Siamese state ceremonies

the long version

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.