Info on King Nang Klao (Rama III)

Jessadabodindra or Nangklao (Rama III, March 31, 1788 - April 2, 1851) third of the Chakri dynasty, was king of Siam from 1824 to 1851. The name Nangklao was given to Rama III posthumously by his successor, Mongkut. Rama III was the last traditional monarch of Siam. Though his successors were also traditionalists, they modernized the kingdom to an extent.

Jessabondindra was born in Bangkok on March 31st, 1788. He was the son of King Rama II by a junior wife Chao Chom Reim (Queen Sri Suralaya). At the time of King Rama II’s death, his supposed heir Prince Mongkut had entered monkhood, and so Jessabondindra was chosen as king by the Accession Council. He proved to be a capable ruler, devoting much effort to the founding and upkeep of Buddhist monasteries, especially in Bangkok. His tolerance and open-mindedness also paved the way for the establishment of the first Protestant missionaries, who introduced Western medicine to Thailand, as well as the start of limited trade with Western powers to avert possible foreign invasion. During his reign, trade prospered and territorial advances were made as the vassal states of the north and east came more firmly under the rule of Bangkok.

Although Jessabodindra had over 50 children, he had no queen and thus none of his children were of Chao Fa rank, and so, at the time of his death on April 2 1851, his half-brother Mongkut succeeded him as King.