A SIAMESE JOURNEY presents a precious view into the Thailand of yesterday. This is a film record created by Leon Shamroy and Tom White of the Ellsworth Huntington Expedition. Ellsworth Huntington (1876-1947) was a well-known Yale geography professor who led a series of expeditions to various parts of the world including the Middle East. At some point in the late 1930s, he he led an expedition to Siam, present-day Thailand, and this film was released in 1937-38 in the USA. The film is notable for showing pre-WWII Thailand, its capitol Bangkok, and its people.

At 3:50, the bobbed hair of Thai women is shown. At 5:00, a traditional stick fighting match – with musical accompaniment in the form of a troupe of musicians performing in the background. At 6:30, a bundle of poisonous cobras are seen — used at a Red Cross sponsored snake park to make anti-venom. A mongoose vs. cobra battle is seen at the 8 minute mark. At 9:40, fighting fish are seen battling. At 11:20, Siamese boxing is seen (Muay Boran). At 15:00, Bangkok is seen and the Chao Phraya River. At 16:00, a distinguished visitor is seen leaving a large yacht and getting into a touring car. The Thai Air Force is seen flying overhead and at 18:00 some of the cavalry is seen on review. At 18:42, a meeting of the country’s princes is seen and the King reads a proclamation.

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com