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PLATE 2. The Prime Minister |
Chaophraya Srisuriyawong |
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This is how Anna described her first meeting with the Prime Minister:
"A shadowy gondola, fashioned like a
dragon, with flashing torches and many paddles, approached; and
a Siamese official mounted the side, swaying himself with an
absolute air. The red langoutee, or skirt, loosely folded about
his person, did not reach his ankles; and to cover his audacious
chest and shoulders he had only his own brown polished skin.
Half naked as he was, and without an eblem to denote his rank,
there was yet something remarkable about this native chief, by
virtue of which he compelled our respect from the first glance,
- a sensibly magnetic quality of tone or look." (EGSC, p.8-9)
Throughout the book, Anna usually reffered to him as the "Kralahome"
though at one time called him a "half-nude barbarian". |
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Chaophraya Srisuriyawong, seated middle, and senior
statesmen in the reign of King Monkgut (Rama IV). Chaophraya
Srisuriyawong was Regent during the minority of H.M. King Chulalongkorn
(Rama V). |
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