Bangkok Recorder (Thai) 1865-1867

The Bangkok Recorder began to be published in a second phase between 1865 and 1867, two decades later than the first phase and under more liberal conditions. It was written and published by Dr. Dan Beach Bradley and N. A. McDonald.

• Language & Format: The Thai-language edition was produced alongside its English counterpart, making it one of the earliest regularly printed Thai newspapers. It used a two-column layout and was physically smaller than the English version. The first English editions contained a small number of Thai language articles but after a few months the newspapers were separated into monolingual English and Thai editions.

• Content & Context: The Thai edition shared local news, commentary, and general topics with its readers during the reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV), when Siam was engaging more with Western ideas. Although it provided information about current events and broader subjects> Financial difficulties and mixed reception among subscribers led to its eventual end in early 1867.

• Legacy: The Bangkok Recorder laid the foundation of modern Thai journalism and public discourse. As one of the earliest sustained Thai-language newspapers, it introduced regular news reporting, editorials, and the idea of print as a medium for social debate to a Siamese readership. It helped familiarize Thai society with Western concepts of journalism, rational inquiry, and public opinion during the period of reforms under King Mongkut (Rama IV), promoting Western science and education, expanding diplomacy and trade, supporting printing and the press, and starting administrative reforms that helped preserve the country’s independence. Although short-lived, the newspaper set important precedents in language, format, and intellectual openness that influenced later Thai publications and marked a transition from traditional court chronicles to modern mass communication in Thailand.

Project Notes

• The text is reproduced as faithfully as possible including archaic spellings, a few typos and (where practical) some unusual typesetting. It is possible there may be some mistakes in the transcription that weren’t caught in proofreading. Contact me if that’s the case.

• Text lines are reproduced as per the original newspaper with line breaks, hyphenation etc as originally published.

• Some parts of the text are illegible in the source material due to age/condition of the document. These parts are instead represented with […] in this online version.

• The Chulasakarat publication dates on some editions are incorrect. Corrections are provided below.

Quick Links

The dates below are presented as the Gregorian and Chulasakarat dates as printed in the newspaper. Where a third date is also given, it is either the complete Chulasakarat date (from where only a month is printed in the newspaper) or the correct date where it had been miscalculated.

Index

1865

• March 1st, 1865 - เดือน ๖ ขึ้น ๗ ค่ำ จ.ศ.๑๒๒๗ (เดือน ๔ ขึ้น ๕ ค่ำ จ.ศ.๑๒๒๖)
  Distinction between official Sanskrit and common Thai names / Historical geography and canal excavation in Bangkok area / Evolution of official and common names for the capital / Discrepancies between written spelling and spoken pronunciation / Scientific calculation of Earth’s circumference and diameter / Proposed plans for railway construction in China / General Sherman’s campaign in the American Civil War / Capture of Savannah and Confederate resources by Union / Editorial policy separating Thai and English editions / Scope of international news and general knowledge content / Subscription rates and ownership of The Bangkok Recorder

• March 16th, 1865 - เดือน ๔ จ.ศ.๑๒๒๕ (เดือน ๔ แรม ๕ ค่ำ จ.ศ.๑๒๒๖)
  Early European fear of the Atlantic Ocean / Quest for Eastern wealth driving exploration / Columbus’s conviction in a spherical earth / Queen Isabella financing Columbus’s 1492 voyage / Discovery of San Salvador and Native Americans / Columbus’s subsequent misfortune and burial history / America named after Vespucci, not Columbus / Bhutan’s geography, economy, and British war / Japanese justice regarding murdered British officers / Rapid expansion of the United States Navy / Effectiveness of the Union coastal blockade / British analysis of American ironclad warships

• April 1st, 1865 - เดือน ๕ จ.ศ.๑๒๒๗
  History of American independence and territorial expansion / Nevada’s geography, mining resources, and population growth / Union victory at Fort Fisher during Civil War / Appointment of new American Consul to Bangkok / Union naval pursuit of Confederate raiders in Asia / Progress on Transatlantic and global telegraph networks / Expansion of petroleum discoveries and railway infrastructure / Devastating cyclone destruction and death toll in Calcutta / Cholera and smallpox outbreaks in Singapore and India / Bank robbery in Hong Kong and Penang riots / Nile drought causing grain shortages in Egypt / Rice market prices in China and Hong Kong

• April 15th, 1865 - เดือน ๕ แรม ๕ ค่ำ จ.ศ.๑๒๒๗
  Early exploration and discovery of the Americas / Spanish conquest of Mexico and indigenous resistance / First circumnavigation of the globe by ship / Geography and population statistics of Western nations / British versus French colonial strategies and ambitions / French imperial expansion in Mexico and Cambodia / High newspaper circulation and literacy in America / United States military strength and tax revenue / Regional updates on public health and trade / Discovery of a white elephant in Siam / French diplomatic pressure on Siamese-Cambodian treaties / Purpose and subscription details of The Bangkok Recorde

• May 1st, 1865 - เดือน ๖ ขึ้น ๗ ค่ำ จ.ศ.๑๒๒๗
  History of Mexico and French military intervention / Siam and France treaty regarding Cambodia status / Regulations on French alcohol imports and taxation / Canal excavation project for agriculture and transport / Critique of using gambling to fund infrastructure / Obituary of Robert Hunter and alcoholism warning / Local crime statistics and police arrest reports / Market prices for commodities in Bangkok trade / Updates on American Civil War and victories / Underground transportation developments in Western cities / Travels and health updates of American missionaries / Printing press services and newspaper subscription details

• May 15th, 1865 - เดือน ๖ แรม ๖ ค่ำ จ.ศ.๑๒๒๗
  Scientific explanation of electricity and lightning rods / First aid methods for lightning strike victims / Disputes over French treaty and alcohol trade / Moral condemnation of alcohol consumption and sales / Obstructions and hazards in Bangkok waterways / Traffic congestion problems in local canals / Police raids on illegal opium smuggling dens / International news on wars and foreign politics / Safety warnings regarding steamship boiler explosions / Weekly report of local crimes and arrests / Market prices for commodities in Chinese ports / Shipping movement lists and printing advertisements

• June 1st, 1865 - เดือน ๗ ขื้น ๘ ค่ำ จ.ศ.๑๒๒๗
  Origins and customs of Native American tribes / Scientific explanation of atmospheric pressure and weight / Philanthropy for higher education institutions in Bombay / Advocacy for modern education and languages in Siam / French infrastructure and school developments in Saigon / Warning against physical and moral evils of alcohol / Report on steamboat collision with Royal barge / Police investigation into burglary and stolen goods / Public safety hazards caused by river fishing traps / Reception of Siamese Consul visiting from Singapore / Brightness and photographic utility of magnesium light / Current market prices and local crime statistics

• June 16th, 1865 - เดือน ๗ แรม ๘ ค่ำ จ.ศ.๑๒๒๗
  Scientific principles of air pressure and water pumps / Confederate surrender ending the American Civil War / Assassination details of US President Abraham Lincoln / Legal disputes involving theft and foreign consuls / Public notices regarding bankruptcy and lost property / Technical specifications and crew of British warships / Police reports on local arrests and crimes / Market prices for commodities in Bangkok and China / International shipping logs and export cargo manifests / Anecdote concerning President Lincoln’s personal Christian faith / Maritime schedules of ship arrivals and departures

Statistics