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Siam: The Commencements in Siam
The Landons began to attend school commencements. Once they attended a commencement ceremony and were so exhausted that they had to leave before it was done. They were told later that the ceremony did not end until 1:30 a.m.
Siam: The Climate Caused Their Blood Pressure to Decrease
The climate in Bangkok was hard on the Landons, causing their blood pressure to decrease. Kenneth comments that even today if he were to go back to Bangkok he would lose about one pound a day until he levels off at about 130 pounds after about twenty…
Siam: The Car, The Heat, and Margaret's Near Accident
Kenneth tells of shipping his car to Nakhon and the terrible burning he experienced because of the heat. Margaret managed to drive safely and recalls the only time he nearly had an accident.
Siam: The Buying and Selling of Women
Margaret and Kenneth talk about the buying and selling of Women in Siam. A young girl was bought for $10 in Hong Kong from her parents. Another was sold for 110 tekals. They were working as housemaids for wealthy people in the town.
Siam: The American Minister Entertained Prince Damrong (Take 2)
Margaret finds her record of the story of McKenzie wanting to serve Prince Damrong the # 1 tea. She gives the exact prices for each kind of tea that McKenzie's boy had found. In the end McKenzie bought a half pound of the best tea that was available.…
Siam: The American Minister Entertained Prince Damrong
Mr. McKenzie, the American minister, was entertained by Prince Damrong and wanted to reciprocate. He sent his number one "boy" to buy the best kind of Chinese tea for the prince's visit. It turned out that the tea cost much more he had thought, but…
Siam: Tennis, and the Misfortune
Margaret played in a singles tennis match and lost the game. In the doubles she played with Dr.Theobald and played well, but they didn't win. The Landons talk about their misfortune buying some furniture. It cost them everything they had because of…
Siam: Stories from the War
Margaret tells of the day they left Phuket and their visit to Phangnga, where there was a cave with a temple inside. Kenneth recalls war stories associated with the area and tells of his visit to one particular island. It was eerie. He tells of his…
Siam: Stories from the War
Margaret tells of the day they left Phuket and their visit to Phangnga, where there was a cave with a temple inside. Kenneth recalls war stories associated with the area and tells of his visit to one particular island. It was eerie. He tells of his…
Siam: Some Thai People Wanted Kenneth to Be Their Overlord
The Landons inherited from E. P. Dunlap a book in which were the names of people in a village where Dr. Dunlap had worked. Kenneth used the book to retrieve the people in the village and began to address them by name. He visited the village several…
Siam: Some First Impressions at Nakhon Sri Tamarat
Margaret reads a letter giving her first impressions of Nakhon. She recalls the temples, the prison, and returns to their first morning in the town, spending time with all the missionaries. In many ways the area reminded the Landons of Michigan.…
Siam: Snake Stories
The Landons' house was outside the town and was not lit by electricity, so the nights were completely dark. They used a flashlight while going around in the house. One day as Kenneth walked into the toilet he saw a cobra, coiled on the seat of the…
Siam: Siamese Culture
The Landons adjusted to the Thai culture very quickly. The Seigles and the Landon's teacher were all very helpful in their adjustment. The language teacher gave a great deal of her time taking them on culture tours in the city, teaching them the…
Siam: Servant Problems
Margaret often had problems with her servants not being responsible enough. The Chinese servants tended to be noisy, negligent, dirty, and dishonest. But they were tremendously hard workers. The Siamese were quieter, cleaner, and more careful, but…
Siam: Phya Ratsida
Margaret reads about Kaw Su Chiang, a Chinese immigrant who became extremely successful, having started from insignificant beginnings. He lived to be 96 after a very successful career. His son Phya Ratsida was more interesting for Margaret (Margaret…
Siam: Peggy's Near Death Experience and Related Stories
Peggy was still a baby when she had a near death experience with a king cobra. Kenneth tells how one day he was coming back home from church when he noticed Peggy laying in front of the house, with a king cobra rearing up, getting ready to strike.…
Siam: Peggy's Disposition and Character
Kenneth wrote that Margaret looked plump and healthy. She said that she felt better than at any time since coming to Thailand. Peggy had a "sort of fragile-looking beauty, and is very dainty in all she does. That is, she is until she decides to spank…
Siam: Peggy's Birth Certificate
Al Seigle and Kenneth went to register Peggy's birth both at the American Legation and the local police station. Both men did not speak Thai, and the police officers did not speak English, but they were able to communicate about the registration of a…
Siam: Peggy's Beautiful Tankles
Peggy often had a sore throat, and Kenneth would ask her to open her mouth so that he could see her beautiful tonsils. One day the Landons had guests and Peggy was trying to entertain them. Suddenly she realized that she had something special to show…
Siam: Peggy, Bill and Margaret;
Peggy was having a hard time with a nose infection she had. She liked taking care of Bill and would take things away from him, saying, "No, no..." She would run away to the school to her many friends. Kenneth was gone again for about a month (there…
Siam: Odds and Ends
Margaret tells about some odds and ends in the Siamese culture: cloth colors for each day of the week, pythons used for food or medicine, Mrs. Fuller and the rickshaw ride, the fire that wouldn't burn the mission compound, etc.
Siam: Nanhalung Show
Kenneth talks about the Nanhalung show that would run through the night. People would hear the drum and walked in the dark, with torches, to the place where the sound came from and gather for the show. Kenneth heard the drum beat while studying Greek…
Siam: Nakhon Sri Tamarat, Miss McCague's, Tour with Snyder
Margaret describes their arrival in Nakon Sri Tamarat, how the missionaries welcomed them, and tells about the history behind the name of the town. The Landons describe the city, its religious culture, and the beginning of the desire of the Siamese…
Siam: Nai Dit Trapped a Mongoose
Kenneth explains that their cook, Nai Dit, took a day off to build a huge trap to catch a mongoose that was coming into the kitchen at night to eat the food. Kenneth was pessimistic that the huge and complex trap was going to catch anything, but it…
Siam: Mrs Bulkley and Her Advice
Margaret tells about Mrs. Bulkley and her difficult background. Daughter of divorced parents (unusual for that time) she married Con Bulkley, a man who actually wasn't interested in her. She had a difficult marriage of forty year with seven children.…