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Kosa Pan at the court of Louis XIV: a Franco-Siamese story revisited through the archives
Rediscovering Franco-Siamese relations through the archives
In 1686, Kosa Pan, ambassador of the Kingdom of Siam, was sent to the court of Louis XIV as part of the diplomatic relations between the two kingdoms. This mission represents a significant episode in the history of exchanges between France and present-day Thailand.
Through the book Kosa Pan in the Kingdom of Louis XIV (1686–1698): A Siamese Voice in the French Archives, Thissana Weerakietsoontorn offers a fresh look at this historical episode based on archival documents, correspondence and diplomatic reports, which have been translated and edited.
A Thai historian, holder of a PhD in Far Eastern Studies from the École pratique des hautes études (EPHE-PSL) and a lecturer at Ramkhamhaeng University in Bangkok, she devotes her research to the analysis and translation of rare documents in Thai and French. Her work particularly highlights the diplomatic, religious and cultural exchanges between Siam and Europe in the modern era.
By giving prominence to the Siamese perspective, this book helps to enrich our understanding of a history that has long been approached primarily through European sources.
A meeting bringing together representatives from academia, institutions and partners
Inalco, by Father Vincent Sénéchal, Superior General of the Paris Foreign Missions Society, and Soravij Bhirombhakdi, Senior Executive Vice President of Boon Rawd Brewery Company Ltd.
These speeches were followed by a presentation of the book by Julien Spiewak, Director of Communications at the Paris Foreign Missions Society, followed by a lecture by Thissana Weerakietsoontorn on Kosa Pan and Franco-Siamese relations in the late 17th century.
The event continued with a Q&A session with the audience, followed by a book-signing and a drinks reception.
The Inalco Foundation extends its warmest thanks to the Missions Étrangères de Paris for co-organising this evening, as well as to the representatives of Singha, whose presence underscores the ties maintained with our Thai partners.
Over 150 years of Thai studies at INALCO
This event forms part of a long tradition of teaching and research dedicated to Thailand.
Siamese has been taught at INALCO since 1874. In 2024, the university celebrated 150 years of teaching this subject, reflecting the long-standing nature of its academic and cultural ties with the Kingdom of Thailand. Today, the Thai Studies department has 115 students.
This tradition continues in the field of research, notably within the South-East Asia Centre (CASE – UMR 8170), a research unit jointly supervised by Inalco, the École des hautes études en sciences sociales (EHESS) and the Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS).
The Inalco Foundation also contributes to the development of these relationships. Since 2022, thanks to the support of the Royal Thai Embassy in France, it has been awarding scholarships of excellence enabling Inalco students to undertake language immersion stays in Thailand. This partnership was renewed in 2026 thanks to the support of His Excellency Mr Nikorndej Balankura, Thailand’s Ambassador to France.
The Foundation has also organised, in partnership with the École française d’Extrême-Orient (EFEO), two mirror symposia, in Paris in 2024 and in Bangkok in 2026, dedicated to two leading figures in Franco-Thai academic relations: Prince Damrong Rajanubhab and the historian George Cœdès.
Organised with the support of Singha, these events also benefited from the backing of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) and collaborations with the Guimet Museum, contributing to the richness of scientific and cultural exchanges between the two countries.
To continue scientific and cultural exchanges with Thailand
Through this event, the Inalco Foundation reaffirms its commitment to the development of Thai studies and to strengthening academic cooperation between France and Thailand.
Together with its partners, it aims to build on this momentum by supporting student mobility, research initiatives and the promotion of historical and documentary heritage, both in Thailand and more broadly across South-East Asia.
The Inalco Foundation would like to thank all the speakers and partners who contributed to this event, and in particular the Foreign Missions in Paris, Thissana Weerakietsoontorn and the representatives from Singha, for their participation in this evening dedicated to the history of Franco-Thai relations.
