Anfang der Eisenbahn in Thailand

the long version

Everybody knows the story of Anna Leonowens from England, who went to Bangkok in 1862, to educate the children of King Mangkut in a European way. She wrote in her book *»Anna and the King of Siam«* about life in the royal palace. But she lived with all luxury. It's hardly known, that almost about the same time, a German, named **Luis Weiler**, came to Thailand, to support the beginning construction of the Thai-Railway. However he did not live in luxury, but in mountainous regions without any comfort, without shelter, in danger of death by malaria and tigers, and neither good food nor clean water was available. He described in a deeply moving way the situation of the country, its inhabitants, and their way of life. And then suddenly the King and his entourage come to visit him in the primeval forest - a moment of great happiness for him.