The Straits of Malacca, Siam and Indo-China: Travels and Adventures of a Nineteenth-century Photographer (Oxford in Asia Hardback Reprints)

First published in 1875, this is the first part of a volume which also includes travels in China. This volume describes John Thomson's travels in Malaya--from Penang to Singapore--Siam, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Thomson's observations are acute, his style easy, and the whole makes very agreeable and entertaining reading. Balmer focuses the reader's attention on Thomson's role as one of the first photographers of the region; indeed, during his visit to Bangkok he was summoned to the Royal Palace to take the King's portrait and the portraits of other members of the Royal Family.