Chakri Dynasty (Rattanakosin Era)
Rattanakosin Period (6 April 1782 – 2 March 1935)
When King Rama I ascended the throne on 6 April 1782, he relocated the capital to the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River opposite Thonburi, for both defensive and trade purposes. The location chosen - Rattanakosin, was then transformed into fortified city, inclusive of with canals dug to serve as moats.
21 April 1782 is regarded as the official founding date of the new capital Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (also known as Bangkok), when the City Pillar was erected - a religious practice of sanctifying a city.
The sixth monarch - King Vajiravudh, who had studied in England realised that the Siamese kings' names were difficult for Western pronunciation and correspondence. He adopted the usage of the name Rama, that referred to god-king Rama from the Hindu epic Ramayana, that were also part of the Angkor and Ayutthaya heritage. The Thai version of this epic is called Ramakien, a highly revered part of Thai literary canon and performing arts. All Thai monarchs of the Chakri dynasty were posthumously and subsequently awarded the title Rama in a numerically ascending order.
The Rattanakosin period officially ended on 24 June 1932, when members of the armed forces staged a bloodless coup. King Rama VII role was transformed from a governing absolute monarch, to a ceremonial constitutional monarch. The constitution removed the monarchy's powers, without abolishing the institution itself. The constitution also created a People's Committee (executive branch) and an Assembly of People's Representatives (legislative branch).
H.M. Phutthayotfa Chulalok (King Rama I)
Reign: 6 April 1782 – 7 September 1809
Phutthayotfa Chulalok was from a line of nobility that served in the Ayutthaya Kingdom. After the fall of Ayutthaya, he served King Taksin of Thonburi in the wars against the Burmese to reestablish Siamese rule over lost regions. After the Burmese defeated King Taksin in the north at the Battle of Pakphing in March 1776, the king ceased to personally lead armies into battle. Instead he relegated the military command to Phutthayotfa Chulalok, who won the war and emerged as Siam's most powerful military leader.
He was first confered the title Somdet Chaophraya Chakri (minister of the northern province), and later Somdet Chaophraya Maha Kasatsuek, the highest rank anyone had ever held, making him almost royal.
In December 1781, the King Taksin dispatched Phutthayotfa Chulalok and his brother to Cambodia to battle the Vietnamese and reassert Siamese control. It is said that during this time, King Taksin had already started to show signs of mental distress and paranoia. His actions of meeting out severe punishments and executions were seen to be in unwarranted and excessive. In March 1782 a rebellion broke out at Ayutthaya. and King Taksin ordered military leader Phraya San to quell the situation. Phraya San however switched side and attacked Thonburi.
Phutthayotfa Chulalok informed about the incidents while in Cambodia, brokered a truce with the Vietnamese, and marched on Thonburi. Upon his return, he convened a judicial court that placed King Taksin and Phraya San on trial for their actions. Both were found guilty of ‘improper and unjust actions that caused great pain for the kingdom’, and were executed together with their conspirators. Phutthayotfa Chulalok thereafter he took control and crowned himself as the new King of Siam (Rama I).
Between 1785 - 1786 the Burmese tried to retake Siam in what is known as the the 'Nine Armies War', because the Burmese came in nine armies that attacked from both the northwest and southwest. King Rama I personally led the forces to the north, with Siamese winning the war after eight gruelling months of war.
King Phutthayotfa also extended Siamese influence into present-day Vietnam and Cambodia. He adopted a Cambodian price that was initialled installed by pro-Vietnamese interests, and allied him to Siam thereafter. King Rama I also helped a local Vietnamese lord ascend the throne as Emperor Gia Long in Saigon (present-day Ho Chi Minh City).
The peace that ensued brought about development and prosperity to the nation, and was the start of a new Golden Age of Culture for Siam. King Phutthayotfa stablished a new purified Buddhist sect bonded the religion and the monarchy, and encouraged the propagation of Thai culture through temples and artistic expression.
H.M. Phutthaloetla Naphalai (King Rama II)
Reign: 7 September 1809 – 21 July 1824
King Phutthaloetla was the son of King Phutthayotfa. When he ascended the throne, his rule was challenged both internally and externally. The surviving son of King Taksin - Prince Kshatranichit declared himself as the rightful king and launched a rebellion but failed.
The Burmese launched three successive invasions – in November 1809, January 1810, and May 1810. The invasions were focused in the south at Phuket and the areas around Phang Nga. The Siamese managed to win all three battles, but main port city at Phuket – Thalang was destroyed.
Just fourteen years later, Burma would be embroiled in a large-scale war with the British over Assam, in which the Burmese would lose the Tenasserim Coast (bordering southern Siam). As Tenasserim was the base for Burmese invasions into Siam on many occasions and the Burmese having to pay large war indemnities to the British, the Burmese threats to Siam were all nearly extinguished, except for minor battles in the north. The Burmese-Siamese War of 1809-1812 was the last Burmese incursion into Thai territories.
Thereafter the reign of King Phutthaloetla was effectively free of conflict with peace enabling development and prosperity. The reign saw the revival of Thai religious ceremonies, festivals and royal traditions in what is considered a period of ‘cultural renaissance’. The king was patron to a number of poets in his court, as well as a renowned poet himself, and as such credited with its ‘Golden Age of Literature’.
Wars with Burma, coupled with the Napoleonic Wars in Europe, resulted in Siam having limited contact with foreign powers. King Phutthaloetla established ties with China, Britain and Portugal.
H.M. Nangklao (King Rama III)
Reign: 21 July 1824 – 2 April 1851
King Nangklao was the son of King Phutthaloetla. Prior to becoming ruler, he served as the Minister of Trade and Foreign Affairs. This experience prepared him well in a period that included neighboring conflict, regional trade, and the increasing presence of Western powers in Southeast Asia.
In the First Anglo-Burmese War, which broke out in 1824, King Rama III agreed to provide land troops and sea vessels to aid the British, in return for border lands that were conquered by them. However, tensions arose between the British and the Siamese, prompting King Rama III instructing his forces to withdraw.
The following year the British negotiate peace agreements in what is known as the Burney Treaty, to established free trade in Siam and to greatly reduce taxation on foreign trading ships. Thereafter in 1833, US President Andrew Jackson sent an envoy to meet King Nangklao, and have a trade treaty made with Siam. This Siamese–American Treaty of Amity and Commerce, with modifications is still in place today.
During the one period of conflict with the British, Anouvong – the king of Vientiane (in today’s Laos), saw an opportunity to exert power and attacked Siamese vassal states in the northeastern region. The Siamese counterattacked and Anouvong fled to Vietnam. He however launched another assault that failed, and executed thereafter.
In 1810, internal conflicts within Cambodian forced Prince Ang Duong to flee to Bangkok. In 1833, revolt broke out in Vietnam with its rebel leader . seeking Siamese aid. Taking this opportunity to install a pro-Siamese monarch on the Cambodian throne, King Rama III launched an attack on Cambodia and Saigon. The conflict lasted for 12 years with territories being gained and lost by both sides. In 1847, prompted by Vietnam’s treatment of Christian missionaries, French forces invaded Vietnam. A cessation of hostilities with Siam was then negotiated, with Ang Duong installed as king under the equal patronage of both Siam and Vietnam, bringing the war to an end.
King Nangklao was known for his Buddhist faith. As per Thai custom, he underwent monkhood in his younger days at Wat Mahathat Yuwaratrangsarit. During his reign, he had more than 50 temples constructed and repaired inlcuding those that are noatble landmarks today. His showed an interest in Chinese culture and arts, which also resulted in some temples being built with Chinese design influences.
H.M. Mongkut (King Rama IV)
Reign: 2 April 1851 – 1 October 1868
King Mongkut was the brother of King Nangklao. Before becoming the monarch, he spent 27 years as a monk. He was initially trained at Wat Ratchathiwat, but thereafter moved to Wat Bowonniwet Vihara. During this period, he traveled around the country and felt that there was a lack of adherence to the Pali Canon rules among the monks.
This inspired him to pursue religious reforms in Siam by reinforcing a more disciplined monastic life that evolved into the Dhammayut order, one of the two leading Theravada denominations in Thailand. Other notable contributions to the propagation of Buddhism include the recompilation of the Tripitaka, and making Magha Puja, the second most important Buddhist festival after Vesak, a nationally observed event.
Siam felt the pressure of Western expansionism during King Mongkut's reign. Facing the possibility of war with encroaching European powers, King Mongkut obtained the support of the Siam’s most powerful nobleman who was the head of the armed forces, and who had good relationship with the British.
Reforms were instituted in government, most notably was the taxation system in regards to foreign trade. Prior to this, international trade was a state monopoly in which locals were forbidden to trade directly with foreigners. King Rama IV removed several restrictions and layers, and reduced it to a mere 3% one off payment.
Though these actions reduced state collections significantly, it significantly helped spur the economy, grow the commercial sector, and provide its citizens with new income opportunities. The first industry to boom was agriculture which increased farm production and processing. This required improved infrastructure that brought about paving of roads for transport, and digging of canals for irrigation. This also gave rise to the banking and finance sector that further boosted opportunities in other industries.
King Mongkut embraced Western innovations and initiated the modernization of his country, both in technology and culture—earning him the nickname "The Father of Science and Technology" in Siam. He urged members of the royal house and nobility to have an European style education. Foreign missionaries and teachers (including the famous Anna Leonowens), were instrumental in bringing new ideas, information and innovation. Siam’s first newspaper which was through a foreign printing system brought wider knowledge to the masses.
Social reforms included the banning of forced marriages, and the protection of women as a form of payment against debt. Though King Mongkut could not abolish slavery, but he implemented reforms to improve their conditions and laid the foundation for eventual abolition. He enabled slaves to purchase their freedom and enacted regulations that curtailed the mistreatment of slaves.
King Mongkut also initiated reforms that reduced the arbitrary judgements and cruel punishment methods that were common practice in the past. He also allowed freedom of worship for foreigners, and did not impose the state religion on them. His personal openness to other cultures and religions helped create a more inclusive and pluralistic society in Siam.
H.M. Chulalongkorn (King Rama V)
Reign: 1 October 1868 – 23 October 1910
King Chulalongkorn was the son of King Mongkut He was 15-years old when his father died, hence for the first 5 years of his reign a highly respected nobleman by the name of Si Suriyawongse, was appointed as regent to mentor the young king.
Educated by both Thai and Western teachers, he yearned to implement more modernized system in Thailand. To gain further knowledge, he also went on field visits to neighboring states, as well as to Europe. This exposure resulted his desire for further the reforms and development that were initiated by his father.
He established a Council of State as a legislative body and a privy council as his personal advisory board based on the British privy council. He also established an ‘Audit Office’ to oversee the good governance of tax collections. Additionally, the Royal Thai Survey Department was tasked with conducting surveys to define land ownership, leading to the implementation of the Torrens title system for land registration. The first results from this system were realized in 1901, facilitating more equitable taxation.
In 1887, King Chulalongkorn established the Royal Military Academy and the Ministry of Defence to modernize the military in a Western manner. The abolition of the corvee labor system led to the introduction of military conscription through the Conscription Act of 1905, followed by the first martial law act in 1907. After the confrontation with French navy leading, he established the Royal Naval Academy in 1898.
Prior to King Chulalongkorn's reforms, Siam's government, largely unchanged since the 15th century, was divided between the Samuha Nayok, who oversaw the northern regions, and the Samuha Kalahom, responsible for the south, with both holding civil and military authority. These officials presided over a system with overlapping and ambiguous responsibilities. In 1888, Chulalongkorn began reorganizing the government by establishing ministries, initially led by royal family members, thus forming a more centralized government.
Siam was traditionally organized as a network of city-states under the decentralized city state system, in which local rulers acknowledge the king’s rule by paying a tribute, but each retaining considerable amount of autonomy. This system reflected a decentralized form of governance, where Siam functioned as a 'network' rather than a unified state.
However, the rise of European colonialism introduced the Western concept of defined territorial borders, compelling Siam to explicitly delineate its lands. The Franco-Siamese conflict of 1893 in which the French laid claim to Laos, was a compelling reason for this. This marked the first step toward establishing sub-autonomous local entities which were divided into provinces, districts, cities, towns, and villages.
A corvee system that regulated the lives of Siamese commoners and slaves existed from the Ayutthaya Kingdom period. The western education of King Rama V, and members of the royal household, compelled them to seek better human rights system in Siam. Concerned about the violent consequences of slavery's abolition in the United States, the king took a gradual approach to avoid similar upheaval as many farm economies depended on such labour.
In 1874, he introduced a law lowering the redemption price for household slaves and freeing those born in 1867, the year of his ascension, once they reached 21. He aimed to provide newly freed slaves time to settle into other areas of employment or trade. The Slave Abolition Act of 1905 officially ended slavery in all forms, with Chulalongkorn's role depicted on the reverse of the 100-baht banknotes since 2005. Seeking to reduce the nobility's power, King Chulalongkorn instituted a census and passed the Employment Act of 1900, mandating that all workers be paid for their labor, thus bringing an end to forced labor in Siam.
The construction of railways in Siam was politically motivated to enhance control over the country, with the first line opening in 1901, connecting Bangkok to Korat. That same year, Siam's first power plant began producing electricity, bringing electric lights to roadways for the first time. In 1906, King Chulalongkorn adopted a Semang orphan boy named Khanung, reflecting his commitment to social welfare. The following year, he initiated the royal rice varieties competition, initially limited to the Tung Luang and Rangsit Canal districts, which later expanded to various locations across the kingdom, continuing under Chulalongkorn and his descendants.
Understanding threat of Western powers and importance of diplomacy with them, King Chulalongkorn visited Europe in 1897. He was the first Siamese monarch to do so as he desired European recognition of Siam as a fully independent power. This was from the aftermath of the French military campaign into Indochina.
In 1893 the Siamese engaged in a battle with French navy vessels at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River near Bangkok. Though being able to attack the vessels, King Chulalongkorn realized the nation could not withstand an all-out war with France. Hence, ceded the territories of present-day Laos and Cambodia to the French.
In the south, Siam ceded the Malay sultanate states of Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan, and Terengganu to the British. These states today form part of Malaysia. These were necessary sacrifices that ere force upon the country, but helped maintain the nation’s independence at the weight of Western military might and colonial expansion.
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 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’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 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, inciting 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 integral cultural forms.
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 literary works.