Chakri Dynasty (Rattanakosin Period)

H.M. Vajiravudh (King Rama VI)
Reign: 23 October 1910 – 26 November 1925

King Vajivarudh was the son of King Chulalongkorn. He received his senior education at the Royal Military College in Britain, and served 3-months as a captain in its Light infantry. Thereafter he studied law and history at Oxford, but was struck with appendicitis that prevented his graduation. Upon return to Siam, he underwent temporary monkhood in accordance with Siamese tradition.

Valuing western style education, King Vajivarudh built an all-boy's boarding school in the likes of Britain’s Eton and Harrow. Named the Royal Pages College, it was posthumously renamed Vajiravudh College. He also upgraded the Civil Servant School to "Chulalongkorn Academy for Civil Officials", the precursor to today's Chulalongkorn University.

In 1911, he established the Wild Tiger Corps a para-military corp outside of the established military hierarchy. Initially formed as a royal ceremonial guard, it transformed to became a military force on its own. Members of the corps were appointed to high ranks in the army and civil service, actions that struck discord with officers in the military establishment.

In 1912, a group of young army and naval officers inspired by the successful overthrow of the Qing Dynasty in China months earlier, decided to rebel. Their plans were however not thought out well, with members having contradictory goals that ranged from replacing the king with another brother, establishing a constitutional monarchy, to abolishing the monarchy by creating a republic. The person chosen by lottery to assassinate the king, backed out and confessed the plans to the king’s brother who served as head of the army. All conspirators were arrested and sentenced by a military tribunal to sentences that included long-term imprisonment and execution.

King Vajivarudh later rescinded the punishments stating that there were no casualties, and that the perpetrators acted in belief that it was in the best interest of the country. The causes of the uprising did not go unrecognized by the king. The Wild Tiger Corps was disbanded soon thereafter, with its youth wing being transformed into the Boy Scouts.

During the World War 1, Siam sided with the Allied Powers. This later enabled Siam negotiate with Western powers as a partner, albeit a junior one. Siamese pilots were trained in France and led to the founding of the Royal Thai Air Force, the Airborne Postal Service, the Siamese Transport Corps, and the Medical Corps.

To facilitate development, King Vajivarudh supported the construction of Don Mueang Airport and the extension of railways to the southern provinces. The construction of the Rama VI Bridge enabling the railway over the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok began in 1922, the same year the railway reached Chiang Mai. The Bangkok railway station at Hua Lamphong was then established as a center of Siamese railroads. The king he also continued his father’s encouragement in the development of better rice varieties, by encouraging competitions, and founded what is today Thailand's Rice Research Center.

Seeing World War 1 as a lesson, King Vajivarudh set out to create and promote Siamese nationalism. He changed the Flag of Siam from the elephant banner to the tricolour banner that represents the monarchy, religion, and people. Furthermore, he set the foundation of democracy by initiating an ‘experimental township’ called Dusit Thani, that has its own elections, parliament, and the press.

King Vajivarudh was one of Thailand's most highly renowned artists, writing modern novels, short stories, newspaper articles, poems, plays, and journals. He translated many of English and French literary works into Thai. These included Shakespeare plays, and novels from renowned authors of the day. He also wrote many pieces promoting Thai identity and nationalism.

The king was well-versed in Indian literature, including the Ramayana and the Mahabharata epics. He translated many stories from the two epics into Thai and also wrote plays inspired by Hindu literature. This inspiration resulted in the system of naming the Rattanakosin era Siamese monarchs after god-king Rama, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the main protagonist of the Ramayana epic.

To preserve the rich cultural legacies of Thailand, he supported the establishment of the Thai National Theatre, the Fine Arts Department, and the National Museum.

H.M. Prajadhipok (King Rama VII)
Reign: 26 November 1925 – 2 March 1935

Born in 1893 to King Chulalongkorn and Queen Saovabha Phongsri, Prince Prajadhipok—later King Prajadhipok—was the youngest of nine children, initially seeming unlikely to ascend to the throne. Instead, he pursued a military career, studying at Eton College and then the Woolwich Military Academy, where he graduated in 1913. After his father’s death in 1910, he returned to Siam to serve in the Royal Siamese Army.

Following the premature deaths of his elder brothers, he first became Crown Prince and thereafter King of Siam at the age of thirty-two. Faced with economic distress and political unrest, he established the Supreme Council of State to assist in governance. This council, composed of senior royal princes, signified a return to a rule reminiscent of his grandfather's reign.

Prajadhipok’s reign was characterized by significant austerity measures aimed at addressing fiscal crises, successfully reducing government expenditures within a year. However, these cuts led to widespread unemployment among the educated middle class, which resulted in political resentment.

As the global Great Depression deepened, King Prajadhipok faced pressure to cut the military budget, risking alienation of the armed forces. In a pivotal moment in Thai history, the 'Khana Ratsadon' (People's Party) staged a bloodless coup on June 24, 1932, that that brought the rule of an absolute monarchy to an end. King Prajadhipok accepted their demands for a constitutional monarchy and promulgated the first permanent constitution.

In the early stages of this constitutional regime, King Prajadhipok attempted to balance power with the Khana Ratsadon while seeking to restore the monarchy’s prestige. However, conflicts arose, particularly over economic policies and the distribution of power. His relationship with the Khana Ratsadon deteriorated, culminating in a failed rebellion in October 1933 led by Prince Boworadej, who accused the government of disrespecting the monarchy.

As tensions escalated, King Prajadhipok eventually chose to abdicate in 1935 after prolonged struggles with the Khana Ratsadon over royal powers and assets. He spent the remainder of his life in England with Queen Rambai Barni, living a quiet life until his death in 1941.

King Prajadhipok made several notable contributions to Thai culture during his reign. He emphasized the importance of a unified Thai identity, fostering cultural nationalism and reviving interest in traditional customs, arts, and literature. His support for the arts, particularly traditional Thai music and dance, helped preserve and promote these integral cultural forms of expression.

Recognizing education's role in cultural development, he initiated reforms that included establishing new schools and promoting local languages and history in curricula, enhancing cultural awareness among the populace. His advocacy for literature and the written word contributed to a more literate society and vibrant cultural discourse, supported by the publication of newspapers and a variety of literary works.