Page 6 - A History of Siam

8 PREFACE
there were dozens of independent States in South-
Eastern Asia. To-day there remains but one Siam.
Those who believe in the survival of the fittest will
admit that the Siamese, whatever their faults, must
some which have marked them
possess special qualities
out to maintain this
unique position.
People who are interested in fairies, goblins, giants,
magic talismans, and the like will apt find much to
them in this book. There are of
please plenty super-
natural and events to be met with in native
beings
but I have even at the sacrifice of
histories, preferred,
to stick to facts.
picturesqueness, prosaic
intention was to work to an
My original bring my
end with the accession of the first of the
king dynasty
now For the sake of convenience I have,
reigning.
however, added a brief Supplement, giving the main
events of the of the down to the
history kingdom present
time. I do not consider well to write
myself qualified
a detailed of modern Siam if, however, nobody
history ;
else undertakes the it at
task, I may perhaps attempt
a later date.
I have received a
very great amount of kind assistance,
from Professor G. Coedes and from Mr. G. E.
notably
Harvey, I.C.S. My deepest gratitude is, however, due
to His Royal Highness Prince Damrong Rajanubhab,
whose researches alone have made it for me to
possible
undertake this work, and whose help and advice have
been of incalculable value.

CHIENGMAI,
June 30^, 1924.