The story, The King and I is based on the novel, Anna and the King of Siam written by Margaret Landon.Thai historians have criticized The King and I for over-romanticizing the King's friendship with Anna and for suggesting that his political achievements were her doing. The suggestion of any sort of romance between Anna Leonowens and King Mongkut is pure fiction. Victorian notions of race and social propriety made such a romance unthinkable to both of them. Also, considering strict rules in the palace and the status of women in
those strict days, it was almost impossible that Anna could gain
liberal access to the King and become his key advisor.The King
and I as a movie and a play, although a beautiful production with
exquisite music, is considered by the Thais to be tasteless, untruthful,
inconsiderate, and insulting. While audiences everywhere applaud
the success of the play, they most likely don't realize how offensive
it is considered by the Thai people. It insults their beloved
and reverend King. They see their King and his people, portrayed
as simple and childlike. Additionally, the facts about the Thai
history, the monarchy, the people and even their art are completely
distorted. The film, starring Yul Brynner, so insulted the Thai
people, that it was banned from being shown in Thailand on grounds
of historical and cultural distortions. Fox originally hoped for
the new movie Anna and the King to be made in Thailand.
The script went through five re-writes in order to correct a long
list of objections but to no avail. The new Anna and the King has been officially banned in Thailand as it was also found to be insulting to the monarchy, disrespectful to the Royal Family and to distort history.