SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION WAR BACKGROUND STUDIES NUMBER EIGHT SIAM--LAND OF FREE MEN By H. G. DEIGNAN (Publication 3703) CITY OF WASHINGTON PUBLISHED BY THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION FEBRUARY 5, 1943 The Lord Baltimore Press BALTIMORE, MD., U. S. A. CONTENTS Geography Peoples Prehistory Kingdom of Sukhothai-Sawankhalok Kingdom of Ayuthia Kingdom of Tonburi Kingdom of Siam Thailand ILLUSTRATIONS PLATES 1. 1, Gorge of the Me Ping 2, Ancient wall at Chiengmai 2. 1, A monolith in the Me Ping gorge 2, Boat being pulled upstream through the rapids by ropes 3. 1, The "mai kwao," tree that yields gum resin 2, Transplanting young rice plants 4. 1, Fishing from the roadsides after the rains 2, Water buffalo 5. 1, A primitive type of cart 2, Elephants breaking up a log jam 6. 1, Small river boats, and bamboo water wheel 2, A temple 7. 1, A reliquary 2, The high altar of a Buddhist shrine 8. 1, Royalty visits Chiengmai 2, A princely funeral at Chiengmai TEXT FIGURE 1. Map of Siam [Illustration: FIG. 1.--Map of Siam.] SIAM--LAND OF FREE MEN By H. G. DEIGNAN _Associate Curator, Division of Birds_ _U. S. National Museum_ (WITH 8 PLATES)