Tensions naturally ran high. In June 1893, warships from various nations arrived off the mouth of the Chao Phraya and might have to evacuate their compatriots in case of a French attack on Bangkok. The Germans sent the gunboat Wolf and the Dutch steamship Sumbawa showed up from Batavia. The Royal Navy sent HMS Pallas from Singapore.
What many may not know is that a Belgian is the most influential European in Thailand's history. Gustave Rolin-Jaequemyns was an advisor to King Chulalongkorn (Rama V).
The Rolin-Jaequemyns Mission Legal Advisers
In order to fully form part of the European-dominated world order of the late nineteenth century, a number of non-Western states were diplomatically put under 'gentle pressure' by the great powers at the end of the nineteenth century to comply with a number of conditions. For example, Siam – present-day Thailand – had to adopt a modern legal system, comply with international legal rules, set up a diplomatic corps and have properly functioning government bodies.
