To the Siamese Cat Kingdom!’ is a concept for a children’s book I’ve researched and illustrated about one of Thailand’s most longest lasting kingdoms- Ayutthaya. Follow two twins- Bon and Bao- into the Siamese Kingdom during the Ayutthaya period, a time of prosperous trade and global relations and learn about the lives of the people (cats!) of the past.

I wanted to present Thai history in a unique, friendly yet accurate way, accessible to children and adults, and those who are familiar or unfamiliar with history.

Bon and Bao are twins who live in modern day Thailand. They are a tag team duo, chaotic and curious. They are a brought over to the Siamese Kingdom by a Lion and Tiger, the guardians of the Kingdom. Mirroring the young reader, they are the characters who initiate the interactions that allows information to be delivered.

Their outfits are inspired by the ‘3rd Era’ of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, heavily drawing from the fashion drawings of Puangpaka Korawat (1980)

The other characters of this story are the cats! Being a Kingdom accessible from the sea, Ayutthaya was also a prosperous port for many countries, welcoming Japan, China, French, Portuguese and many other countries for trade relations.

Left to Right:

  • Siamese Cat (Nobility) - Design inspired by the Siamese Cat. Outfit based on Jaques V. Duplessis’s Siamese Ambassador painting (1686)

  • Siamese Cat (Villager) - Design inspired by the Siamese Cat. Outfit based on temple wall murals

  • Portuguese Cat - Design inspired by the Iberian Lynx. Outfit based on a mural from Bang Khun Thian Temple

  • Japanese Cat - Design inspired by the Japanese Bobtail cat. Outfit based of the Japanese Village VR Reconstruction by Toppan

  • French Cat - Design inspired by the Chartreux Cat. Outfit based on a mural from Bang Khun Thian Temple

  • Bao (She’s here as a height reference!)

Ayutthaya was a big Kingdom, but the first location I developed was the Floating Market. The design was inspired by the ruins of the ‘Wanon’ Bridge- still standing today at Ayutthaya, Thailand. I designed the surrounding based of research into how waterways were the main source of transport for this Kingdom.

The Market Spread is filled with produce and meat accurate to the time. I used Simone de La Loubére’s 1693 record of the Kingdom of Siam as a reference, along with interviews with historians.