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Travels in the Central Parts of Indo-China (Siam), Cambodia, and Laos: During the Years 1858, 1859, and 1860
This is a reproduction of the original artefact. Generally these books are created from careful scans of the original. This allows us to preserve the book accurately and present it in the way the author intended. Since the original versions are generally quite old, there may occasionally be certain imperfections within these reproductions. We're happy to make these classics available again for future generations to enjoy!
342 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1863
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 2, 2017
Reading this book was worth spending our time since Henri Mouhot, a French naturalist, wrote frankly based on his observations, direct experiences and authoritative references on Siam (Thailand now) 154-156 years ago while traveling in search of those rare insects, fishes, reptiles, etc. along his wild, lush and adventurous terrains for three years.
First, some extracts from his narration on the King:
First, some extracts from his narration on the King:
Most of the Europeans in Bangkok were present at the dinner, and enthusiastic toasts were drunk to the health of his Majesty, who, instead of being seated, stood or walked round the table, chewing betel and addressing some pleasant observation to each of his guests in turn. The repast was served in a vast hall, from whence we could see a platoon of the royal guard, with flags and drums, drawn up in the courtyard. When I went to take leave of the King, he graciously presented me with a little bag of green silk, containing some of the gold and silver coin of the country, -- a courtesy which was most unexpected, and for which I expressed my gratitude. (pp. 48-49)
… His Majesty had also acquired a fair knowledge of Latin from the French missionaries, especially from Archbishop Pallegoix, who has been his friend for thirty years. He studied astronomy almost without a master, and had gained such proficiency in that science as to be able to calculate an eclipse and determine the latitude and longitude of a place. He introduced a printing-press into his dominions, in which both Siamese and Roman characters are used. His language testifies to his education and intelligence, though it more resembles the phraseology of books than that of ordinary conversation. (p. 50)
Second, on his experience encountering an incredibly amazing phenomenon at sea near Chantaboun:… For the last half-hour we were indebted solely to our oars for the little progress made, being exposed to all the glare of a burning sun; and the atmosphere was heavy and suffocating. All of a sudden, to my great astonishment, the water began to be agitated, and our light boat was tossed about by the waves. I knew not what to think, and was seriously alarmed, when our pilot called out, “Look how the sea boils!” Turning in the direction indicated, I beheld the sea really in a state of ebullition, and very shortly afterwards an immense jet of water and steam, which lasted for several minutes, was thrown into the air. I had never before witnessed such a phenomenon, and was now no longer astonished at the powerful smell of sulphur which had nearly overpowered me in Ko-Man. It was really a submarine volcano, which burst out more than a mile from the place where we had anchored three days before. (p. 151)
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April 13, 2019I gave up on this. Although it has some fascinating passages, the author was just too racist for me to stomache.
July 19, 2014
If you can stomach the blatant racism and false notions of the virtue of Imperialism, reading the journals of 19th century naturalists and explorers can be fascinating for modern day travelers. I will say that Mouhot’s work is less offensive than many of his contemporaries in this regard (e.g. the eugenicist polymath Francis Galton.) That is to say, he tries to be objective, and—when he fails--his condescension is as likely to be vaguely complimentary as not (e.g. noting certain “savages” are surprisingly intelligent.) However, one should remember that this is the journal of a journey that took place in years corresponding to the lead up to the American Civil War. (I should note that these snooty inclinations toward superiority aren’t uniquely Western, the Chinese diplomat Zhou Daguan also viewed the Southeast Asian people with condescension.)
Alexander Henri Mouhot left London on April 27th of 1858, traveled to and throughout Southeast Asia, and died in the jungle on November 10, 1861. The journal was received by the explorer’s brother, Charles Mouhot, who is responsible for seeing it published, and for adding some front matter as well as tying up the end of the journal because Henri Mouhot died fairly abruptly of a feverish ailment that he contracted in the jungle.
In many ways, Mouhot’s work is similar to Daguan’s 14th century Record of Cambodia. Mouhot covers a lot more ground, but they both chronicle the natural, cultural, and commercial environment of these lands. Mouhot prides himself in being a naturalist, and he writes quite a bit about the diverse flora and fauna of these lands as well as of the geography. Mouhot collected many specimens of plants and animals that were unknown in his native France. About mid journey, he lost his collection to a maritime accident. However, he was able to reacquire some of these specimens in the latter portion of his journey.
Mouhot writes extensively about the locals and their customs. As I already suggested, these descriptions are often highly biased. For example, he tends to refer to the indigenous spiritual beliefs of the locals as “superstitions” while he bemoans the fact that these people are “living and dying in utter ignorance of the only true God!” However, for the most part he tries to maintain a scholarly detachment, and often he is complimentary of the local people (e.g. his apparent surprise that some of hill people would be offended by being referred to as savages is an example of his benign condescension.)
Also like Daguan, he discusses the possibilities for trade. It’s clear that one of his intended audiences are those interested in the commercial potential of the region. He writes both about what natural resources these nations contain, and what products they might be sold. He is ambiguous about the local market for European goods, first skeptical and then sanguine. He says that the locals don’t have much need for the goods produced in Europe, but then he suggests that the wealthier individuals do like to emulate European style and fashions. Perhaps, he is saying there are potential consumers among the small slice of wealthy individuals, but that is a limited market. Of course, the desire for commodities from Asia in conjunction with the wish to avoid drawing down precious metals reserves (i.e. forcing Asians to buy Western products) was no small cause of Imperialist shenanigans during that time period.
Among the most interesting chapters are those on Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom. In these chapters, one receives an account of the state of Angkor between Daguan’s era (when the Angkor civilization was still active) and a modern-day Angkor that exists in the wake of successive waves of pillaging by the French (and other treasure hunters), the Khmer Rouge, and Vietnamese soldiers.
Mouhot was also interested in whether Jews had settled and integrated in the area. His theory was that there likely were. He says he sees a “Hebrew character” in some faces, but he acknowledges there is no hard evidence to support his belief and that the locals deny such a presence.
I guess the intrigue in Mouhot’s journal is a picture of this region during an era in which the world was not yet homogenized. Now when one travels to “remote villages,” one often sees people wearing the same mass-produced Western clothing that one sees at home, and they sit around with their smart-phones ignoring each other as at home. Mouhot’s era was one in which one traveled by elephant, boat, or by foot and often advanced no more than ten miles in a day in the jungle. It was an era of discovery. This may account for some of the xenophobic biases of that time; the ways of other people were new.
Alexander Henri Mouhot left London on April 27th of 1858, traveled to and throughout Southeast Asia, and died in the jungle on November 10, 1861. The journal was received by the explorer’s brother, Charles Mouhot, who is responsible for seeing it published, and for adding some front matter as well as tying up the end of the journal because Henri Mouhot died fairly abruptly of a feverish ailment that he contracted in the jungle.
In many ways, Mouhot’s work is similar to Daguan’s 14th century Record of Cambodia. Mouhot covers a lot more ground, but they both chronicle the natural, cultural, and commercial environment of these lands. Mouhot prides himself in being a naturalist, and he writes quite a bit about the diverse flora and fauna of these lands as well as of the geography. Mouhot collected many specimens of plants and animals that were unknown in his native France. About mid journey, he lost his collection to a maritime accident. However, he was able to reacquire some of these specimens in the latter portion of his journey.
Mouhot writes extensively about the locals and their customs. As I already suggested, these descriptions are often highly biased. For example, he tends to refer to the indigenous spiritual beliefs of the locals as “superstitions” while he bemoans the fact that these people are “living and dying in utter ignorance of the only true God!” However, for the most part he tries to maintain a scholarly detachment, and often he is complimentary of the local people (e.g. his apparent surprise that some of hill people would be offended by being referred to as savages is an example of his benign condescension.)
Also like Daguan, he discusses the possibilities for trade. It’s clear that one of his intended audiences are those interested in the commercial potential of the region. He writes both about what natural resources these nations contain, and what products they might be sold. He is ambiguous about the local market for European goods, first skeptical and then sanguine. He says that the locals don’t have much need for the goods produced in Europe, but then he suggests that the wealthier individuals do like to emulate European style and fashions. Perhaps, he is saying there are potential consumers among the small slice of wealthy individuals, but that is a limited market. Of course, the desire for commodities from Asia in conjunction with the wish to avoid drawing down precious metals reserves (i.e. forcing Asians to buy Western products) was no small cause of Imperialist shenanigans during that time period.
Among the most interesting chapters are those on Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom. In these chapters, one receives an account of the state of Angkor between Daguan’s era (when the Angkor civilization was still active) and a modern-day Angkor that exists in the wake of successive waves of pillaging by the French (and other treasure hunters), the Khmer Rouge, and Vietnamese soldiers.
Mouhot was also interested in whether Jews had settled and integrated in the area. His theory was that there likely were. He says he sees a “Hebrew character” in some faces, but he acknowledges there is no hard evidence to support his belief and that the locals deny such a presence.
I guess the intrigue in Mouhot’s journal is a picture of this region during an era in which the world was not yet homogenized. Now when one travels to “remote villages,” one often sees people wearing the same mass-produced Western clothing that one sees at home, and they sit around with their smart-phones ignoring each other as at home. Mouhot’s era was one in which one traveled by elephant, boat, or by foot and often advanced no more than ten miles in a day in the jungle. It was an era of discovery. This may account for some of the xenophobic biases of that time; the ways of other people were new.
December 24, 2020
เล่มนี้ผมว่าได้อารมณ์เป็นการบันทึก การเดินทาง ของคุณปู่ อ็องรี มูโอ ช่วงที่เดินทางเข้ามาสำรวจพื้นที่ แถบๆ อินโดจีน (สยาม , กัมพูชา , ลาว) ในช่วงรัชกาลที่ 4 ของ ราชวงศ์จักรี
ซึ่งแกได้บันทึกเกือบทุกอย่างที่แกได้ประสบพบเจอ ตั้งแต่ พันธ์พืช แมลง สัตว์ ชนิดต่างๆ ลักษณะหน้าตา ความเป็นอยู่ของคนที่อาศัยในแถบนี้ การค้า ทรัพยากรต่างๆ โบราณสถานและอื่นๆอีกมากมาย
ในดินแดนแถบนี้ ซึ่งจากการบันทึกทุกสิ่งทุกอย่างของคุณปู่อ็องรีนี้ ทำให้บันทึกเล่มนี้มันสามารถ สะท้อนความเป็นอยู่ของผู้คนในสมัยนั้น ให้ชนรุ่นหลังได้เห็นภาพ วิถีชีวิต ความเป็นอยู่ของผู้คน โครงสร้างอำนาจ รวมถึง ด้านภูมิศาสตร์ ลักษณะของเมืองต่างๆในสมัยนั้น ได้ค่อนข้างชัดเจน
(สะท้อนภาพจริงๆ เพราะแกมีถ่ายภาพ มีวาดรูป สเก๊ตช์ เอาไว้ด้วย)
แต่เนื่องจากผ่านกรอบแว่นของชนเผ่าที่คิดว่าตัวเองมีความเจริญและมีอารยะมากกว่า และดันบันทึกด้วยอารมณ์ที่พูดตรงๆไม่อ้อมค้อม จึงอาจจะทำให้ ผู้อ่านที่อาศัยอยู่ในประเทศแถบนี้รู้สึกหมั่นไส้ในทัศนะคติของความเป็นชนชาติเจ้าอาณานิคมได้
แต่หากวางความหมั่นไส้ได้ ถือว่าเราได้เรียนรู้อะไรจากแกเยอะเลยครับ
นอกจากบันทึกเล่มนี้จะมีคุณค่าทางประวัติศาสตร์แล้ว ด้วยการเขียนแบบเป็นกันเองไม่ได้ใส่อะไรที่เป็นวิชาการ แถมแกยังเป็นคนชอบ ผจญภัย เพราะฉนั้นมันเป็นหนังสือที่อ่านสนุก ราวกับนิยายผจญภัยเล่มนึงครับ
โดยที่มีคุณปู่แกเป็นพระเอก ไปเผชิญเรื่องราวต่างๆนาๆ อ่านบางครั้งผมนี่แวบคิดถึง เพชรพระอุมาเลย 555 (ตอนช่วงแรกๆที่ออกเดินทางของคณะรพินทร์อ่ะครับ) ซึ่งคิดในแง่นี้ก็อ่านสนุกใช้ได้ครับ หรือจะคิดว่าเป็น บันทึกการเดินทางอารมณ์ประมาณ New York First Time ก็ไอ้อรรถรสไม่แพ้กันครับ
เล่มนี้ อยากให้ลองอ่านกันครับผม
ปล. แกชื่นชมนครวัดมาก เขียนอวยจนอยากจะไปเที่ยวปราสาทนครวัดเลยครับ ตั้งแต่เกิดมายังไม่เคยได้ไปยลของจริงเลย
ซึ่งแกได้บันทึกเกือบทุกอย่างที่แกได้ประสบพบเจอ ตั้งแต่ พันธ์พืช แมลง สัตว์ ชนิดต่างๆ ลักษณะหน้าตา ความเป็นอยู่ของคนที่อาศัยในแถบนี้ การค้า ทรัพยากรต่างๆ โบราณสถานและอื่นๆอีกมากมาย
ในดินแดนแถบนี้ ซึ่งจากการบันทึกทุกสิ่งทุกอย่างของคุณปู่อ็องรีนี้ ทำให้บันทึกเล่มนี้มันสามารถ สะท้อนความเป็นอยู่ของผู้คนในสมัยนั้น ให้ชนรุ่นหลังได้เห็นภาพ วิถีชีวิต ความเป็นอยู่ของผู้คน โครงสร้างอำนาจ รวมถึง ด้านภูมิศาสตร์ ลักษณะของเมืองต่างๆในสมัยนั้น ได้ค่อนข้างชัดเจน
(สะท้อนภาพจริงๆ เพราะแกมีถ่ายภาพ มีวาดรูป สเก๊ตช์ เอาไว้ด้วย)
แต่เนื่องจากผ่านกรอบแว่นของชนเผ่าที่คิดว่าตัวเองมีความเจริญและมีอารยะมากกว่า และดันบันทึกด้วยอารมณ์ที่พูดตรงๆไม่อ้อมค้อม จึงอาจจะทำให้ ผู้อ่านที่อาศัยอยู่ในประเทศแถบนี้รู้สึกหมั่นไส้ในทัศนะคติของความเป็นชนชาติเจ้าอาณานิคมได้
แต่หากวางความหมั่นไส้ได้ ถือว่าเราได้เรียนรู้อะไรจากแกเยอะเลยครับ
นอกจากบันทึกเล่มนี้จะมีคุณค่าทางประวัติศาสตร์แล้ว ด้วยการเขียนแบบเป็นกันเองไม่ได้ใส่อะไรที่เป็นวิชาการ แถมแกยังเป็นคนชอบ ผจญภัย เพราะฉนั้นมันเป็นหนังสือที่อ่านสนุก ราวกับนิยายผจญภัยเล่มนึงครับ
โดยที่มีคุณปู่แกเป็นพระเอก ไปเผชิญเรื่องราวต่างๆนาๆ อ่านบางครั้งผมนี่แวบคิดถึง เพชรพระอุมาเลย 555 (ตอนช่วงแรกๆที่ออกเดินทางของคณะรพินทร์อ่ะครับ) ซึ่งคิดในแง่นี้ก็อ่านสนุกใช้ได้ครับ หรือจะคิดว่าเป็น บันทึกการเดินทางอารมณ์ประมาณ New York First Time ก็ไอ้อรรถรสไม่แพ้กันครับ
เล่มนี้ อยากให้ลองอ่านกันครับผม
ปล. แกชื่นชมนครวัดมาก เขียนอวยจนอยากจะไปเที่ยวปราสาทนครวัดเลยครับ ตั้งแต่เกิดมายังไม่เคยได้ไปยลของจริงเลย
October 2, 2024
This book contains a portion of racism, but is not defined by it. In fact, when it comes to cultural traditions that the writer discovers, he is more often respectful. The racist parts tend to be the reflections at the end of chapters, where he says 'wouldn't it be great if white men helped them out?' His point that local despots are bad for the country and peoples is far from wrong though.
The main problem with this book (given that I went in expecting a bit of the above) is the dryness of the descriptions. I understand there are no photos, but the precise dimensions of each Wat or other building, down to the centimetre is mind-numbingly dull.
Still, I came here for a general impression of what the area was like at the time, an actual first-person perspective (albeit occasionally imperialistic, but again, that is usually in the 'analysis' at the end of chapters). You can tell when the writer is in a good or bad mood. There is some observations of the difference between one area and another, one tribe and another.
It is far from a perfect book, but it is free to read on Gutenburg, and it achieves something of what it was attempting to do.
The main problem with this book (given that I went in expecting a bit of the above) is the dryness of the descriptions. I understand there are no photos, but the precise dimensions of each Wat or other building, down to the centimetre is mind-numbingly dull.
Still, I came here for a general impression of what the area was like at the time, an actual first-person perspective (albeit occasionally imperialistic, but again, that is usually in the 'analysis' at the end of chapters). You can tell when the writer is in a good or bad mood. There is some observations of the difference between one area and another, one tribe and another.
It is far from a perfect book, but it is free to read on Gutenburg, and it achieves something of what it was attempting to do.
August 7, 2017
เขียนได้ดี อ่านสนุก เนื้อหาทรงคุณค่า และแลกมาด้วยชีวิต
March 9, 2019
หนังสือบันทึกการเดินทางที่เล่าเรื่องราวของสยามในเวลานั้นได้ดีมาก เป็นมุมมองจากนักสำรวจ นักเดินทาง นักธรรมชาติวิทยา นักภาษา ไม่ใช่ทหารหรือนักบวช จึงได้เห็นมุมมองที่แตกต่างจากที่เคยได้รับรู้
January 14, 2024
อ่านแล้วทำให้เห็นภาพสยามที่ไม่เคยเห็น ขอบคุณที่เข้ามาสำรวจดินแดนอันลี้ลับผืนนี้ครับ
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March 30, 2025A fascinating historical document, albeit one occassionaly marred by the racism and pseudoscience so emblematic of it's time.
May 12, 2025
In 1858, French colonists began moving into what is now Vietnam, referring to it as Cochin China. In an effort to learn more about that region, a 32-year-old French naturalist named Henri Mouhot began exploring Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. Traveling on elephants or on foot, he collected numerous samples of newly discovered insects and plants, often relying on local Christian missionaries to introduce him to native people. Overcoming the alternating wet and dry seasons, he struggled through jungles that would soon become French Indochina. In fact, Mouhot became so wrapped up in his studies that he never came home. His diaries continued right up to his final fever and death in 1861, after which his brother Charles assembled and published them.
The book is fascinating for multiple reasons. Mouhot met and interviewed all kinds of people, including the kings of Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. He observed village life and wild animals before they were forever changed by European colonization. He documents plagues of mosquitos, white ants, and leeches, and he often faced attacks from tigers and other predators. On one occasion, he also witnessed a little band of monkeys who held hands in a chain while hanging down to taunt a hungry crocodile in the water below.
He heard that the United States was starting a civil war that would interrupt the world cotton market, and he speculated that French plantations in Cochin China could keep the British from securing a monopoly on that crop while the American supply was cut off. He also sympathized with the local Asian people and imagined how their lives might improve if slavery could be abolished in their society.
The diaries are ultimately incomplete, declining into abbreviated entries as the author apparently began to decline in health. They do, however, cover much of the region that the author intended to visit. Mouhot's narrative is also richly illustrated with his own sketches, with his visit to Angkor Wat being particularly memorable.
For those interested in pre-colonial Southeast Asia, Mouhot's two volumes of travel diaries are a uniquely valuable source.
The book is fascinating for multiple reasons. Mouhot met and interviewed all kinds of people, including the kings of Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. He observed village life and wild animals before they were forever changed by European colonization. He documents plagues of mosquitos, white ants, and leeches, and he often faced attacks from tigers and other predators. On one occasion, he also witnessed a little band of monkeys who held hands in a chain while hanging down to taunt a hungry crocodile in the water below.
He heard that the United States was starting a civil war that would interrupt the world cotton market, and he speculated that French plantations in Cochin China could keep the British from securing a monopoly on that crop while the American supply was cut off. He also sympathized with the local Asian people and imagined how their lives might improve if slavery could be abolished in their society.
The diaries are ultimately incomplete, declining into abbreviated entries as the author apparently began to decline in health. They do, however, cover much of the region that the author intended to visit. Mouhot's narrative is also richly illustrated with his own sketches, with his visit to Angkor Wat being particularly memorable.
For those interested in pre-colonial Southeast Asia, Mouhot's two volumes of travel diaries are a uniquely valuable source.
May 1, 2008
Got to really love Asian history to get much out of this one....
January 1, 2015
If you want to read an incredibly politically incorrect first-hand account of traveling through Southeast Asia as a 19th-c. European imperialist, then this is the book for you!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews