The total eclipse of the sun on August 18th 1868 was very important to King Mongkut of Siam (now Thailand). A skilled amateur astronomer, he had predicted the time and position of the total eclipse and aimed to use it to show his country to the best advantage. This is a very different view of the king to his portrayal in the musical and films. It was not the first time a King of Siam had invited French astronomers to his country. This book also tells of the French astronomical expedition invited by King Narai in 1685 to set up an observatory, and includes the stories of some other fateful eclipses in the history of Thailand, that followed. This is the first time the full account has been put together in the English language. The Director of Bangkok Planetarium found it interesting. Website has extra links.