Timber, trade, and building in Siam’s past and present.
This concise field guide explores Siamese timber, with detailed notes on teak, sappan, rosewood, and other woods used in construction and craft. It covers how forests are managed, how logs are gathered and measured, and how exports shaped markets in the early 20th century.
Written in plain language, it explains timber qualities, uses, and practical pricing. You’ll see how teak logs are assessed, girdled, and floated down rivers, then sawn into planks for ships, houses, and furniture. The book also presents historical data on timber exports and the rise of trade policies that affected forests and industry.
- Identifying key timbers and their building properties
- How timber is measured, logged, and traded using the Pikat system
- Forest management practices and regulatory history
- Historical export values and market dynamics
Ideal for readers curious about building materials, forestry history, or regional trade in Southeast Asia.