Place names I came across in reading DGE Hall--Mainly a history of the rivalry between the French, the British and the Dutch in S and SE Asia from the 16th century onwards.

I'm only reading the reigns of Naresuan,his brother Ekathasarot and his great grandson Narai--

Narai was very progressive and sent the first mission to the W--Court of the Sun King, way before Burmese King Mindon--

However, as often happens, liberals are often followed by regressives--I saw the remains of the room where he died--or was killed, in Lopburi.

Hall is a useful book as it shows the whole region--not isolated by "nations" which did not exist then.

Read up on Toungoo Dynasty, Pegu/Bago/Hanthawaddy, Naresuan, Maha Thamaracha,

Ekathatsarot, Narai and the elephant keeper who succeeded him.

Also Arakan chapters in Hall--including exile of Shah Shuja by Aurangzeb--

the bad son of Shah Jahan--and the killer of his brother Dara Shikoh.

Also check out Philipe de Brito,Natshinnaung,Yaza Datu Kalya.

It's good to know world history.

Don't be the frog in the well.

KM Kaung

2-1-2026