Thailand History Guide » King Rama V http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com Mon, 14 Sep 2009 06:14:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 en hourly 1 CONTEMPORARY HISTORY OF THAILAND http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/contemporary-history-of-thailand/ http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/contemporary-history-of-thailand/#comments Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:32:41 +0000 thailandhistoryguide http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/?p=816 In 1910, at the time of King Rama V’s death, Thailand had become a modern nation recognized by the Western world, its boundaries apparently more or less secure. The following 80 years, however, were to be turbulent and marked by momentous events both inside the country and beyond.

Related PostsA unique Monarchy : King Bhumibol Adulyadej [...]]]> In 1910, at the time of King Rama V’s death, Thailand had become a modern nation recognized by the Western world, its boundaries apparently more or less secure. The following 80 years, however, were to be turbulent and marked by momentous events both inside the country and beyond.

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]]> http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/contemporary-history-of-thailand/feed/ 0 The 19th Century of Lanna Kingdom http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/the-19th-century-of-lanna-kingdom/ http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/the-19th-century-of-lanna-kingdom/#comments Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:41:31 +0000 thailandhistoryguide http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/?p=813 Independent but impoverished, 19th-century Lanna was governed by the family of Kawila, nominally a vassal of Thailand, but in fact autonomous. Not until 1874 was a Thai High Commissioner sent to administer the north and during the reign of King Rama V the region was slowly incorporated into the Thai kingdom. Laos, east of the [...]]]> Independent but impoverished, 19th-century Lanna was governed by the family of Kawila, nominally a vassal of Thailand, but in fact autonomous. Not until 1874 was a Thai High Commissioner sent to administer the north and during the reign of King Rama V the region was slowly incorporated into the Thai kingdom. Laos, east of the Mekong, annexed by King Rama I during the Burmese War, was ceded to France in 1893, following a show of force by gunboats.

Chao Kaew Nawarat, last king of Chiang Mai

Chao Kaew Nawarat, last king of Chiang Mai

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]]> http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/the-19th-century-of-lanna-kingdom/feed/ 0 Chakri Dynasty http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/chakri-dynasty/ http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/chakri-dynasty/#comments Sun, 28 Sep 2008 15:53:59 +0000 thailandhistoryguide http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/?p=790 In March 1782 a revolt broke out against King Taksin, who was thought to have become insane.  He was replaced by a prominent military commander who, as King Rama I, founded the Chakri Dynasty and, for strategic reasons, moved the seat of government across the Chao Phraya River to a small trading port known as [...]]]> In March 1782 a revolt broke out against King Taksin, who was thought to have become insane.  He was replaced by a prominent military commander who, as King Rama I, founded the Chakri Dynasty and, for strategic reasons, moved the seat of government across the Chao Phraya River to a small trading port known as Bangkok.  King Rama IV, or King Mongkut, is best known as the hero of The King and I. 

King Mongkut

King Mongkut

To the Thais, however, he is remembered as on of the most far-sighted Chakri rulers, who negotiated important treaties with European powers, introduced modern sciences, and set his kingdom on the part to reforms that undoubtedly helped save it from the colonial fate that befell all its immediate negighbors.  During his reign from 1868 to 1910, King Rama V, or King Chulalongkorn as he is better know, carried his father’s reforms further.  He abolished slavery, reorganized the governmental system, and built the first railways. 

RAMA V Surrounded by his family, this portrait was painted by the Italian artist Gelli.

RAMA V Surrounded by his family, this portrait was painted by the Italian artist Gelli.

The first Thai king to visit European capitals, Rama V also sent most of his sons abroad for futher education Foreced by France to concede some of his territory to Cambodia, Rama V also had to relinquish sovereignty over Laos.  Thus he was able to preserve his country’s independence.

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