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Biography
Of
His
Majesty King Chulalongkorn
Rama
V
Every
night at the Royal Plaza in Bangkok, Thai people of all walks of life
gather in groups large and small to offer their respects at the equestrian
statue of Thailand’s beloved and honored king, King Chulalongkorn (King
Rama V) of the Chakri Dynasty. The mood is solemn as people tend to
makeshift altars laden with votive offerings of flowers, candles and
incense.
His
Royal Highness Phra Chula Chomklao Chaoyuhua was born on September 20th,
1853 in Bangkok Thailand. He was the eldest of the nine surviving sons
of King Mongkut, King Rama IV, and ascended the Throne on October 1,
1868 following the death of his father. Her Majesty Queen Sri Bajarindra
was the King’s Regent and Principal Queen. He had 92 Phra-mahese or
concubines. Of the 77 children of HM King Chulalongkorn, 33 were sons
and 44 were daughters. Of the 33 sons, only 15 produced male heirs,
continuing their lines to the present.
When
he succeeded to the throne of Siam, he was a mere boy of 15, and in
poor health. Even though Siam was popularly believed to be an absolute
monarchy, the power he inherited was limited. Real authority was in
the hands of a small oligarchy of noble families. Their control of the
nation's purse, forced labor of the peasantry, provincial administration
and legal system and the line of succession imposed enormous constraints
on the young monarch. In fact, it was a sign of the oligarchies devices
that they succeeded in placing on the throne such a young and sickly
king who was not expected to live very long.
What
lay in the young king’s favor was the invaluable training he had received
from his father His Majesty King Monkut (Rama IV). He received
an excellent education in both classical Thai and modern Western studies.
He had also received valuable guidance at his father's side. In the
initial period of his reign, King Chulalongkorn had to function under
the guidance of the regent, Chao Phraya Sri Suriyawongse (the foremost
nobleman) and other members of the regent's family who held powerful
administrative positions. The King realized that the oligarchs, whose
power and vested interests would inevitably be threatened, would greet
the reforms he wanted to introduce with hostility.
And
reform was a point of primary importance to this new king, not only
to protect his insecure throne, but also of an external threat, that
of European ambitions in the region which were becoming overt and aggressive
in the late 19th century. The colonial expansions of Britain, France
and other powers were in play. A way had to be found to resist European
imperialism, both in political and commercial terms. The worldwide economic,
social and political changes in the late nineteenth century contributed
to Siam's decision to adapt herself in order to avoid being colonized.
The King had to skillfully design his foreign policy to balance Thailand’s
relationship with contending powers, fostering friendly relationships
and avoiding confrontation. At home, King Chulalongkorn enacted a royal
policy to strengthen and improve the Siam government so that the country
could successfully resist the tide of colonialism.
King
Chulalongkorn decided to engage constructively with the colonial powers.
He did this by opening up the country to the West through skillful diplomacy,
yielding concessions without giving up sovereignty. This was decisive
as the King was buying time to consolidate his power through a modernization
drive. He implemented changes in his own household by updating the style
of dress, sponsoring Western education for his younger brothers and
peers, filling the court with open-minded young men who shared his vision.
He became educated in the systems of western governments, also sending
the royal children to be educated in Europe. He was the first Thai monarch
to widely travel abroad, making friends with the major world powers
of America, Britain, Russia and France. He also studied various models
of European colonial administration during visits to Dutch and British
holdings in Java, Malaya, Burma and India in 1871 and 1872. He slowly
and quietly laid the groundwork for the centralization of administration
in Siam.
His
Royal Highness is perhaps most popularly noted for his abolition of
slavery in 1905, and lessening the subservient position of the common
people such as the practice of prostration in public and at ceremonial
events, which was discarded. But his reforms also included the expansion
of mobility and communication with the construction of railways and
the establishment of postal and telegraph services. Provincial administration
was brought under centralized direction and augmented by specialized
functional ministries. Fiscal administration was centralized and modern
accounting, budgeting and auditing procedures were adopted. Modern law
codes and other judicial reforms were decreed, which went a long way
toward pacifying the European power’s discontent with the legal system.
He created a ministerial system in 1892, established a variety of public
institutions, particularly in the fields of health and education. Roads,
bridges, railways, telegraph lines, irrigation canals and water gates
were constructed. Mining projects were launched. Mapping was introduced.
The military forces were upgraded through conscription and the founding
of a military academy.
One of the major reforms, which would later prove to be deep-rooted and
highly effective was to improve the Siamese educational system so as
to produce capable personnel to work in both the public and private
sectors. In 1871 a school was founded
at the Royal Pages Barrack within the Grand Palace compound. Disciplines
taught at this school at first consisted of Thai and English languages,
mathematics and official protocol. Textbooks were used, curricula established
and pupils were given examinations. The pupils consisted of sons of
the members of the royal family and government officials. When these
pupils finished from the school they would serve in the palace or in
other government jobs. In 1882, King Chulalongkorn developed this school
and gave it the name of Suankularb “Rose Garden”. The school at the
Royal Pages Barrack was Siam's first attempt at modern education. The
King also established other schools, namely: the Army Cadet School,
the Cartographic School, the School for Princes, and the School for
Dhamma Studies.
But these schools were not where educational reforms
ended. The King resolved to found schools for the children of ordinary
citizens, ordering the Wat Mahan Napharam School to be established in
1884. The royal idea of setting up a modern school in a temple showed
the King's insight in maximizing already existing resources, Buddhist
temples had always been the font of learning in Siam and the idea greatly
facilitated setting up modern schools. Wat Mahan became the first "temple
school" in the country and became the model for numerous other
such schools. Primary and secondary education in Siam was thus given
a strong foundation and has progressed steadily until today.
The
insight, direction and impact of King Chulalongkorn's reforms were startling.
He restored the monarchy as an absolute power and ushered in a new order.
He sought power as a means to effect progressive change and advancement
for Siamese society. It was due to the reforms of King Chulalongkorn
that Siam's independence and sovereignty was preserved. Through his
leadership and vision Thailand stands in contrast to other Asian countries.
King Chulalongkorn was indeed a symbol of an enlightened age in Siamese
history.
On
October 23 1910, Somdej Phra Piyamaharaj, one of Thailand’s most beloved
and honored kings, died. The 42 year reign of King Rama V was marked
with change as Thailand moved into a modern age. King Rama V was considered
such a great benefactor to Thailand that Thai people donated their own
money to erect the King Rama V equestrian statue at the Royal Plaza
to honor and commemorate the advancements he made for his country and
people. Thai people believe that the King has the miraculous power of
bringing good luck and prosperity to any person who pays respects to
him. For this reason the King’s picture is found in almost every house
and business.
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