Katya & The Prince of Siam

‘Although we are staying in the best hotel, the accommodation is not very good. The bathrooms for instance are most uncomfortable, containing a barrel instead of a bath and a scoop to pour the water. No matter what they say the East is not civilised yet. The servants here are all Chinese, who speak only their own language, though notices in the hotel announce they speak English. I have to communicate with them by gesture, which is so expressive that Elena Nicholaievna begs me not to do it during lunch or dinner or she will die of laughing. In Siam I am to have a Siamese maid who has worked for the Europeans before, but here we have ‘Fairy’, who was sent to Elena Nicholaievna. She is Siamese and seems afraid of everything as though she never saw Europeans or their dress in her life. We cannot explain anything to her as neither of us speak Siamese, so again I have to communicate with amusing gesticulation while Fairy relaxes comfortably in the rocking-chair in our presence and drinks from our glasses and understands absolutely nothing I am trying to convey.

‘Sometimes I think it will take some time to get accustomed to the life here; at other times, if all turns out well with my arrival, I think I shall be at home with the East quite soon.

‘I read in one of Lek’s letters that on 5th April, new style, there was a ceremony to open the palace where we shall live and all the relatives were present. I am very anxious to be in Siam by Easter since, though I have no opportunity to go to church for matins, I would at least like to be with Lek on this solemn day, and would be unhappy to spend this day on the ship.

‘

God takes care of us. I trust that I’ll soon be able to send you a joyful message.’

V

Life Behind Palace Walls

 

Prince Chakrabongse.

 

Meanwhile Chakrabongse had been welcomed in Bangkok with joy and appropriate celebration, and soon became aware of the high regard in which he was held, and the added lustre which his years in the Russian Army and colonelcy in the Imperial Hussars had imparted.

He was appointed Commandant of the Military College, and his duties there and attendance at the numerous official social functions which his rank and importance imposed, occupied him to the full. For his residence, he was given Paruskavan Palace near Ampornsathan Palace, where the King lived.

The construction of Paruskavan Palace had in fact been begun in 1903 with 22,075 baht being paid for walls of 275 metres in length on 30th December. On 19th April 1904, 61,173 baht was paid upon completion of the walls excluding the roof. Originally three architects were involved but two became ill during the course of work (Mr Tamayo got cholera and had to return to Europe while Mr Scos got smallpox and died). This left Beyroleyri in charge until the work was finished at the end of 1905.

Chakrabongse threw himself into his work with his customary diligence and enthusiasm and many days passed, not one of them seeming to offer the ideal moment to broach the subject of his marriage. Indeed – as is often the case in such situations – he may have experienced a guilty relief as the sun went down on yet another day, during which time the disclosure of his secret had again been postponed.