MovieChat Forums > The King and I (1956) Discussion > How is that possible for the King to hav...

How is that possible for the King to have so many kids?


I remember there was a scene where King Mongkut had answered Sir John Hay's how many children do you have question and King Mongkut answers " I have only 106 I was not married very long, next month we're expecting five more.". I was thinking how can a man and meaning one man can have 100 and something kids in a short period of time? I know he has many wives and concubines but it seems like he doesn't have time to conceive so many children and it seems like an impossible task to achieve, not even the Mormons have that many children. So is it that possible for the King Mongkut to sire so many children in such a short period of time? The movie made the reason why King Mongkut had so many children because either he had children before he royal reign or he had sexual intercourse with every wife or concubine he had everyday.

reply

During 17 years on the throne, King Mongkut had 82 children from 39 different wives. His daily routine included a mid-morning nap after which he was "attended to" by the ladies of the palace. This schedule was binding by law. The honor and dignity of the Sovereign required him to have as many wives and children as possible.


"I don't seem able to strike the congenial note."

reply


It was good to be the king.

In Thailand, 'wife' is very loosely used, so any woman he'd had sex with became his wife. Some he chose to keep around the palace for repeat performances, others were sent home.

reply

The population explosion- was he the man who caused it*

reply