Narisa Chakrabongse – författare

Katya & the Prince of Siam is the story of a daring love affair and marriage between a beautiful young Ukrainian-Russian girl Ekaterina Ivanovna Desnitskaya from Kiev and Prince Chakrabongse, one of King Chulalongkorn‘s favourite sons. It tells of their meeting in St Petersburg in 1904 where the Prince had an honorary commission in the Hussars as a protégé of Tsar Nicolas II, of elopement to Constantinople and their journey to Siam. At first she was an outcast in Thai Society, known as Mom Katerin, but gradually gained love and respect. In 1908, their son, Prince Chula, was born and for the next 10 years they enjoyed life in Bangkok society as well as making various trips abroad and throughout Siam.Making use of unpublished archive material, the book is a fascinating insight into life of both pre-Revolutionary Russia and the Siamese court. This revised edition by Narisa Chakrabongse includes many newly found letters which provide new insights into the lives of Katya, Prince Chakrabongse and their son Prince Chula.

The area centred around the Grand Palace bordered by the Chao Phraya river on the west and Khlong Khu Muang Doem on the east is undoubtedly Bangkok's cultural centre. Known as Rattanakosin Island, it is home to most of the city's most important temples - Wat Pho, Wat Rajabhopit, and Wat Mahathat, to mention just a few - as well as Museum Siam and the recently renovated National Museum. To the south of this iconic area is the famous flower market, while to the north is the tourist mecca of Khao San Road. Exploring Old Bangkok takes the visitor around all the most important sights as well as explaining the meaning of lesser-known landmarks such as the Pig memorial or the Monument to the Expeditionary Force. The guide also includes iconic sights on the west bank of the river such as Wat Arun and the royal barge museum. With the opening of the magnificent metro station, Sanam Chai, access to this centre of culture and Thai art has never been easier. Alternatively, visitors can reach the area via the ever-popular tourist boats and maybe take a khlong trip from Tha Chang. Exploring Old Bangkok also features two fascinating walks and a pull-out map with suggestions of where to stay and where to eat.

The photographs of these journeys form one of the most extensive records of any region taken in the 19th century. The range, depth and aesthetic quality of John Thomson’s photographic vision mark him out as one of the most important travel photographers.Thomson arrived in Siam in 1865 and with the help of the British Consul in Bangkok, he was able to gain an audience with King Mongkut who granted him permission to take some formal portraits of the King, his royal family and chief ministers, as well as recording important ceremonies and travelling to Ayutthaya, Petchaburi and the surrounding countryside. Staying in Bangkok for several months he photographed many aspects of the city, river scenes, its surrounding countryside and people, before journeying to Cambodia and the amazing Angkor Wat ruins. After an arduous and dangerous journey, Thomson became the first photographer to document Angkor Wat before returning to London.Between 1868-1872 Thomson turned his attention to China, making extensive trips to Guangdon, Fujian, Beijing and China’s north-east travelling down the Yangtze river and covering nearly 5,000 miles.In China, Thomson’s photographic skills reached their zenith and his portraits of women are particularly remarkable.His collection of over 600 glass negatives form a unique archive of images, which are today housed in the Wellcome Library, London.

The Italianate villa, Chakrabongse House was built almost 120 years ago on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River with magnificent views to Wat Kalaya, the Wichai Prasit fort and Wat Arun. It was commissioned by Prince Chakrabongse and his wife Katya as a private retreat from their main residence Paruskavan Palace. Designed by Turin-born architect Mario Tamagno, the tall villa with its beautiful teak staircase and panelling has accumulated paintings and works of art from three generations of the Chakrabongse family. Prince Chula who inherited the house after the sudden death of his father in 1920 never lived here full time. Educated in England, the prince's plans to spend more time in Bangkok were foiled by the Second World War. Instead he lived in Cornwall, while the house in Bangkok was well maintained but somewhat unloved. It was only when Narisa, who inherited the house on the death of her parents, that creating a home full of antiques, paintings and memories began. In A House by the River Narisa takes the reader through her home, pointing out some important features and the precious items it contains. She also recounts the stories, happy and sad, of the people who stayed here - Prince Chakrabongse, Prince Chula, Lisba and now Narisa and Gee. She also explains why she started her publishing company and opened the boutique hotel, Chakrabongse Villas.

Katya & the Prince of Siam is the story of a daring love affair and marriage between a beautiful young Ukrainian-Russian girl Ekaterina Ivanovna Desnitskaya from Kiev and Prince Chakrabongse, one of King Chulalongkorn‘s favourite sons. It tells of their meeting in St Petersburg in 1904 where the Prince had an honorary commission in the Hussars as a protégé of Tsar Nicolas II, of elopement to Constantinople and their journey to Siam. At first she was an outcast in Thai Society, known as Mom Katerin, but gradually gained love and respect. In 1908, their son, Prince Chula, was born and for the next 10 years they enjoyed life in Bangkok society as well as making various trips abroad and throughout Siam.Making use of unpublished archive material, the book is a fascinating insight into life of both pre-Revolutionary Russia and the Siamese court. This revised edition by Narisa Chakrabongse includes many newly found letters which provide new insights into the lives of Katya, Prince Chakrabongse and their son Prince Chula.

A tsarevich, Nicholas visited Bangkok in 1891 as part of his Eastern Tour, celebrating the opening of the eastern branch of the Trans-Siberian Railroad. Lavishly entertained by the Thai monarch, the two become close and an enduring friendship ensued.The king's son, Prince Chakrabongse, was invited to study in St Petersburg at the Tsar's court, and his 8-year stay was paid for by Nicholas. He was treated as a member of the family and had a unique insight into Tsarist Russia. His letters home to his father, the king, are insightful, full of observations and news about the Russian court. The king was equally candid in his replies, making for a revealing read for anyone with an interest in this period of history.

A tsarevitch, Nicholas visited Bangkok in 1891 as part of his Eastern Tour, celebrating the opening of the eastern branch of the Trans-Siberian Railroad. Lavishly entertained by the Thai monarch, the two become close and an enduring friendship ensued.The king's son, Prince Chakrabongse, was invited to study in St Petersburg at the Tsar's court, and his 8-year stay was paid for by Nicholas. He was treated as a member of the family and had a unique insight into Tsarist Russia. His letters home to his father, the king, are insightful, full of observations and news about the Russian court. The king was equally candid in his replies, making for a revealing read for anyone with an interest in this period of history.Text in Thai.