The Lao and Siamese are ill prepared…

The Lao and Siamese are ill prepared to face up to the new danger of anarchy in their domains.

Tiantha Koumane is dying of malaria, and the Siamese, preoccupied with preparations for the cremation of their own monarch, Rama IV, demand that a tribute mission from Luang Prabang arrive in Bangkok in time for the ceremony.

Many princes and senior officials have to absent themselves from Luang Prabang at this critical time and have to remain in Bangkok afterward for audiences with the new monarch.

Oun Kham, who is already fifty-eight years old, does not receive his crown from the Siamese until 1872.