DCO Thai Books

An Illustrated Eco-History Of Mekong River Basin

By Tomoya Akimichi

An Illustrated Eco-history of the Mekong River Basin is a broad-ranging study of the interactions transforming people's livelihoods and their environment in this rapidly developing yet ecologically-diverse region. Encompassing scientific material on climate, health and habitat through to social studies on the large number of ethnic groups, the new findings presented here from specialists in a plurality of disciplines reflect the drastic changes of recent times, concomitant with various impulses toward modernization, economic globalization, and sixty years of rapid population growth. Local relationships with the environment have been incessantly restructured and transformed amidst these political and economic upheavals, revealing unique linkages between certain determinants of change. Over sixty international researchers collaborated (specializing in agricultural science, natural resources, ecological science, human ecology, geography, history and anthropology) bringing vitality and depth to the treatment of these complex issues. The book vividly and succinctly reveals an array of interesting and serious issues in the Mekong River basin, and serves as an indispensable guide to the historical ecology of the region.

Paperback
Bangkok 2009
White Lotus
211 pages, Illus. in col., 1 map, 210 x 295 mm
ISBN 9789744801494

The Great Mosque Of Banda Aceh

The Great Mosque Of Banda Aceh by Wilhelmina Bouwsema-Raap

Its History, Architecture And Relationship To The Development Of Islam In Sumatra

This book presents the complete history of the iconic monument of Aceh, Sumatra, a crucial symbol of Acehnese identity. We follow the Great Mosque (Masjid Beit ur-Rahmari) from its first incarnation four centuries ago, during Aceh's Golden Age, through to the local response to colonialism in the 19th century, and the political struggles of recent decades. Aceh became a prominent center for Islamic learning and literature in the 16th century. A new and unique style of Islamic architecture arose during Aceh's Golden Age, under the rule of Sultan Iskandar Muda. In the 19th century, colonial influence resulted in a Christian style replacing the older tradition. However, over time, this was transformed by the Acehnese into one of the most beautiful Islamic hypostyle mosques in the country.

In August 2005, Aceh signed a peace agreement ending the long and violent struggle for independence from the Republic. Now Aceh is flourishing again, as in the 15th and 16th centuries. Bouwsema-Raap's reconstruction of the history of the mosque's different phases takes us from Aceh's position as the most powerful and wealthy state in the region and an international center of trade and Islamic learning, via the Dutch-Colonial period with its territorial aggression and curious cultural policies, up through the first half-century of independent Indonesia, with the long-overdue return of decision-making power over the mosque to the Acehnese themselves.

"In a world struggling with the collapse of rich histories and cultures into politicized fundamentalist stereotypes, and in the space where the disciplines of Southeast Asian Studies and Southeast Asian art history intersect, this book makes a welcome and important contribution." Astri Wright, Professor of Southeast Asian Art History, University of Victoria, BC, Canada.

Paperback
Bangkok 2009
White Lotus
128 pages, illus.
ISBN 9789744801432

Buongiorno Mio Grande Grande Amore

Dave Walker & Richard S. Ehrlich

"Buongiorno Mio Grande Grande Amore!" presenta una ras-segna, mai vista prima, della vita sentimentale delle bar-girls di Bangkok e degli stranieri che le "noleggiano" raccontata dalle loro stesse parole.

Una raccolta di lettere d'amore provenienti da tutto il mondo, scritte alle signore della notte che lavorano nei bar della famosa Patpong Road di Bangkok. Inoltre, le interviste con le donne che le hanno ricevute, ne sono ancora piu profondamente rivelatrici.

Perche alcuni uomini sono ossessionati dalle prostitute Thailan-desi? Puo forse il denaro comperare il vero amore? Come puo fiorire un idillio in mezzo a quelle aspre strade? Le bar-girls si sposano con i loro clienti?

"Buongiorno Mio Grande Grande Amore!" scava al di la delle luci al neon, del luccichio, della eccitazione e della tragedia dei night a luci rosse di Bangkok e mette in luce un mondo di solitudine, disperazione e�qualche volta�di amore.

Paperback
Bangkok 2008
White Lotus
210 pages
ISBN 9789744801340

The Birds Of The Bangkok Area by Philip Round

The Birds Of The Bangkok Area

By Philip Round

Birds of the Bangkok Area is the most thorough account ever of the avifauna of Thailand's Lower Central Plain (Lower Chao Phraya Delta). Comprehensively listing all birds found. 237 species are treated in full biological detail, and illustrated. This book highlights the Bangkok area's surviving freshwater and coastal habitats. Thailand's most important and extensive wetlands, of continued international conservation significance despite their proximity to a mega city.

Drawing widely on historical and contemporary sources, the book describes how changing land use has affected the bird fauna, identifies shortcomings in national conservation polity, and outlines conservation needs. The text is augmented by 48 colour plates, a detailed map and gazetteer of all localities mentioned in the text, and a list of key birdwatching sites.

Both scientifically accurate and readable, the book will be equally interesting to birdwatchers and to academics and environmental professionals.

Paperback
Bangkok 2008
White Lotus
320 pages, 48 pp. illus. in col., 210 x 295 mm.
ISBN 9789744801098

Hello My Big Big Honey! (Deutsche Fassung)

Hello My Big Big Honey! (Deutsche Fassung) von Dave Walker & Richard S. Ehrlich

Liebesbriefe an Bangkok's Barmaedchen und ihre Aussagestarken Interviews

"Hello My Big Big Honey!" ist cine his dahin nie erzahltc Darstellung der Liebesleben von Bangkoker Barmädchen und den Ausländern, von denen die Mädchen gemietet werden�und sich dazu in ihren eigenen Worten hekennen.

Eine Sammlung von Liebesleben aus derganzen Welt, an die Ladies of the Night, die in den Bars von Bangkok's berühmter Patpong-Straße arheiten.

Dazu enthüllende, in die Tiefe gehende Interviews mit den Frauen, die die Briefe empfangen, Warum sind einige Manner so von Thai-Prostituierten besessen? Kann Geld wahre Liehe kaufen? Wie kann inmitten der rauhen Welt der Straße eine Romance blühen? Heiraten Barmädchen ihre Kunden?

"Hello My Big Big Honey!" forscht jenseits der Neonlichter nach, jenseits des Glanzes, cles Werberummels und der Tragödien von Bangkok's rot erleuchteten Nächten und entdeckt eine Welt der Einsam-keit, der Verzweiflung uncl�manchmal�der Liehe.

Paperback
Bangkok 2008
White Lotus
210 pages
ISBN 9789744801333

Flowering Plants Of Thailand: A Field Guide

Flowering Plants Of Thailand : A Field Guide

By Patrick D. McMakin

Flowering Plants of Thailand , Expanded Edition, includes a new chapter and over 60 additional examples of Thailand's most representative flora. Color plates and descriptions of over 500 species make plant identification an enjoyable pastime for serious students, nature lovers, tourists or others who wish to learn the names and characteristics of Thailand's famed flowers. Divided into eight plant communities and easily keyed, this well organized new edition becomes a valuable addition to any library.

Paperback
Bangkok 2009 (4th. revised edition)
White Lotus
203 pages, fully illus. in col.
ISBN 9789744801487

Thailand's Boom and Bust by Pasuk Phongpaichit & Chris Baker

Covering the transformation of a country over one roller-coaster decade. It is about the economics of boom and bust, and also about the politics, the social changes and the popular culture. An updated and completely overhauled version of the successful 1996 book. With two new chapters on the bursting of the bubble and on politics from Chuan to Chavalit. New sections on the BBC scandal, Assembly of the Poor, constitution, illegal economy, Eighth Plan, NGOs, Labour relations, forest politics, pollution, country music and Thai identity.

Paperback
Chiang Mai 1998
Silkworm Books
367 pages
ISBN 9747100576

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Little Angels by Phra Peter Pannapadipo

The stories of twelve Thai novice monks

Phra Peter shed light on the little-known world of Thai novice monks in his latest title: Little Angels. The author begins with the public perception of "nehn", then explains the rules to which they are supposed to adhere while going through their daily activities. Such factual accounts, meant to provide readers with background understanding, are enlivened with amusing anecdotes of the kind which have become Phra Peter's trademark. The message that Phra Peter tries to get across, however, is the "human face" of Thai Buddhism as subtly shown in the real lives of each individual novice featured in the book.

Every story reflects the lives of many rural Thai youths who are trapped in the vicious circle of poverty, illiteracy, broken home and drug abuse. When all else fails, Buddhism becomes their last resort. A temple provides these desperate boys with physical shelter while Dhamma gives them spiritual refuge. It heals their childhood traumas and gives them a moral framework for living, a better outlook on life whether they remain in robes or become laymen.

Paperback
2001 Bangkok
Bangkok Post
292 pages
Colour and B&W Photographs
ISBN 9742280142

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From Ancient Thai To Modern Dialects

By J. Marvin Brown

The standard comparative studies usually stop with phoneme correspondence lists, which show neither the phonological system of the languages nor the systematic nature of the changes. In this book, "transformation charts" of modern phonemes in the ancient arrangement reveals both at a glance. A comparison of a dialects transformation chart with a chart of ancient Thai shows the systematic changes, while the dialect's phonological chart insures he correct interpretation of the phonemic symbols.

These charts, together with a map and a family tree (on fold-out sheets for simultaneous inspection), give a complete view of the phonological history of 60 Thai dialects. For the Thai linguist: A unique wealth of information. For the historical linguist: An ingenious methodology. For the phonologist: A powerful phonological theory. And for the traveler in Thailand: A guide for converting central Thai words into the local pronunciation of nearly every part of the Kingdom. And Other Writings on Historical Thai Linguistics And now, in this reprint, five more of Dr. Brown's writings on historical Thai linguistics have been added to help the reader understand the main book. Also, a short article on Dr. Brown's 'Control Phonology' appears here for the first time. This is the key to understanding all of Dr. Brown's work. It was too far ahead of its time to be published when it was written in 1965. The gap has now narrowed.

Paperback
Bangkok 1985
White Lotus
270 pages, 11 folded charts
ISBN 9789748495071

Child Labor And Child Prostitution In Thailand

Child Labor And Child Prostitution In Thailand: Changing Realities

Studies in Contemporary Thailand No. 18 by Simon Baker

Child Labour and Child Prostitution in Thailand: Changing Realities, explains why there bas been a dramatic decline in Thai child labour numbers. Today, the position of Thai children has never been better. Their lives differ greatly from their grandparents. parents, and even older siblings.

They are fewer, as a proportion of the total population, better educated, and far less likely to be working as child labourers or child prostitutes than at any other time. Changes to the lives of Thai children have taken place over generations, particularly since the late 1980s.

At that time, the onset of an economic boom, combined with fertility declines, resulted in many children no longer working in the rice fields or factories, but in their main occupation: study. This change has and will continue to result in major benefits to Thai society.

Paperback
Bangkok 2007
White Lotus
216 pages, 1 map, 27 pp. charts
ISBN 9789744801166

Thai Mural Painting Vol. 1

Thai Mural Painting Vol. 1: Iconography-Analysis-Guide

By Gerhard Jaiser

Iconography-Analysis-Guide is the first comprehensive survey of all aspects of Thai mural painting. It includes short versions of the most important Buddhist stories extensively illustrated by depictions from temple murals. The historical overview includes all regions and periods, based on materials from nearly 200 temples. Also included are interpretations of the concepts of nine selected examples and a full list of the temples visited. The book is a well-informed introduction, useful for preparing to visit a temple or for consultation on-site. A second volume deals with the most important subjects of temple painting - everyday life, nature, the depiction of foreigners, and so forth - a topic not yet adequately explored. Further volumes will treat painting techniques, the influence from other cultures on Thai mural paintings, and related subjects.

Paperback
Bangkok 2009
White Lotus
240 pages, illus. 24 pp. in col.
ISBN 9789744801456

Red vs. Yellow Volume 1 by Nick Nostitz

Red vs. Yellow Volume 1

By Nick Nostitz

Red vs. Yellow, Volume 1: Thailand's crisis of identity describes, both in photos and in text, the political turmoil and violent street protests that took place during the first elected administration in Thailand after the 2006/2007 coup period, its government led by the PPP (People Power Party) a place holder party of the TRT (Thai Rak Thai) which had been ousted by the military coup. The anti-government and nationalist-royalist PAD ( People's Alliance for Democracy) entered Government House, the seat of Thailand�s cabinet, and occupied it for months, before its protests culminated in the invasion of Bangkok's airports, the dissolution of the PPP and the overthrow of the government by forces seen as sympathetic to the PAD.

In the course of the year the police, the PAD and their opponents - the Red shirts, an alliance of government supporters and pro-democracy groups - clashed on several occasions. Incidents involving at times shocking violence laid bare Thailand's long neglected social, political and regional divisions and left it a deeply unstable nation. Nick Nostitz covers this significant period of Thai History from the center of events. His articles on which this book is based caused considerable controversy when first published.

The second volume will be published at a later date, and describes the events of 2009 , including the clashes in Bangkok over the Songkran Holiday.

Paperback
Bangkok 2009
White Lotus
158 pages, fully illus., in col.
ISBN 9789744801500

The Rice Birds

The Rice Birds: Folktales from Thailand

By Christian & Katrin Velder

This book presents stories of adventurous humans, bloodsucking demons, and righteous gods. The tales introduce readers to strange rituals, mysterious visitations, and magic incantations. They offer explanations for many animal traits, for natural disasters, and for the origin of various Thai proverbs. Based on an ancient oral tradition. the tales deal with such archetypal themes as the helpful talking animal, paradise lost and regained, and the struggle between good and evil. Among more than fifty illustrations are depictions of a peculiar tiger-eating monster, a scheming water demon, and two lovely princesses with elephant noses. Also portrayed are the Fairy of Good Fortune; Phra Phrom, a Thai deity with four faces; and even the Buddha on his visits to earth.

Paperback
Bangkok 2003
White Lotus
379 pages, 25 pp. illus.
ISBN 9789744800299

Samuel Reynolds House Of Siam

Samuel Reynolds House Of Siam by George Haws Feltus

Pioneer Medical Missionary 1847-1876

Samuel Reynolds House of Siam, Pioneer Medical Missionary 1847-1876 gives us a record of life in the time of King Mongkut's rule and the beginning of King Chulalongkorn's reign. Dr. House travelled extensively and we see Siam through the eyes of a missionary who also practiced medicine.

He describes his encounters with other missionaries and the not so numerous other foreigners living in Siam at that time.His medical profession gave him access to many Thais he would otherwise not have met. During cholera Epidemic of 1849 he started vaccinating children, a novelty at that time in Thailand. He gives a vivid description of the situation in Bangkok with daily deaths. At the middle of the 19th century Chiang Mai was not yet fully colonized by Bangkok and still had some independence and was called Laos. The King of Lanna (or Laos) at that time was not in favor of missionaries and tried to suppress them. But at the instructions of King Mongkut he had to let them work, because he had to follow orders from Bangkok. But at least he decreed that they were not allowed to teach religion or to convert anyone to Christianity. The value of such books by missionaries is that they shed some light on otherwise ignored events. The essential material in this book has been drawn from the letters and journal of Dr. House and supplemented by correspondence with various individuals connected with the principal persons mentioned.

Paperback
Bangkok 2007
White Lotus
256 pages
ISBN 9789744801210

Samurai Of Ayutthaya by Cesare Polenghi

Yamada Nagamasa, Japanese Warrior And Merchant In Early Seventeenth Century Siam

Samurai of Ayutthaya : Yamada Nagamasa, narrates the life and the times of a unique historical character : a mysterious Japanese merchant-warrior who made his fame and fortune in the bustling city that was Ayutthaya in the early seventeenth century. His deeds - historical and fictional - have been narrated in Japan for more than three hundred years. This study is the first published in English to bring together all extant available material about Yamada Nagamasa to finally cast light on this intriguing character and the historical landscape that surrounded him during a unique period of Siamese and Japanese history.

Paperback
Bangkok 2008
White Lotus
91 pages, 2 pp. illus.
ISBN 9789744801470

Temples of Gold by Santi Leksukhum and Gilles Mermet

Temples of Gold by Santi Leksukhum - Photographs by Gilles Mermet

Seven Centuries of Thai Buddhist Paintings

The exuberant wall paintings found in the Buddhist temples of Thailand enchant the eye and spirit with their subtle colour, lyrical line, and vivid depiction of mythological and secular scenes inspired by ancient texts. These little-known masterpieces, reproduced here in exquisite detail, speak to us across the centuries with joy, humor and grace.

Santi Leksukhum�s text traces the complex history of these paintings. It examines the development of their distinctive style, from the arrival of Buddhism, to the overwhelming influence of the royal workshops of Bangkok and the incorporation of Western techniques as Thailand opened to the West in the mid-nineteenth century.

The renowned French photographer Gilles Mermet made several expeditions to Thailand to photograph these magnificent murals especially for this volume. An appendix recounts the major Buddhist texts, including the Three Worlds, the Ten Great Jatakas, or birth tales, and the Life of the Historical Buddha. The book will fascinate art lovers, students of Buddhism, cultural historians, armchair travelers, and all who want to enter the enchanted world of a rarely seen civilization.

Hard Cover
Large Format
River Books
264 pages
Over 300 Colour Illustrations
ISBN 9748225623

Muay Thai by Panya Kraitus and Dr. Pitisuk Kraitus

Muay Thai The Text-Book of Pahuyuth by Panya Kraitus and Dr. Pitisuk Kraitus

The Most Distinguished Art of Fighting

A must buy for serious students of the sport and art of Muay Thai or Thai boxing. This large, well illustrated book covers the history and traditions of the sport, the rules, both amateur and professional, but most of all it covers the coaching of all the moves both offensive and defensive by an acknowledged master.

"I am afraid that I am getting old so time is running short for me. I have no prospect of writing a complete manual of Muay Thai which has always been my ambition Panya. I will teach you all I know so that you could pass it on to the others ..." Supreme Master Ket Sriyapai, 1978.

Thai boxing (Muay Thai) is everything combined into one, as it is a sport, a form of martial skill, a king of science, and undeniably an art form. It has been handed down through generations for over 2,000 years. It has even spread its root to ancient China which eagerly adapted it to their own style and culture. It is a science which could be practiced by the general people. It could introduce them to the world of courage and will to fight. Thai boxing has seen its ups and downs. Sometimes it is considered a valuable cultural heritage, sometimes it was in decline; depending on the patronage of the Thai rulers at a particular time.

From the preface:
When the traditional sarama music sounds in the ring, it is recognized as a symbol of deference and respect. a sense of gratitude toward those who have helped to form him causes the boxer's thoughts to turn back to his esteemed teacher, who instilled in him a knowledge of the Thai boxer's art. He also thinks of his parents, who gave him life. This gentleness is part of the true art of Thai boxing, and is expressed in the wai khruu, or Ceremony of Paying Homage to the Teacher.

Hard Cover
Large Format
7th. edition
Phuket 1999
244 pages
Illustrated
ISBN 9748684199

Doing Thailand by Neils Mulder

Doing Thailand: The Anthropologist As A Young Dog In Bangkok In The 1960s

By Niels Mulder

Doing Thailand: The Anthropologist As a Young Dog in Bangkok in the 1960s is the often hilarious tale of an aspiring researcher struggling to find his footing in bewildering Bangkok. Based on raw data and experiences that tend to lose their flavor through ivory-tower manipulation, the narrative offers glimpses on the Thai capital before the advent of traffic jams, life at the time of the war in Vietnam, the academic fashions of the day, and the pitfalls of doing 'field work'. At the same time the book provides insights into things Thai that will be enlarged upon in the follow-up when the young man has grown to be a professional. A devastatingly honest account of experiences we all share and mostly gloss over.

Paperback
Bangkok 2008
White Lotus
122 pages, 8 pp. in col.
ISBN 9789744800992

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Low's Mission To Southern Siam 1824

By Anthony Farrington

Low's Mission to Southern Siam 1824 was meant to enlist Siamese support for the British invasion of Burma. His mission was a failure, but the report he produced, published here in full for the first time, provides a fascinating picture of the whole area. The Andaman Sea coast of Thailand, from Phuket to the Malaysian border, is now one of the greatest tourist regions in the world. One hundred and eighty years ago it was known only to its small local population, to a few annual traders for birds' nests and tin, and to a scattering of Siamese officials.

James Low (1791-1852), an officer of the English East India Company's Madras Army, stationed at Penang, was an early student of the Thai language.

Paperback
Bangkok 2007
White Lotus
136 pages
ISBN 9789744801029

Travels In Siam Cambodia, Laos and Annam Vol. 2

Travels In Siam, Cambodia, Laos and Annam Vol. 2 by Henri Mouhot

Natural History Observations

Originally published as Travels in the Central Parts of lndo-China: Siam, Cambodia and Laos during the Years 1858, 1859 and 1860, is a classic description of parts of Cambodia, Laos, and Siam in the Reign of King Mongkut. Volume 2 covers his scientific research: New Species of Mammals, Reptiles, Fresh-Water Fishes, Insects, and Shells, Atmospherical Observations, Translations of Chinese tales and fables, The Damier, or Cape Pigeon, and The Albatross. As well as Cambodian vocabulary, letters from M. Mouhot, letters addressed to M. Mouhot, letters addressed to the family of M. Mouhot and a paper read at the Royal Geographical Society. Volume 1 covers the travelogue.

Henri Mouhot is best known for re-discovering the ruins of Angkor Wat and, indirectly, causing a minor tourist boom there. Of course, the Khmers have always known about the ruins. Mouhot was a natural history researcher and explorer in virgin areas. He was followed in the later 1860s and 1880s by the Gamier and Pavie Missions. His exploration first comprised the central area of Siam and the southeastern seaboard (Chantaburi). From there he reached Cambodia and the provinces then under the control of the Siamese Government around the Tonle Sap. He also ventured into areas of Annam (present-day Central Vietnam) inhabited by "wild" tribes but returned to Battambang and Angkor, and eventually to Bangkok. Another journey took him to Petchaburi on the eastern part of the upper peninsula.

His last journey, (because he was struck down by fever), covered the so-called Lao parts of Siam, now referred to as Isan, but at that time only loosely associated with Siam. His final destination was Luang Prabang, where he is buried. A description of part of his journey was originally published in the travel magazine Le Tour du Monde, but the present English version is more comprehensive in coverage.

Paperback
Bangkok 2009
White Lotus
142 pages, 3 pp. illus.
ISBN 9789744801388