The Story Behind  Anna's
The story of the English Anna Harriette Leonowens, governess to the children Of King Rama IV of Thailand King Mongkut, is a much documented and publicized one. It is a familiar story ( often over romanticized ) for stage and film productions such as “ The King and I “. However, Anna and the King himself are historical characters, largely misunderstood abroad. Anna Leonowens and her toddler son arrived in Bangkok aboard the steamer Choa Praya on March 15, 1862. She had been strongly recommended to the Siamese counsel in Singapore when King Mongkut expressed his desire for a teacher to educate his many children in the English tongue.

Anna’s arrival in the mysterious land of Siam was at a time when most of Southeast Asia had become colonised by either England or France. In the midst of this upheaval in the region, Thailand remained un-colonised through the great efforts of King Mongkut. As one writer has commented “ ...He was one of the 19^th centuries greatest Asian statesman, dedicated to serving his people and shielding them from European colonial rule”.
This restaurant is named after Anna Leonowens to celebrate the great period in Thailand’s history during the reign of the open-minded and brave King Mongkut who recognised the importance of learning English and opening his country to foreign trade. Through all his efforts to modernise and internationalise, he managed to preserve his nation’s independence and culture.