Opened Eyes

At 4 p. m. rain clouds rolled back like a grey curtain. The yellow afternoon sun turned the thousand gilded spires of Bangkok into spikes of flame. Along the waterfront, in ferryboats, tugs, launches, sampans and barges, every Bangkokian who could find foothold was wedged, patiently waiting, eyes fixed on the royal yacht Mahachakri as it poked its golden prow toward the landing. The King & Queen of Siam were returning from the U. S.*

Minuscule King Prajadhipok in a white dress uniform, the sunlight gleaming from his new spectacles, stood on the bridge, beside pretty little Queen Rambai Barni. Glittering with decorations, a delegation of relations and officials were waiting under a red-&-green lacquer pagoda. Not a sound came from the crowds on the shore until family greetings were over.

Then pandemonium broke. Steam whistle cords were tied down. Flower garlands rained through the air. Loyal subjects yelled their throats out. Their Majesties, smiling, nodding, drove over brick paved streets lined with every uniform in Siam: boy scouts, girl scouts, the army, navy, police and diplomatic corps were out en masse. Even the thousands of naked children that normally clutter the streets of the city were swathed by their proud parents in bunting.

On the way to the palace King Prajad-hipok stopped at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (where he had served his novitiate as a monk before his coronation) to worship his six royal ancestors while yellow-robed priests spun prayer wheels. From the palace jovial Prince Svasti, the King's father-in-law (who smokes fat cigarets) issued a statement:

"His Majesty's eyes have been opened, both figuratively and literally, by his American visit. He has regained his eyesight, thanks to the skill of American surgical science, as well as practical ideas concerning governmental, industrial and scientific matters."

In Bangkok almost no one went to bed except the King & Queen that night. He took off his spectacles and they both put on national costume, for public policy and the photographers. During the celebration a perspiring student beamed at U. S. Correspondent St. Clair McKelway:

"You see, to the Siamese nothing much matters except the King."

Early next morning, while the loyal subjects slept off their headaches, King Prajadhipok was up with his eyes open, planning a new law to allow the citizens of Bangkok, capital of his absolute kingdom, to elect their own municipal officers.

* So that Their Majesties could land at 4 p.m., the hour prescribed by Siamese omen readers as best, the royal yacht took the royal party off the S. S. Empress of Canada in which they crossed the Pacific, then waited just out of sight of Bangkok until the Auspicious Hour.

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