Portraits and landscapes of mid-19th century Siam are captured with a pioneering photographic eye in Siam: Through the Lens of John Thomson 1865–66. John Thomson’s work presents a rare and intimate visual record of a transformative period in Thai history, rendered in the monochrome realism of early photography.

The 160 pages of this collection reflect Thomson’s methodical approach to composition, emphasizing architectural forms, cultural details, and the natural environment with a documentary precision that communicates both the dignity and immediacy of his subjects. Published by River Books in Bangkok, the volume situates Thomson’s images within their geographic and historical contexts.