This is an early account of an observer, neither French nor Catholic, who avoided both biases, in describing the various factions of Siamese society, and the promotion of Christianity or both European national interests in Siam. The amazing Englebert Kaempfer -- German polyglot, physician, botanist, and historian -- traveled throughout Asia from 1683 to 1692 and held several important posts, notably physician to the Dutch East India Company's trading station at Nagasaki, Japan. Kaempfer's descriptions of the various countries he visited or resided in have been praised for