King Chulalongkorn the Great (Rama V) was the eldest son of King Mongkut (Rama IV) and Queen Debsirindra. Born on September 20, 1853, he was given the royal title Prince Chulalongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun. From an early age, he was closely educated by his father in statecraft, royal traditions, and governance, while also learning English, Pali, and martial disciplines such as swordsmanship, wrestling, and elephant training.
Ascension to the Throne
King Chulalongkorn ascended the throne on October 1, 1868, at the age of fifteen. Initially, Chao Phraya Si Suriyawong served as regent until the King’s second coronation in 1873, after which he began to rule independently. His reign lasted 42 years, during which he transformed Siam into a modern nation comparable to Western powers.
Administrative Reforms
To strengthen national governance and resist Western colonial pressures, the King restructured Siam’s administration:
- Established the Council of State and the Privy Council (1874)
- Created 12 ministries to manage state affairs (1892)
- Reorganized regional administration into monthon (provinces)
- Abolished the corvée labor and slavery systems, granting freedom and equal rights to all citizens
Judicial and Legal Reforms
King Chulalongkorn established a unified legal system under the new Ministry of Justice, eliminating extraterritorial rights previously granted to foreigners. He ordered the drafting of the first Penal Code and founded the Law School to train professional jurists.
Military and Police Modernization
He reorganized the army based on European standards, introducing mandatory conscription and establishing the Royal Military Academy and national police forces to ensure peace and order throughout the country.
Abolition of Slavery
Perhaps his most celebrated reform was the peaceful abolition of slavery. Beginning in 1874, the Slave Liberation Act gradually freed all slaves over a span of 30 years without social conflict. The process culminated in the Complete Abolition Act of 1905, marking Siam as one of the first Asian nations to end slavery humanely.
Education Reforms
Understanding that education was key to progress, the King expanded public schooling, established the Department of Education, and initiated the King’s Scholarship for study abroad. His vision ultimately led to the foundation of Chulalongkorn University, Thailand’s first higher education institution, established in 1917 as a living memorial to his legacy.
Economic and Financial Reforms
King Chulalongkorn modernized Siam’s economy by introducing new tax systems, national budgeting, and separating royal and state finances. He established the Ministry of Finance (1892), introduced the baht currency system, and authorized the printing of Thailand’s first banknotes (1902). He also supported the founding of the Siam Commercial Bank, the first Thai-owned bank.
Arts, Literature, and Religion
A gifted artist and writer, the King was an avid photographer, leaving behind thousands of photos that now serve as vital historical records. His literary works, poems, and royal writings remain treasured in Thai literature. He founded the National Library (Vajiranana Library) and issued Siam’s first Copyright Act.
As a devout Buddhist and protector of all religions, he commissioned the construction of renowned temples such as Wat Ratchabophit and Wat Benchamabophit, and oversaw the publication of the Siam Edition of the Tripitaka in 1888. The Sangha Act of 1902 was enacted to modernize monastic administration.
Transportation and Infrastructure
King Chulalongkorn developed modern infrastructure including roads, bridges, canals, railways, telegraphs, and postal systems. Major projects included Ratchadamnoen Avenue and the first Thai railway line from Bangkok to Korat (1893). He also introduced electricity, telephones, and waterworks to the kingdom.
Public Health and Welfare
He founded the Siamese Red Cross Society in 1893 and established Siriraj Hospital, the first public hospital in Thailand, marking the beginning of organized healthcare in the country.
Foreign Relations
King Chulalongkorn was the first Thai monarch to travel abroad, visiting neighboring Asian nations and later Europe in 1897 and 1907. His visits strengthened diplomatic relations and helped maintain Siam’s independence amidst colonial expansion.
Cultural Reforms and Royal Traditions
The King modernized Thai customs—replacing traditional hairstyles and clothing with Western styles, abolishing the custom of crawling before royalty, and introducing more egalitarian etiquette, reflecting the modernization of Thai society.
Passing and Legacy
King Chulalongkorn passed away on October 23, 1910, at the age of 57, after 42 years on the throne. Deeply loved by his people, he was posthumously titled “Phra Piya Maharat” – The Beloved Great King. To this day, October 23 is celebrated in Thailand as King Chulalongkorn Memorial Day (Wan Piyamaharaj Day), honoring his enduring legacy of modernization, compassion, and national unity.
Written for educational purposes by Autobiography-Thailand Blog — celebrating the people and stories that shaped the Thai nation.
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