claim. After arguments between Surasak Montri and Pavie, it was agreed in 1888 that French Indochina received Sipsong Chuthai while Siam retained Houaphanh. Franco-Siamese relations deteriorated after French seizure of Sipsong Chuthai in 1887. Auguste Pavie, who had earlier been transferred to become French consul in Bangkok, brought gunboat Lutin to Bangkok in March 1893 and pressed Siamese government to relinquish all Lao lands on the left (east) bank of Mekong. When Siam did not comply, the French advanced their forces into Laos, resulting in killing of French officer Grosgurin at the hands of Phra Yot Mueang Khwang () the Siamese governor of Khammouan in June 1893. French parliament in Paris, dominated by colonialist sentiments, ordered strong military retaliation on Siam. Two more French gunboats, Inconstant and Comète, entered Chao Phraya River, forcing its way up to Bangkok to threaten Siamese royal palace as gunfire was exchanged between French gunboats and Siamese Chulachomklao Fort in the Paknam Incident. Prince Devawongse the Minister of Foreign Affairs went to 'congratulate' French invaders but Pavie presented ultimatum, urging Siam to cede lands east of Mekong, to pay indemnity of three million francs and to punish Phra Yot Mueang Khwang. As Siam hesitated, the French imposed naval blockade on Bangkok. Siamese court hoped to find British support against French aggression but the British were unresponsive so Siam resolved to comply unconditionally to French demands in July 1893. French gunboats left Bangkok in August 1893 but proceeded to occupy Chanthaburi on Siamese eastern coast to assure Siam's compliance. The treaty was signed in October 1893. Laos, which had been under Siamese rule for about a century since 1779, joined French Indochina in 1893. Franco–Siamese War of 1893 or Crisis of Year 112 () was the time when Siam came closest to being conquered by Western imperialist power. Reforms of King Chulalongkorn After the demise of Somdet Chaophraya Si Suriyawong in 1883, King Chulalongkorn was in control of government by mid-1880s and was able to implement reforms. After decades of powerful nobility domination, Chulalongkorn brought many royal princes – his brothers and sons – to government roles. The princes received modernized education and formed educated elite echelon. The king began to send his sons for European education in 1885. Many princes were specialized in their responsible fields. Most notable ones were Prince Devawongse for foreign affairs and Prince Damrong for internal affairs. Taking European model, at