Siamese state ceremonies

By H. G. Quaritch Wales

Subjects: General, Thailand, politics and government, Ethnic Studies, Rites and ceremonies, Manners and customs, HISTORY, SOCIAL SCIENCE, Social life and customs, Thailand, Southeast Asia, Thailand, religion, Rites et cérémonies

Description: Wales had a unique access to the royal court of Siam and his book describes the royal rituals which were carried out by Brahminical priests in Bangkok. As he says Brahminical Hinduism predated Buddhism which was the religion of the common people. The book considers rituals of coronation and funerals, agricultural rituals, taboos such as on foods and the personal names of the King, among other topics. There is no other account of these important rituals in Thailand amd Wales' account is a serious and professional one, based on his own privileged access.