Natalie pulls a fast one, but hey, that's okay

As you'll see in tomorrow's Nation, the idea was for seven selected "bodyguards" to deliver the Russian-born-Canadian-honorary-Thai to the home of her grandparents in the town of Taupse.

After six days of sightseeing around western Russia, the big day finally arrived and the whole Thai entourage was amassed in Taupse.

The problem was, Natalie had changed her mind. She'd met briefly with her grandparents the evening before, and realised she needed more private time with them after 13 years apart.

So Natalie sneaked away early in the morning for the much-anticipated visit to their house. Her escorts and the press were left in the dark until hours later when she explained what had happened.

No, they wouldn't get to see the house where she grew up after all.

Few could really complain about her wanting some privacy with the family, but there was grumbling about a perceived lack of professionalism when, after all, the trip was billed "Taking Natalie Home".

"Puen Sanit" star Panisara "Opal" Phimpru, on hand to get footage for her TV show, cheered up the glum entourage. "Okay," she said, "let's fly back to Bangkok and I'll open my house in Laksi to everyone. You'll be allowed to see any room you want."

And knowing that Natalie's contract as brand ambassador for Singha ends next month, Opal offered to take over. She might not be a beauty queen, she said, but "I'll work three times harder".