SIAM-MYANMAR RELATIONS THROUGH THE PERSPECTIVE OF ‘AYEDAWBON TREATISES’

Soe Thuzar Myint

Researchers into Myanmar history have found the Ayedawbon treatises to be a highly significant literary genre which provide a record of historical events next in importance to the Myanmar chronicles. The Myanmar term ‘Ayedawbon’ is synonymous with the Thai term, Chotmaihet or Kotmaihet and it deals with accounts or reports of particular events. Owing to circumstances, never before has anyone attempted to translate these famous works into the English language. Soe Thuzar Myint has translated the sections involving Siam-Myanmar relation from these Ayedawbons into English, thus making it available to scholars of both countries and of the rest of the world. She also provides a full account of 7 Ayedawbon treatises and highlights on comparative studies in the literature and history of Myanmar and Thailand. This book is a major contribution to the history of Southeast Asia from 16th to 19th century.

ABSTRACT

Researchers into Myanmar history have found the Ayedawbon treatises to be a highly significant literary genre which provide a record of historical events next in importanceto the Myanmar chronicles.

The Myanmar term ‘Ayedawbon’ is synonymous with the Thai term, Chotmaihet or Kotmaihet and it deals with accounts or reports of particular events. Owing to circumstances and its time-consuming

nature, never before has anyone attempted to translate these famous works into the English language. There have been some works by Myanmar scholars on Ayedawbon kyans but they do not highlight

the sections involving Siam-Myanmar relations. Thus, by studying Ayedawbon treatises, scholars of Thai studies will acquire new insights, reach new interpretations and gain access to richer source materials.

The data used here relies on a n historical approach and is primarily based on documentary materials. I have surveyed seven Ayedawbon treatises which have been handed down from generation to generation.

I have found invaluable historical facts which have not been mentioned in Siamese and Myanmar chronicles. In addition, these treatises relate to Siam-Myanmar warfare in detail. The discussion which follows is about the significance of Ayedawbon treatises and the cryptic vii ABSTRACT