This is a book which spans the history of Siam or Thailand from the ninth to the twentieth century the author's purpose is to illustrate his thoughts on. and perhaps to propose a framework for, an intellectual history of Thailand. Since 1977, he has argued that there is an intellectual history of South East Asia to be studied but, since others did not take up his challenge, he has presented us here with what may be called a draft agenda for the subject in relation to Thailand. Superficially it may seem a slight work but its aim is to stimulate thought. One hopes it may encourage scholars to debate the issue and work to fill some of the gaps in our understanding of the people and the place, and thus move forward the study of the intellectual history of Thailand.