Due to scheduled maintenance, login times may be slower than usual and password resets are temporarily disabled. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to complete these updates as quickly as possible.

Join us
Orange welcome sign that reads Royal Geographical Society with IBG.

Become a member and discover where geography can take you.

Join us

John Thomson is one of the great figures in the history of photography, an extraordinary photographer, traveller, author, translator and teacher. In 1865 he travelled to Siam and photographed the King and his subjects creating a unique record of the country.

This talk by Deborah Ireland revisits the original negatives to see Siam as recorded by Thomson’s lens in 1865.

Booking information

  • Advance booking for this event is required. In order to book you will need an account on our website. If you already have an account you will be prompted to log in when you click 'book now'. Please create an account if you do not have one yet (you do not need to be a member of the Society to create an account).

Attending in-person

  • We do not issue tickets (electronic or physical) for this event. Instead your name will be on a list at the door. Please use the Society's entrance on Exhibition Road.

Attending online

  • If you are attending the event online, the joining instructions will be included in your confirmation email.

If you have any questions or require assistance with your booking, please email events@rgs.org

Venue information

This event will be held in the Education Centre at the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), 1 Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AR.

 

Doors open at 2.00pm. The lecture will begin at 2.30pm.

 

Plan your visit to the Society and find more information about our venue, including our address, accessibility and transport links.

You may also be interested in...

  • ExhibitionEarth Photo 2023 exhibit in forest

    Earth Photo: Haldon Forest

    See a stunning selection of the shortlisted images which stimulate conversations about our world.

  • ExhibitionEarth Photo 2023 exhibit in forest

    Earth Photo: Grizedale Forest

    See a stunning selection of the shortlisted images which stimulate conversations about our world.

  • ExhibitionHistoric black and white photograph of two explorers taking photographs in a snowy mountainous environment.

    Everest through the lens

    Another chance to see the Society's exhibition marking the centenary of the early Everest expeditions. Explore how Captain John Noel's films shaped the public's imagination of Everest, while obscuring the vital role of local intermediaries.

Key Information

Open to all
19 May 2025, 2.30pm-3.45pm
Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)

In-person
Non-member £0.00, Member £0.00
Online
Non-member £0.00, Member £0.00
Book Now

Featured Event

ExhibitionBlack and white image of Laos village, interior of Siam, Thailand.

Siam through the lens of John Thomson

An exhibition of large format photographic prints taken by John Thomson FRGS during his time in Thailand.