Thread: Memory Lane (In my own language)

The colorized B&W photo courtesy of ‘Page Siam Colorization by Noomrattana’ shows the religious ceremony on the occasion of the opening of Sa Orathai (Orathai pond, 1905) by the command of Princess Orathai Thepkanya (1859 - 1906) who was a daughter of King Mongkut (Rama IV).

According to page 35/851, the Princess had been sick for so long that it damaged the some nerve cells which also caused her mentally ill. Eventually, she decided to commit suicide at the age of 40s.

It was said that her illness could not be cured by any means, whether it was modern treatments from farung or Siamese doctors or even consulting with the superstitious methods.

After her death, rumors had it that her ghost was frequently seen around the pool which she had it constructed. Sometimes loud noises like someone jumped into the pool were heard.

The stories spread into King Rama V’s ear. He deemed it as a disgrace to the deceased. Therefore, a proof was set to find whether the stories were true or not.

Finally, the truth came out that the noise was from a very large type of snake, elephant trunk snake (acrochordus javanicus).

The King, thus, ordered a proper merit dedicated to the deceased once again and in time, the ghost story had disappeared.

(Note: The monk seen in the photo was the Supreme Patriarch of Siam who was the King’s half brother)