AS SEEN ON TV: THE KRALAHOME

CHOW PHYA SRE-SURY WONGSE SAMUHA-P'HRA

AS SEEN IN:
'Anna And The King'

AS PLAYED BY:
Keye Luke

"The Kralahome" was the Prime Minister of Siam at the time of events depicted in 'Anna And The King'. He was also the cousin to the King.

From the site for the Lyric Opera of San Diego:
His name was Chao Phya Si Suriyawongse. Anna had lived in his palace for several months when she first arrived in Bangkok and claimed to have been very friendly with his wife. The way in which he is portrayed varies from source to source, but he was very much the autocrat. He was instrumental in bringing Mongkut to the throne, served as his Prime Minister and then as regent for Chulalongkorn during his minority. As the latter, he effectively ruled the country, reportedly doing things in the new King's name but without his consent. It has been suggested he even wished to become the King himself. He made his son Prime Minister under Chulalongkorn and one of his half-brothers was the Foreign Secretary. When Chulalongkorn reached his majority, the Kralahome tried to keep control, but the new young King gradually managed to assert himself and rule the country.

THE MORE YOU KNOW

BCnU!