TOMES PIRES

The kingdom of Siam is heathen… the people are considered to be prudent folk .... The merchants know a great deal about merchandise … The kingdom is justly ruled. The King is always in residence in the city of Ayutthaya… he’s very ceremonious with strangers; he moves freely in easily with the natives. He has many wives—upwards of 500. On the death or decaying [of the king] it has as king a person of the royal blood … if he is suitable, and if he is not there are sometimes agreements and assemblies to decide who will be the best.

The kingdom of Siam is heathen… the people are considered to be prudent folk .... The merchants know a great deal about merchandise … The kingdom is justly ruled. The King is always in residence in the city of Ayutthaya… he’s very ceremonious with strangers; he moves freely in easily with the natives. He has many wives—upwards of 500. On the death or decaying [of the king] it has as king a person of the royal blood … if he is suitable, and if he is not there are sometimes agreements and assemblies to decide who will be the best.