Материалы чтений памяти Б. Н. Мельниченко и С. Е. Трифонова

6 Editorial Note ​This collection contains articles by participants of the First Inter- national Scientific Conference of Thai Scholars “Readings in memory of B. N. Melnichenko and S. E. Trifonov”, which took place on May 20– 21, 2021 at St. Petersburg State University. The Conference was held with the support of the Honorary Consulate General of the Kingdom of Thailand in St. Petersburg. Due to the epidemiological situation, the event was held in a mixed (face-to-face and online) format. *** ​The idea to hold the Readings was inspired by the sincere desire of the organizers to honor the memory of outstanding Soviet and Russian orientalists — ​Boris Nikolaevich Melnichenko (1935–2018) and Ser- gey Evgenievich Trifonov (1960–2019). The contribution these schol- ars have made to the Thai Studies in Russia, to the promoting under- standing and enhancing friendship between the peoples of Thailand and Russia can hardly be overestimated. ​The researches of Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor Bo- ris N. Melnichenko are widely known among Russian Orientalists and Thai scholars. Being both a scientist and a talented teacher, Professor Melnichenko devoted his life to academic researches and teaching at the Faculty of Asian and African Studies of Leningrad State Universi- ty (later — ​St. Petersburg State University). The scope of his academ- ic activity, sphere of his expertise and his personal commitment to his work are really impressive. While composing numerous training cours- es, seminars and Special courses on History, Historiography, Geogra- phy, Ethnography and Economics of Thailand, he also taught courses on History of China, Burma, Cambodia, Vietnam and other countries of East, Southeast and Central Asia. Among academic researches of Pro- fessor Melnichenko there are more than 90 publications, including five monographs (three of them are co-authored). Boris N. Melnichenko was most nice, delicate and agreeable person. He was highly appreciated and respected by his students. We shall keep and cherish memories of those small moments that add so much to the understanding of his character. Boris Nikolaevich would bring his own microphone to classes (if his lectures were held in the classrooms not