In the reign of King Boromakot of the Ayudhya period, Princess Kunton and Princess Mongkut were fascinated by a story told them by their Javanese governess about charming Prince Inao (Inu Panyee Karatapati) of the Indonesian Shailendra dynasty (807A.D.), a great lover as well as a valiant warrior. From this time on the legend became a well-known dance drama in the Royal Thai court until the reign of King Chulalongkorn. Rama V. Chaochom Manda Khian, the mother of my great grandfather (H.R.H. Prince Naradhip son of King Mongkut), and niece of Queen Somanat, was renowned for playing the role of Inao.

In these times it was royal practice that when a prince was born, King Mongkut would lay a little sword as a gift in the baby's basket. For the birth of Prince Naradhip, the king added a dagger or kris as a special present for the Son of Inao. When I was asked upon to design a hotel on Chaweng beach, Samui Island; realizing fully well myself that the southern part of Thailand was once a territory in the Sri Vijaya Kingdom, Kulay Pan - the name of the capital city in the story of Inao, sprang immediately to my mind. Falling in love with the location was a delight from the first moment. Through the coconut grove before me is a view all the way to the horizon... waves dancing on a shimmering sea, a small isle and the endless blue sky. Beauty, natural in form. Perfect light and color. I decided straightaway that we could never spoil such a truly wonderful vista. The view is ever marvelous: at dawn, the break of day, late morning and towards noon, in the afternoon and twilight, or even late at night you will find the indescribably beautiful seascape and heavens changing their charms with time, your spirit and your dreams.
Come and be enchanted day and night at Muang Kulaypan.
by M.L. Archava Varavana (July 19th, 1996)

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