In January 1867, the French Mekong Exploration Commission sidetracked its Mekong journey to visit the Siamese city of Ubon on the Mun River, one of the tributaries of the Mekong. Members of the French delegation were invited to attend the anointment of the new ruler. A French chronicle reads: ¨The morning of the big day we were deafened by the noise of gongs [and drummers]  Everyone gathered at the palace. Soon the retinue emerged and paraded on the great square. Mounted on a big elephant, which had gigantic tusks, the king of Oubon appeared, surrounded by guards on foot and horses, and followed by his highest dignitaries, mounted as he was.〃.