The “Chulalongkorn Day or “Piya Maharaj Day” is considered as the memorial day for King Chulalongkorn, or King Rama V, which falls on 23 October every year. King Chulalongkorn the Great was one of the most important kings of the Chakri Dynasty. The most prominent contribution he made was slavery abolition as well as numerous national reforms undertaken to modernize the country.
King Chulalongkorn “Phra Chula Chom Klao Chao Yu Hua” succeeded to the throne at the death of his father, King Rama IV “Phra Chom Klao”. He was born on September 20, 1853, the first son of Queen Ramphai Pamarapirom (Thepsirindra) and the 9th surviving son of King Mongkut. King Rama V ascended the Throne in 1868 at the age of 15, with Chao Phraya Sri Suriyawongse as Regent. His death on 23 October 1910 was a great loss to the entire nation as he was one of the most honored and beloved kings, who was praised as “Somdej Phra Piya Maharaj- the Great and Beloved King”.
The King’s reforms have greatly benefited every aspect of Thai life, especially the abolition of slavery, the expansion of the communication system through the construction of railways, the establishment of post, telegraph services and the creation of a ministerial system, which all the current ministries and departments owe their origin of his initiatives. Moreover, the King established a variety of public utilities as well, particularly in the fields of health care and education. At that time, the world did not allow him to proceed smoothly with his administrative reforms as it coincided with the age of colonialism. The King, therefore, had to adapt his foreign policy to maintain a balance and multilateral relations as well as avoid confrontation with the major powers. In the last period of his reign, the nation lost a lot of lands to France. At the time of the crisis, Thailand was eventually able to keep independence even if some of the territories were sacrificed.
King Rama V’s long reign of 42-years was a prosperous era of national reforms and the emergence of Thailand into the modern epoch. He learned the systems of Western Governments and also sent the royal children to receive education in the West. Furthermore, he was the first Thai monarch who traveled frequently to neighboring and other countries around the globe.
During his reign, King Chulalongkorn wished to make His people less subservient. After the coronation in 1873, he proclaimed that prostration in front of the king be abolished. Later, in 1905, the slavery was completely ended. This slave abolition was the most important royal contribution to the nation. The Slave Act was enacted by the King in 1905 to prohibit slave trade. Apart from slavery abolition, all of his numerous contributions and reforms for the prosperity and sustainable development for the nation were too numerous to mention.
Up until now, Thai people believe in the King’s miraculous power of bringing good luck and prosperity to the persons who pays respect to him. Thus, the King’s pictures are normally seen in almost every house across the nation. People from all walks of life generally pay tribute to the Great King and lay wreaths at the Equestrian Statue, which is located at the Royal Plaza in the Capital City of Bangkok.
Source: Thai Public Relations Department
Pictures: Richard Barrow
