Kukrit Pramoj (1911-1995), politician, writer, classical dancer and film actor ("The Ugly American") wrote this book in 1953. The first English translation appeared in 1981.
In the preface, Kukrit writes, "It is a novel of a life my ancestors and myself have lived rather fully." He was anxious to preserve a record of the Thai traditional way of life.
The story begins in the reign of Rama V (1868-1910) -- better known as King Chulalongkorn -- and closes in 1946 at the death of Rama VIII, Ananda Mahidol, brother of the present king, Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX).