Info on King Chulalongkorn (Rama V)

King Chulalongkorn was the fifth king of the Chakri dynasty of Thailand. He is regarded as one of the greatest kings of Siam, as he is also called by Thais as "The Great Beloved King". His long reign of 42 years was at that time the longest reign for a Thai monarch, until his grandson King Bhumibol broke that record on July 1988.

Chulalongkorn was born in Bangkok on 20th September 1853 as the oldest son of King Mongkut (Rama IV) and Queen Debsirinda. His father gave him a broad education, including instruction from European tutors such as Anna Leonowens. Chulalongkorn succeeded his father on 1st October 1868, but the chief minister Chao Praya Si Suriyawongse served as regent for four years, as Chulalongkorn was still too young to rule. During this time he traveled to neighbouring western colonies including Singapore, Java and India, to study western politics, administration, lifestyle and colonialism. Later during his reign he also visited Europe twice, in 1897 and 1907, which makes him the first Thai king to visit Europe.

King Chulalongkorn was responsible for a broad range of reforms that transformed almost every aspect of life. He abolished slavery, expended the country’s communications system and reorganized provincial administration through skilled personal diplomacy. Like his father King Mongkut, Chulalongkorn made a point of travelling extensively within his own country, often incognito, to get to know ordinary people and understand them better. Not only was he the first Thai king to travel aboard (he made several visits to the Straits Settlements, the Malay States and the Dutch East Indies), he also sent his sons to study in different parts of Europe.

He successfully managed to cultivate the idea of Siam as a buffer state between the colonial possessions of the European powers in South-east Asia. The price he paid for losing certain border territories was amply rewarded, for Siam was never colonized- the only country in the region to maintain its sovereignty throughout the period of colonial expansionism.

Much beloved by his people, Chulalongkorn died on 23rd October 1910, and he was succeeded by his second son Vajiravudh. The date of his death is commemorated as a national holiday, known as King Chulalonrkorn Day. Chulalongkorn University, founded in 1917 as the first university in Thailand, was named in his honour.