Siam Society

Scope and Content

Material from the interaction of the Siam Society and the Royal Asiatic Society. These are:

  • Letter from the President, Royal Asiatic Society, to H.H. Prince Dhani Nivat, President, Siam Society, to congratulate the Siam Society on its Jubilee. Typed, dated 18 February 1954.
  • "Siam Society - 75 years" - printed pamphlet produced to mark the 75th anniversary of the Siam Society in 1979.
  • Letter from D.J. Duncanson, Director, Royal Asiatic Society, to The President, Siam Society, to send the commemorative publication celebrating 150 years of the Royal Asiatic Society. Typed, dated 27 May 1980.

Administrative / Biographical History

The Siam Society Under Royal Patronage was established in 1904 with a mission to promote knowledge of the culture, history, arts and natural sciences of Thailand as well as those of neighbouring countries. The Society's activities are guided by its motto: "Knowledge Gives Rise to Friendship" and it welcomes visitors of all nationalities, including non-members, to visit its facilities and join its activities.

The Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland was founded by the eminent Sanskrit scholar Sir Henry Thomas Colebrooke on the 15th March 1823. It received its Royal Charter from King George IV on the 11th August 1824 'for the investigation of subjects connected with and for the encouragement of science, literature and the arts in relation to Asia'. It continues as a forum for those who are interested in the languages, cultures and history of Asia to meet and exchange ideas.

Access Information

Open. Please contact the archivist using the email address given here. The archive is open on Tuesdays and Fridays 10-5, and Thursdays 2-5. Access is to any researcher without appointment but it will help if an appointment is made via phone or email. Please bring photo ID.

Acquisition Information

The material is part of the institutional records of the Society from its dealings with other organisations.

Archivist's Note

The material was catalogued by Nancy Charley, RAS Archivist, in 2019.

Conditions Governing Use

Digital photography (without flash) for research purposes may be permitted upon completion of a copyright declaration form, and with respect to current UK copyright law.

Custodial History

These papers were sent and received by the Royal Asiatic Society in the course of its business.

Related Material

The Journal of the Siam Society forms part of this Society's Collections. More details can be found here.

Geographical Names