Letters from St Petersburg

A Siamese Prince at the Court of the Last Tsar

Narisa Chakrabongse, Narisa Chakrabongse

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Hardback

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English

River Books
01 November 2017

Autobiography: royalty; Asian history

The prince was sent to study in Tsarist Russia with all the costs of his 8-year stay paid by the Tsar.

The letters he wrote home provide a fascinating insight into the Corps des Pages, where he studied,Tsar Nicholas II and the Imperial family (who treated him like a member of the family) and the role that Siam occupied in Russia's desire to gain a foothold in the East. As tsarevitch, Nicholas had visited Bangkok in 1891 as part of his Eastern Tour which culminated in the opening of the Eastern end of theTrans-Siberian railway inVladivostock in 1893. Lavishly entertained by King Chulalongkorn, an enduring friendship began, and the Siamese king credited the Tsar with helping prevent further French incursions. Meanwhile the king's letters to his son are frank and revealing of his thoughts on politics, his family, his health and his plans for the future. Telegrams reacting to important events such as the revolution in 1905 give further insights.

A few letters between Prince Chakrabongse and his future wife Ekaterina Desnitskaya before they eloped to Constantinople are also included. Read in conjunction with the formal letters to his father, they provide a glimpse of his state of mind at that time.

AUTHOR: Narisa Chakrabongse is the grandaughter of Prince Chakrabongse. She reveals here for the first time some 200 letters, which have been held in personal archives in Thailand.

SELLING POINTS: .

This never-before-seen family archive provides unique insight into both the Russian and Thai courts at this important time period, as well as their relationship with one another .

A personal and touching glimpse of the world through the eyes of a young prince, including both official news and more personal letters .

Includes over 300 photographs, many which have never been published, as well as postcards and mementoes collected by Prince Chakrabongse

300 b/w photographs

By: Narisa Chakrabongse
Translated by: Narisa Chakrabongse
Imprint: River Books
Country of Publication: Thailand
Dimensions: Height: 249mm, Width: 176mm, Spine: 37mm
Weight: 1.423kg
ISBN: 9786167339580
ISBN 10: 6167339589
Pages: 480
Publication Date: 01 November 2017
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Unspecified

Introduction by Narisa Chakrabongse 1896 Departures: to Europe & Java 1897 The King’s Visit - Studies in England 1898 Learning Russian - Life in St. Petersburg 1899 Corps des Pages - First Trip Home - Constantinople 1900 The Crown Prince’s Visit - King Umberto’s Funeral 1901 Exams at the Corps - the Kschessinka Affair - The King’s Trip to Java - Page to the Empress 1902 Joining the Hussars - Trip to America - Corps des Pages Centenary 1903 Regimental Life - the Great Ball - Second Trip Home 1904 Return to Russia - Russo-Japanese War - Military Academy 1905 The Hussar Officer - Representing the King - Revolution 1906-1910 From Russia to Siam - Scandal & Fatherhood - The King’s Last Years Appendices Summary of the Letters Selected Bibliography and Photographic Credits Acknowledgements Index

Narisa Chakrabongse is the grandaughter of Prince Chakrabongse. She reveals here for the first time some 200 letters, which have been held in personal archives in Thailand.