April 6 marks the anniversary
of the founding of the present Chakri Dynasty of which the present ruling
monarch, King Bhumibol the Great, is the ninth king.
The Chakri Dynasty was founded by Phra Buddha
Yodfa Chulaloke, or Rama I, who was born on March 20, 1737 with the name
of Thong Duang and came to the throne on April 6, 1782. He ruled the country
for 28 years.
During his reign he consolidated the kingdom
in such a way that here was no further fear of invasion from enemies.
King Rama I have been praised as an accomplished statesman, a lawmaker,
a poet and a devout Buddhist. Thus, his reign has been called a "reconstruction"
of the Thai State and Thai culture. He was the monarch who established
Bangkok as the capital of Thailand, and this is the most long-lasting
creation, which gains popularity as the "City of Angels". King Rama I
passed away on September 7, 1809 at the age of 72.
King Rama I's son, Phra Buddha Loetla Naphalai,
or Rama II, then acceded to the throne. It was during his reign that a
renaissance of Thai arts and culture came about, especially in literature.
The King himself was a man gifted with artistic talent. Phra Nang Klao
came next. He fortified the country with a strong defense force and commissioned
many buildings. It was during his reign that Thai arts reached the highest
peak since Ayutthaya period. It is said that the reigns of King Rama II
and III constituted a Golden Age of Literature and Arts, similar to King
Narai's in Ayutthaya. King Rama III or Phra Nang klao was succeeded by
King Mongkut (Rama IV) who was a bold religious leader. He started the
commercial contacts with foreign countries and was responsible for the
introduction of western science and modernization into Thailand. Then
came King.
During his reign of 42 years, many changes
and reforms were made in Thailand. Slavery was abolished, modern system
of administration was introduced, efficient law courts were established,
education was systematically spread, and he financial system was revised.
King Vajiravudh, who succeeded King Chulalongkorn,
further consolidated and developed what had been accomplished in the previous
40 years. He contributed much to the national language and literature
so much so that he was sometimes called the poet who was a king. The outstanding
achievement of his reign is perhaps a number of new treaties concluded
between Thailand and other powers as it helped enhancing the prestige
of Thailand. The King also introduced the use of tricolor flag to replace
the old red flag with the white elephant.
King Vajiravudh passed away on November
26, 1925 and was succeeded by his younger brother King Prachadhipok, the
seventh king of Chakri Dynasty who reigned as the last absolute monarch.
On June 24, 1932 a revolution took place and His Majesty accepted the
proposal of a constitutional regime. On March 2, 1934 the King abdicated
and later died in exile, leaving the throne to his nephew, King Ananda
Mahidol, who after 11 years rule met a sudden death leaving the throne
to his younger brother, King Bhumibol Aulyadej, the present monarch. On
Chakri Day, His Majesty King Bhumibol accompanied by members of royal
family presides over a religious ceremony performed to give merit to the
deceased rulers at the Royal Chapel, then pays respects to His Majesty's
Predecessors at the Royal Pantheon and lays a wreath at the statue of
King Rama I at the Memorial Bridge. On this occasion, the Prime Minister,
Ministers, high ranking officers, students, public and private organizations
and people from all walks of life take part in a wreath-laying ceremony
and make merit for the great kings who dedicated the best part of their
lives for the betterment of their subjects.
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