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Author: Eric Lim Article source: http://www.tour-bangkok-legacies.com/. Used with author's permission.
King Rama V or King Chulalongkorn (1853 - 1910) was the
monarch who steered Thailand clear of colonization and
initiated the Chakri Reformation to put Thailand on the road
to modernization.
King Chulalongkorn was appointed king at the age of fifteen
after the death of his father King Mongkut in 1868. Chao
Phraya Suriyawong acted as regent until the young king was
twenty and old enough to ascend the throne in 1873.
With the benefit of a Thai and western education, King Rama
V was well equipped for his future role. His English tutor was
Anna Leonowens, whose controversial memoirs were to cause
deep offence to the Thais a century later. This education
however, enabled him, like his father, to grasp the prevailing
international political situation, which was then dominated by
the western colonial powers.
The reign of King Rama V was fraught with extreme
difficulties. The greatest threat to the kingdom was the growing
demands of Britain and France, which threaten the
independence of Thailand. He knew it would be disastrous to
stand up to the gunboat diplomacy of these powers. Well aware
of dangers of closing up the country, he wisely chose to do what
we would now call constructive engagement.
Internally Thailand faced the problem of border provinces that
threaten the integrity of the kingdom. Determined to
modernize and strengthen Thailand against these threats, King
Rama V started a series of reforms that became known as the
Chakri Reformation.
In the first 10 years of his reign he faced stiff resistance from
the old ruling families who were jealously guarding their
vested interests. The young king shrewdly waited for the old
guard to outlive their time.
King Rama V realized that diplomacy had to be conducted
directly with western governments and not with their colonial
counterparts in Asia, who were more in favor of extending
territorial influence. By skillful diplomacy, King Rama V
balanced London and Paris off against their colonial
governments in Asia and one foreign power off against the
other.
As part of his modernization program, King Rama V
implemented several changes to the government.
Civil service - In 1888, the ministries responsible for
various regions were reorganized along functional lines. More
ministries and a civil service school were added. A cabinet was
formed in 1892 to formulate national policy. Commoners were
accepted on merit and not family connections. By the gradual
staffing of new blood, King Rama V broke up the dominance of
the old ruling families.
Finance - Collection of state revenue was centralized
at the Ministry of Finance instead of at individual ministries.
Other reforms included a central budget system, an audit
system and the separation of the King's finances from the state.
Foreign Affairs - King Rama V appointed the brilliant
Prince Devawongse as the first Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Known as the father of Thai foreign affairs, Prince
Devawongse was instrumental in neutralizing the demands of
Britain and France.
Military - The army was reorganized along the lines
of a modern army with the establishment of a military
academy and military conscription in 1902.
Education - Generations of young men of common
birth were educated overseas. National education was
conducted in standardized Central Thai instead of local
dialects. Besides stressing religion, the system reinforced
loyalty to a single king.
Infrastructure - In 1883 telegraph services were
established, followed by the first railway in 1891, roads,
housing, postal services and an irrigation system for the central
plains. The kingdom was opened up to foreign expertise and
foreign education.
Social reforms - On ascending the throne in 1873,
King Rama V abolished slavery. This was implemented in
stages to reduce the social impact and forced labor was
completely eradicated by 1905. The king also held public
audiences to allow the people to speak directly to the king.
King Rama V traveled abroad extensively in Asia and Europe
to see at first hand modern government. He was convinced that
Thailand needed European technology but not at the expense
of Thai tradition and independence. His far-reaching reforms
reflected a vision years ahead of his time.
By 1910, Thailand remained uncolonised. But the price was
heavy: the loss of half a million sq km of territory on the
borders with Burma, Cambodia, Laos and Malaya; the loss of
tax revenues from extra-territorial rights of Europeans in
Thailand who were exempt from Thai taxes and laws.
King Rama V died on 23 October 1910. Widespread national
mourning followed his death. That day has been declared the
day of the Great Beloved King. As one of the most revered
monarchs in Thai history, his photograph is displayed in many
Thai homes, companies and shops to this day.
The King Rama V Equestrian Monument, where thousands
flock on 23 October every year to pay homage to him, stands to
the south of Dusit Garden, the palace created by him. It's a
monument to a great king who left his legacy in the history of
Bangkok and Thailand. King Rama V first appeared in Tour Bangkok
Legacies a historical travel site on people, places and
events that shaped the landscape of Bangkok. The author Eric
Lim, a free-lance writer, lives in Bangkok Thailand.
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