On Historiography

Other controversies relate to the Ramkhamhaeng inscription that is said to have been discovered by King Chulalongkorn - Rama V the Great - himself and which demonstrates the advanced and superior nature of Thai law as compared to the Khmers and others in mainland Southeast Asia. Yet very real questions about whether this inscription is genuine have been brushed aside by many authorities.

In addition to these political issues, there is also the question of the intentions of history writers. These are perhaps most obvious in the many Chinese chronicles describing the past. These always describe other peoples from the Chinese perspective that China and its emperor is the centre of the world and, therefore, any differences from what is to be found in China demonstrates the barbarism of other peoples. Further, since the current emperor has demonstrated by occupancy of the throne that he or very rarely she enjoys the Mandate of Heaven, chronicles must occasionally be adjusted to ensure that such righteousness of character be brought out in characters who might previously have been treated less generously. This tendency to demonstrate the virtue of Kings, Queens and other rulers and, therefore, the people over whom they ruled, is common throughout the region and, indeed, further afield.

John Walsh, Mahidol University International College, May 2004

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