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Rama V
King Chulalongkorn the Great or Rama
V (royal name: Phra Chula Chomklao Chaoyuhua (September 20, 1853 –
October 23, 1910) was the fifth king
of the Chakri dynasty of Thailand. He is regarded as one of the
greatest kings of Siam. The Thais call him "The Great Beloved
King".
Chulalongkorn was born September 20, 1853 in Bangkok 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
(“The King And I”).
Chulalongkorn succeeded his father on October 1, 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.
On November 16, 1873, he was crowned for the second time. During
his travels he had learned about many reforms needed to modernize
his country. With the help of the Belgian Gustave Rolin-Jaequemyns
he managed to keep his country independent even though both France
and Britain were colonizing most of Southeast Asia and the former
constantly aggressive towards and antagonistic in its relations to
Siam. He did, however, have to cede some territory to these two
powers, notably claims on parts of what are now Laos, Cambodia and
some northern parts of Malaysia.
Chulalongkorn (Above left) with contemporary monarchs King
Chulalongkorn modernized the government by introducing a cabinet
system, and the semi-feudal provincial administration was changed
into a modern administration with provinces (changwat) and
districts (amphoe) as it still is today. He declared amnesty for
all political prisoners, and also gradually abolished
slavery.
This liberation is often misunderstood but was intended to weaken
the power of the Bunnag, a noble family that strictly controlled
the Chakri dynasty at the time. In addition, the liberation was
intended to weaken regional governors and centralize the
country.
Thailand's first railroad was opened in his reign in 1896 from
Bangkok to Ayutthaya. It was during his reign that the western
calendar replaced the traditional lunar calendar. In 1896 the
British diplomat Alfred Mitchell-Innes took up a three-year
appointment as Financial Advisor to the King, who also introduced
the modern system of banknotes to Siam. Chulalongkorn also declared
religious freedom, allowing Christianity and Islam to be practiced
in the Buddhist country.
It is a common misconception that Chulalongkorn made a 1909 decree
during his reign which forced the large local Chinese population to
effectively assimilate into mainstream Thai society and reduced
racial tensions and violent crime. The decree required all
permanent residents to adopt Thai surnames (see Thai Chinese).
However, in fact the Surname Act was enacted by King Rama VI, his
son, in 1913.
King Chulalongkorn had 4 queen consorts: Queen Saovabha Bhongsi, Queen Savang
Vadhana, Queen Sunandha Kumariratana and Queen Sukumalmarsri.
He had at least 77 children, of which 33 were sons, with the 4
queens and his royal common wives. His second son, Vajiravudh,
succeeded him as Rama VI. The date of his death, October 23, 1910,
is commemorated as a national holiday.
Chulalongkorn University, founded in 1917 as the first university
in Thailand, was named in his honor.
Source: Wikipedia
The cache is hidden in the vicinity
of the Rama V statue. You will not have to climb anywhere, and
being tall is not necessary, as you will have to look
down……
Happy Caching and
Greetings from Austria
hügelwühler
Small note on cache maintenance: There is a local
cache guardian. Name and contact info on file with
geocaching.com.