Delay and deception in Thai–British diplomatic encounters of the early nineteenth century ANDREW T U RTO N

Records of diplomatic encounters between Siamese (Thai) and British in the early nineteenth century are a rich field for anthropological examination of forms of indirect communication, and the notion of indirect communication itself. The British embassy to Siam in 1821 was the first European mission to that country for nearly 150 years. It signalled a new relation starting from a low point of mutual ignorance and mistrust. The period of diplomatic activity began with (indirect) accusations of spying and planning invasion on the one hand, and attributions of barbarism, despotism and ‘national vanity’ on the other. It culminated, between 1855-7, with an exchange of embassies, the signing of a treaty, and the reception of the English-speaking Siamese Ambassador at Windsor by Queen Victoria.2