Book Reviews

Katya and the Prince of Siam

by Leonard H. Le Blanc III

by Narisa Chakrabongse and Eileen Hunter.

River Books, 2020, 252 pages. www.riverbooksbk.com

The most bittersweet tales of love in Thai history are most likely when a member of the Thai royalty marries a ‘farang’ (or foreigner). It has happened only rarely, but it is always mesmerising to the public when it does happen. The first and perhaps the most famous incident was when King Chulalongkorn’s (King Rama V) favourite son, HRH Prince Chakrabongse, secretly web a beautiful Ukrainian girl and brought her back to meet his family in 1907. You can imagine the reception on arrival.

At first, they were ostracised by their family and society, but gradually they were accepted by everyone with love and respect. Tragically, the love story has an ultimately sad ending for almost everyone involved. However, Narisa Chakrabongse and Eileen Hunter have done a masterful job on recreating the world her grandparents lived in, much of it through previously unpublished letters, photographs, and diaries. The book is a fascinating journey into both Thailand’s and personal family history. For Thai history lovers. 5 stars.

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The author is the Dean, Vice-President for Institutional Advancement and Professor of Social Sciences and Human Security at the American University of Sovereign Nations, a new on-line, U.S.-based university and also General Manager of SEATE Services. Additionally he is a Contributing Editor of Expat Life in Thailand magazine. Len has written and been a story contributor for TIME Magazine, Literary Editor for the Pattaya Trader magazine and authored four books on Amazon. He has also edited numerous books for the White Lotus Press. He holds nine academic degrees, has travelled extensively and lived all around the world and a retired U.S. Naval Reserve officer. He currently lives in Bangkok, Thailand with his wife Lena, daughter L.J. and son J.L.
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