Although Westerners, ranging from Christian missionaries to school teachers, had been present in Siam prior to the reign of King Chulalongkorn, it was during this King’s reign that one sees an increase in the integration of Westerners into the daily life and culture. King Chulalongkorn introduced Europeans with a plethora of skills and abilities, such as architects and artists from Italy, bringing them into the country to work in conjunction with Siamese people. This ‘east meets west’ continued, reaching its zenith during the reigns of King Chulalongkorn and his sons, King Vajiravudh and King Prajadhipok.
We move to and fro, exploring the daily lives of Westerners in Siam, and how they worked and interacted with Siamese people in the early 20th century. There is movement, as Siam becomes a blend of Eastern and Western cultures.