Several pages would be needed just to mention all those who, by an exchange of information or a long exploratory walk, so graciously welcome me in their respective countries. Some of them are
listed below in the order of the country-specific chapters of my book, may the others forgive me. Thanks to all!
- In Cambodia - Bertrand Porte (EFEO) and director Kong Vireak (National Museum of Cambodia); Mrs Seng Sonetra and Mr Heng Sophady from the Royal University and Ministry of Culture; Dr
Michel Tranet.
- In China, the professor Li Fuquiang and his assistants in Nanning; in Kunming, Yvon Vélot and Mireille Tao who gave access to theYunnan
Museum directors and several Nationalities’ actors.
- In Laos - Mrs Tay Pikoune, so efficient; archaeology director Souksavatdy Viengkeo; Museum directors M. Naratevet in Savannakhet and
Bouarpha Vanvilay in Villabouly; Dr Robert Cooper in Vientiane; in Luang Prabang Francis Engelmann (Société Asiatique).
- In Myanmar - Mrs Tin Chan Myané, curator of Loikaw (Kayah) Museum outstanding help; Museum curators Mrs Thinn Thinn (Yangon) and Mr Myo
Nyunt Aung (Bagan); Dr Guy Lubeigt (Société Asiatique)
- In Southern Archipelagos - Dr Ambra Calo, (Bali); Museums in Jakarta and Surabaya (Indonesia), Kuala-Lumpur
(Malaysia), and Singapore; Ms Ydha, guide in Alor.
- In Thailand - Hon. Abbot Prakhrupalad Phloen Sondi (Wat Lad Cam); Ms Benchaphorn Khongchan in connexion with Dr Phadet Sookasem (Khon
Kaen University); Bangkok National Museum; François Doré, “le libraire du Siam”.
- In Vietnam, both the Historic National Museum of Hanoi and the Than Hóa Museum for their nice welcome and the gracious authorization
to use their photos: Mrs Nguyễn Thị Thu Hoàn and her Museum colleagues in Hanoi and in Thanh Hóa director Mrs Nguyễn Thị Thanh Hiền with Mrs Sam professor of French. Academician professor
Phan Huy Lê; archaeology professors Bùy Văn Liêm and Trịnh Sinh; Mrs D’Ga Dao.
Special thanks to those members whom I encountered at EFEO (Ecole française
d’Extrême-Orient) and by whose kind empathy I was greatly touched, especially, by alphabetical order: Olivier de Bernon, Pascal Bourdeaux (Saigon), Andrew Hardy (Hanoi), Michel Lorrillard,
Pierre-Yves Manguin, Bertrand Porte (Phnom-Penh), Christophe Pottier (Bangkok), Brice Vincent.
And also particularly to Pierre Baptiste (MNAAG Musée Guimet Curator – Paris) for our rich dialogue and his
nice photos, of which is the book cover’s image; historian professor Philippe Papin (EPHE - Sorbonne); Patrick Kersalé, specialist of Asian musical instruments. Last but not the least, my
deep gratitude to Ann Wadman who gave me the opportunity for stimulating dialogue when she kindly corrected my first English manuscript. Not forgetting Orchid Press and its nice staff, of whom
Mrs Sujitra Samakkarn played a crucial role.