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On 23 October, Thailand commemorates the life of King Chulalongkorn on the anniversary of his 1910 passing. King Chulalongkorn, Rama V, born 20th September 1853, was not only largely responsible for modernizing Siam and avoiding colonialism, but also for unifying the Kingdom. His link to the people of Chiangmai was Jao Dara Rasamee, a favoured Royal Consort who hailed from the Northern Province.

When Prince Chulalongkorn acceded to the throne in 1868, he was just 15 years old. Siam's House of Nobles decided that Regency must be formed; "a Regency that would govern Siam until the King reached his 20th year", then sent him abroad to learn more about the world. King Chulalongkorn visited neighbouring states in Southeast Asia, and later, British-ruled India. Several months before officially taking the throne, young King Chulalongkorn was ordered as a monk, leaving the monastery just days before his Royal Inauguration on16 October 1873.

He certainly has his work cut out for him. During the 19th century, the Kingdom of Siam was merely a loose conglomeration of many "Muang" held by "Jao Muang" ("Muang" means a leading city surrounded by its smaller cities and "Jao Muang" (means

appointed or self-appointed rulers). Banditry and piracy were widespread, as there was little in the way of a police force or established judiciary. Tax collectors were little more than thieves, and organised transportation, health services and public

education were at best poor and at worst lacking.

One strategy for winning loyalty from some 20 autonomous muangs was through royal marriages. Many rulers considered it a great honour to have their daughters accepted as wives or concubines for the King. Procreation on a large scale was expected of a Siamese King, but like everything else Rama V accomplished, this strategy was only part of a larger plan. He ultimately sired 77 children (44 girls, 33 boys). The boys would be educated, well travelled and loyal to the King's vision, and would make perfect choices for key posts across the land.

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Sometimes referred to as the "Modernizing Monarch," King Chulalongkorn played a major part in staving off western colonization while simultaneously adopting more positive aspects of western society. This helped to keep Siam out of the hands of England, France and Holland, and move it quickly out of the state of feudalism. Appreciative of certain western principles, Rama V liberated his subject from serfdom by establishing a government based on a council of 12 ministers. He diminished the power of Muang rulers by creating a system of smaller administrative units right down to the village level, and frequently dispatched trusted representatives to the provinces for updates. This system ultimately paved the way for the present democracy. In addition to a more democratic rule, the King installed health and education capitalist practices.

In foreign matters, King Chulalongkorn travelled to Europe and cultivated diplomatic and friendly relation with European countries. He quickly learned that European attitudes towards Asia were not as friendly as they seemed on the surface. Knowing what was happening to the people of his colonised neighbours, and remembering the trip to India of his youth, the King, like his father before him, continued to resist offers from the British East India Company to build a railroad in Siam. Instead, he skilfully negotiated with several railroad technology expects across a variety of European countries and invited them to Siam to argue over

the best way to build. Eventually, a railroad was built with a combination of resources, giving no single power, nor type of collective power, to contributing countries.

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The Thai people are especially fond of King Chulalongkorn. The preservation of Thailand's sovereignty and independence, in contrast to other Southeast Asian countries, was a direct result of his efforts. His diplomacy abroad and ability to form a central government at home endeared him to the people. Through his vision and leadership, a small traditional Kingdom was transformed into a modern nation at the heart of Asian affairs.

Princess Dara Rassamee was formally betrothed to King Chulalongkorn when she was 11 years old. At 13, she travelled by boat with her father to Bangkok,

where she received the great honour of having her topknot ceremoniously shaved by the future father-in-law, former King Mongkut himself. She was then officially presented to King Chulalongkorn in royal matrimony with the duty as overseer of internal palace affairs. Princess Dara Rassamee's marriage to King Rama V was one of the most significant of his strategic of his strategic unions. As the daughter of a Chiangmai king, her marriage marked an important bond between the "two

oldest" Thai kingdoms in Southeast Asia.

The Lanna Kingdom (present day northern Thailand) was actually older than the original Siamese Kingdoms at Sukhothai and Ayuthaya. Its Mengrai Dynasty

lasted from 1258 to 1558 until the arrival of Burmese invaders. But the region remained Siam's most strategic of all Thai areas during these wars with Burma

that raged for 200 years prior to the 19th century. Despite the Burmese stronghold on the north, a new Lanna King took the throne in Chiangmai from 1732 to 1771.

King Tipchang was finally in a position to make loyal appointment to various prefectures throughout the Lanna region, including the placement of his son Prince Kaew as the ruler of Lampang. After Siam's King Taaksin marched an army from Thonburi to help Chiangmai from Burma, he appointed General Phya Ja Baan to rule Lanna based at Chiangmai, and Prince Kaew's son Gawila took over at Lampang (But later, Phya Ja Baan had a falling out with King Taaksin, and the following Siamese King installed Gawila as King of Lanna). During this time, King Taaksin was making his own attempts to unify Siam. A trusted general and younger brother of Phya Chakri (a war hero and good friend of King Taaksin, who would later become Rama I, the first king of Thailand's present Chakri Dynasty), married King Gawila's younger sister, Princess Sri Anocha.

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This man, Phya Surasi, in effect became the first Royal Siamese related to the Tipchanf Dynasty, and an important loyal bond was formed in which the Lanna Kingdom respected its position as part of the Kingdom of Siam. Dara Rassamee's father, King Inta Wichayanon, was the 7th king of this Tipchang Dynasty, and in 1893, nine years after her official instalment in Bangkok, Chiangmai was formally annexed into the Kingdom of Siam.

During the 1880's, Jao Dara Rasamee became a highly respected royal consort and cultural representative of the Lanna Kingdom. Unlike the other women, who wore their hair short according to the Central Thai style, Princess Dara

Rassamee wore her hair long and dressed in traditional northern clothing such as a pasin (long skirt similar to a sarong) or a jonggrabane (wrap-around pants). It was even rumoured that at one time, England's Queen Victoria wanted to adopt Princess Dara as a daughter. Princess Dara Rassamee bore the King one child on 2 October 1889, a daughter who died tragically at the age of three. But she continued to live at the palace and

engaged in the internal affairs of the Siam Royal Family. She brought the palace children together through organised music, dance and other performing arts lessons and activities. Despite her active role at the palace, she was homesick, but remained loyal. At one tie she became very ill, and was sent to recover at the Ang Sila beach resort in Chonburi. The King and other leading members of the Chakri Dynasty eventually granted her the title "Great Consort," for her "faithful and correct behaviour toward the King, members of the Royal Family, and government officials". When Princess Dara Rassamee's father died in 1909, she asked the King's permission to visit Chiangmai. During this 55 day trip by boat, she also visited family members and memorial sites to her ancestors in various Lanna cities. Upon her return to Bangkok, the Royal Family granted her new living quarters. Only ten months later, King Chulalongkorn passed away, but she remained at Dusit Palace after the crowning of King Vajiravudh (King Rama VI) for another five years. In 1915 her brother, King Kaew Nawarat, went to Bangkok on official business and asked for permission for her to return to Chiangmai. By this time, almost 30 years since her first arrival in Bangkok by boat, Princess Dara Rassamee travelled back to Chiangmai via the new railroad. She took up residence at Tha Chedi-Geaw (which now serves as the present day office of the American Consul General), where she spent her days performing charitable works on behalf of the poor and infirm. She also helped to revive traditional performing arts in the north, and erected a monument of honour for the remains of past rulers and members of Chiangmai's two royal dynasties at Wat Suan Dork. In special tribute to her father, she had his ashes enshrined at the peak of Doi Angga and the mountain is now known as Doi Inthanon in his memory. Her other residences were the Rinkeaw Mansion (located near Gad Suan Kaew mall), teak mansion on Doi Suthep (which has since been removed) and the Dara Pirom Palace, where she passed away in 1933. The Dara Pirom Palace has been resorted by Chulalongkorn University and is now a museum devoted to her life and features her personal items.

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Imagine, if you will, that you have inherited a large house with spacious gardens. You are a diligent, well-educated person and you know that a lot of house repairs have to be made and a host of weeds removed from the garden. It will take time to put everything in order but, without being asked, foreign neighbours have suggested they help. You are wary of such assistance since you know that the neighbours, although outwardly friendly, are the bullying types and are really looking for a chance to seize part of your large garden. Such was the delicate predicament facing King Chulalongkorn of Siam although instead of a large house and garden being a stake, it was the territory of his Kingdom and its independence which was at risk. Since acceding to the Siamese throne in 1868, King Rama V set about a program of reform and modernisation for his nation but progress had to be "slow and steady" in order not to alienate his Nobility, Government and people. Bonded slavery was abolished. Government taxation revenues streamlined and centralised, medical services and hospitals created as were police and postal

services. Railways and roadways were also on the Monarch's agenda. Upgrading an agricultural country, basically without a communication infrastructure and steeped in heartfelt cultural traditions was a mammoth undertaking especially as the King did not wish to lose any of the Siamese culture in the process of modernisation. Foreign experts were engaged to assist in various fields and generally, these were good men with a sincere desire to assist King Chulalongkorn in the development of Siam but the hidden agenda of their governments was, perhaps, another matter. The "neighbours" were France to the East (French Indo-China Colonies) and Britain to the West and South (Burma & Malaya Colonies). Britain was nibbling at Siam's southern territories but France was taking great bites of territory on the left bank of the Maekhong River (present day Laos & Cambodia). During the course of King Chulalongkorn's reign, Siam had to "give"

some 294,000 square kilometres of territory to France while a further 52,000 square kilometres went to Britain.

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King Chulalongkorn's learned education and fluency in English allowed him to communicate easily with visiting diplomats so they were usually welcome guests as were other visiting Royalty. An important visitor to Siam was the Tsarevitch Nicholas who thoroughly enjoyed his visit while staying at the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace north of Bangkok. An easy, genuine friendship sprang up between the visiting Tsarevitch

and King Chulalongkorn. It was especially appreciated as Russia had no territorial eyes on Siam. Another visitors, in 1881 (the same year as telephone services began in Siam), was His Majesty King Kalakaua of Hawaii. Again the two Monarchs got on famously but, sadly, King Kalakaua was to be the last king of Hawaii as his island Kingdom was later seized and annexed by the United States. Territorial loss was an ever-present worry for the Siamese King as he could see the Great Powers were insatiable in extending their "spheres of influence". King Chulalongkorn regarded the situation as so potentially serious that, in 1897, he embarked on a visit of European countries. He hoped to establish "balancing" friendships and create bonds with as many European nations as possible. Likewise to learn of latest developments, which could be incorporated into Siamese progress. And to arrange for Siamese students to study in European countries. Also King Chulalongkorn had at least one genuine

friend in Europe his visitor to the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace had now become Tsar Nicholas II, Emperor of all Russia. So began an arduous, nine month, overseas journey much of its success being credited to Tsar Nicholas II and the inherent "likeability" of King Chulalongkorn. The Tsar had spoken highly of the Siamese King to Austrian Emperor Franz- Josef who had, in turn, spoken to Germany's Kaiser Wilhelm II. The road for successful visits was, accordingly, paved as was, most importantly, King Chulalongkorn being accepted as a "Royal equal". The Royal European Progress began in Italy on May 14, 1897 and, after meeting with the Italian King and His Holiness the Pope, King Chulalongkorn moved on to Switzerland, Austrian and Hungary before catching up with his friend Tsar Nicholas II at the Peterhof. Throughout his journey, European Crowned Heads and Presidents of Republics welcomed the Siamese King royally, graciously and warmly. Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Portugal were all captivated by the slightly built Siamese Monarch. The Prince of Wales officially welcomed King Chulalongkorn for his five week visit to Great Britain during which he toured extensively and called on Her Majesty Queen Victoria at her Isle of Wight residence (the elderly Queen was preparing for her Diamond Jubilee). Another call was to visit his son who was being educated at Harrow a noted English "public" school.

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As it happened, such were the strains between Siam and the French Republic, France had not been included in the Royal itinerary. However, having heard of the magnificent receptions according to King Chulalongkorn by other European Heads of State, President Faure of Future sent his presidential train to Brussels (where King Chulalongkorn had been visiting King Leopold II) to invite and embark the Siamese King. The reception in France on 11 September 1897 was magnificently regal and wherever he went King Chulalongkorn was cheered by the French people Versailles, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and, indeed, long champs horses races were all graced by visits from King Rama V. The ordinary people of France were Heart-warmed by King Chulalongkorn (and by his gifts to the poor of Paris) but the Government of France never returned the Siamese territory it had

taken. But, thanks to these eminently successful State Visits, France could not risk censure and the embarrassment of further bullying tactics. Siamese territorial losses were stemmed! After visiting fourteen European counties and making many important connections, His Majesty King Chulalongkorn, Rama V returned to Siam in the later part of 1897. Success had been heaped upon success and, in a speech to his Nobles, Government and people; the Siamese King declared "I am determined to do everything in my power to make Siam a free and progressive country". And he did!

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To be a Royal, especially nowadays, can sometimes be overbearingly irksome. Having constantly to be "on parade", living in a "goldfish bowl" of constant exposure and smiling even when one feels least like smiling. Despite the many perceived privileges, it must sometimes be a difficult, wearisome task, which few would envy. Tradition, culture and protocol to accept his or her position and not to flinch when adversity

faces them "train a Royal". It is a mantle of service to their country which, usually, is worn for life. Media interest and attention was not so intense during the reign of King Chulalongkorn but, as an Absolute Monarch, he was constantly to the fore in the governance of Siam. His own subjects, Members of Government, Nobility, Overseas Representatives and visiting dignitaries' constantly sought him out for guidance, decision making and leadership. In modern parlance, King Chulalongkorn was both "Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Office of his Kingdom of Siam". But he was also human, and humane, and it gave

Rama V great pleasure to participate in the "ordinary" aspects of life. It was normal within Siamese culture to take more than one wife and King Chulalongkorn was no exception. His Supreme wife was Queen Saowabha but it is understood that he had 91 wives of whom thirty-six were officially recorded -- they being the birth mothers of the King's 77 children (44 daughters, 32 sons and an unfortunate miscarriage). Rama V was a devoted father but not to the point of spoiling any of his children, his sons earned his special interest as great things were expected of them in the future. Indeed, all the King's sons were sent abroad to finish their academic education. Most went to Great Britain but others went to Denmark, Russia and Germany. Each and every sons, when studying overseas, received regular letters from the King's "own hand". It is the heartbreak of any parent to lose a child or children; King Chulalongkorn suffered this latter tragedy with overwhelming grief. Queen Sunanda (full sister of Supreme Queen Saowabha) was travelling, with her royal children, by barge up the Chao Phraya River from Bangkok to the Bang-Pa-In Summer Palace. Entirely by accident. The barge capsized and the Royal Family were thrown into the water. Rescue was delayed until too late as horrified watchers were fearful of laying hands on the Royal Personages. All were drowned. King Chulalongkorn afterwards instructed a memorial to his Queen Sunanda and children be raised in the ornate gardens of Bang-Pa-In summer Palace. It is still there and may be seen by anyone visiting the palace.

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One of King Chulalongkorn's escapes was into the world of cookery and picnicking. The King enjoyed tasty food Thai, Chinese and European and it gave him great pleasure to personally cook for friends gathered together for a picnic. Indeed, the King gained so much relaxation from "kitchen experiences" he authored a book of recipes. Featuring over 200 dishes including those for meat, poultry, pork, seafood, salads and sandwiches. A well-known picnic photograph shows King Chulalongkorn, clad only in a Thai sarong (pha khaw maa) hunched over a cooking fire as he personally prepares as al fresco meal. The photograph was possibly taken at the Bang-Pa-In Summer Palace. Another of the King's relaxations was to travel around his kingdom without the trapping of Monarchy. The King would travel either by horse carriage or by small boat when boat when exploring coastal villages, accompanied by some of his children and close friends. It is interesting that King Chulalongkorn's illustrious father, King Mongkut, got to know his people during 27 years traversing Siam as a monk -- "now the present king was doing the same by travelling as an ordinary person" and meeting the people. King Chulalongkorn, as an "ordinary guy", dropped in on villages, attended their feast days or weddings or simply sat around exchanging the news and gossip of the day. Parents like to see their offspring do well and King Chulalongkorn was no exception. However, again like every other, he had no guarantee that any of his children would do exactly as he wanted. Such was the case with one of the King's sons, Prince Chakrabongse (who was 2nd in line to the Throne). Since Tsar Nicholas II of Russia was a great, personal friend of King Chulalongkorn, it was not surprising that one of the King's sons was invited to study in Russia. Prince Chakrabongse was chosen to accept this honour. The young Prince was already studying in England, and was fluent in English, so he now transferred to the elite Corps des Pages (a famous military college) in St. Petersburg. To King Chulalongkorn's proud delight, Prince Chakrabongse did exceedingly well; the young man learnt the Russian language, mastered his studies and rose in the ranks of the Corps. It only went wrong, in King Chulalongkorn's eyes, when Prince Chakrabongse fell in love with a young Russian girl, Katerina, "whom he secretly married". This marriage was the despair of both King Chulalongkorn and Queen Saowabha as it was unheard of for "Siamese Royalty to marry outside their own Siamese

circle". Nevertheless, the deed was done and King Chulalongkorn suffered the upset of any normal parent over what they considered a "wilful" child. It wasn't often that King Chulalongkorn was able to relax by escaping the Affairs of State and, by the turn of the century, he'd been the Siamese Monarch for 32 odd years. Such was the workload he gave himself (rarely was anything done without the King's personal involvement) a weariness had begun to set in and, at times, the King was feeling quite unwell. But he continued to push himself so after his hugely successful European nations (he was held in high regard and respect by European Royalty),

however, the 1907 visit had another agenda which was known by only a few. The Siamese King was seeking European medical opinion for his ailment. Siamese physicians had advocated rest and less stress but these were medicines the King declined to take. Some "time out" was taken when King Chulalongkorn reached London when he spent time at Windsor Castle in convivial company of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.

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Unfortunately, medical prognosis was not comforting but the King adopted a "Mai pen rai" (never mind) attitude and returned to Siam to be as busy as ever. However, he did contemplate abdicating on his 60th birthday. To this end, he purchased land in a rural area and built a "homey" wooden residence which he named "Phya Thai" (Lord Thai). The idea was that King Chulalongkorn and Queen Saowabha would retire to "Phya Thai" as country "gentlefolk and farmers". The King had remarked "I will not for all my life remain a King, but I want to be the King's father". However, the King's dream never came to fruition as the demands of public life continued unabated. Being an Absolute Monarch was one thing but the additions of responsibility plus genuine caring and benevolence made it a heavy burden. In 1908, after being on the Siamese Throne for 40 years, King Chulalongkorn was surprised, touched and gratified when his Nobility, Government and people requested permission to honour him with a statue. He accepted an equestrian statue and "ordinary people flocked to donate even a few baht for the sculpting, casting and erecting of the statue". It was a memorial from the hearts of the Siamese people and this had never, ever happened before! It is worth noting that the Statue Fund was massively oversubscribed (the King had desired only a modest statue) and, at King Chulalongkorn's wish, surplus money was gifted to the Civil Service College -- Which, later, was renamed as Chulalongkorn University. As was later revealed, King Chulalongkorn was suffering from a severe kidney complaint -- and he had not heeded medical advice to ease up on his workload. By 1910 the condition had worsened to an alarming degree, On the 16th October of that year King Chulalongkorn slipped into a coma from which he never recovered. He died, shortly after midnight, on the 23rd October 1910. Queen Saowabha was inconsolable at her husband's death -- and remained do for the rest of her life. The King's passing devastated the Royal Family, Government and the entire nation. Most of the populace had never known Siam without King Chulalongkorn at the helm. The people's beloved Monarch had been on the Siamese Throne for 42 years and the nation was so shocked it couldn't contemplate Siam without him. They Royal Court was in turmoil as documents pertaining to State Protocol for mourning and funeral ceremonials had not seen the light of day since the death of King Mongkut. However, all was eventually accomplished and the State Funeral of King Chulalongkorn brought "Bangkok and the entire nation of Siam to a standstill" Siamese people, usually very conservative regarding the public display of emotions, wept openly on the streets. Nowadays, on the 23rd October each year, people gather to lay wreaths and flowers at the foot of King Chulalongkorn's statue. This date has been officially declared as "Chulalongkorn Day" (or Piyamaharaj Day) where Thailand commemorates the King's lifetime's achievements that opened the doors to Thailand steering them towards the positive Western influences and the basics of democracy. Because of the accomplishments the Nation continues to honour and pay homage to this unique Siamese Monarch. His Majesty King Chulalongkorn Rama V of Siam, perhaps the "Greatest of the Great". May his spirit rest in peace.

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On 23 October, Thailand commemorates the lifetime achievements of King Chulalongkorn, Rama V, who opened the doors of Thailand to positive Western influences and the basics of democracy. In doing so, he is remembered with great affection and pride by all Thai citizens. King Chulalongkorn acceded to the Siamese Monarchy, in 1868, as a boy of 15 years, however, a Regent was appointed to govern until the Boy-King was 20 years of age and mature enough to reign on his own. The gift of achievements which Rama V eventually bestowed upon the people of Thailand was largely grounded in the education and teachings of his late father King Mongkut (Rama IV). So it is also worth looking at, and honouring, King Mongkut and the knowledge which he passed to his son.

King Mongkut (Rama IV) was a naturally talented, intelligent and inspirational Monarch who had an inquiring mind. He wanted to know about the sciences of the day and about the European Powers which dominated the world-scene. The King cultivated diplomatic and friendly relationships with Great Britain, France and other European nations. He was widely read, a scholar of languages and had a great interest in astronomy. In fact, during 1868, King Mongkut invited many Western dignitaries to view the Solar Eclipse which was best viewed from Thailand. Guests included Colonel Sir Harry Orde (Governor of Singapore) the United States Acting Ambassador and a large party of French and European scientists.

It was in such a background that young King Chulalongkorn grew up and, upon the death of his father; he began to travel and observe the countries around him. Malaya, Singapore, Java, and Bali (presently Indonesia), Burma, India and Indonesia were all visited and the King was able to see firsthand the influence of the controlling, colonial powers. King Chulalongkorn could see and understand the benefits of European technology, government systems and commerce which would greatly assist in developing Thailand. So the king wanted to maintain the closest of links with the colonial powers especially Great Britain but not "so close that Thailand could be swallowed up and becomes another colony". Siamese independence was to be treasured at all costs even if that meant a slower growth of change. It took lot of personal negotiating and diplomatic skills both at home and abroad, but King Chulalongkorn was more than able to meet the challenge.

One of the King's great skills was making haste slowly and striking a guiding balance between opposing interests. Possibly His Majesty's most gratifying achievement, at home, was freeing his subjects from slavery. At the time of his coronation, some 30% of the Thai people were slaves, a situation that the King felt was unjust, but Rama V was aware of the problems inherent in abolishing slavery. He set out to gradually change the system

of ownership and value of the slaves over a period of time until suddenly there were none left much to the surprise of all.

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Of course abolition caused other problems such as the host of newly unemployed people needing work, but the King has been wise enough to anticipate this, and had prepared jobs with state enterprises. Here his wisdom in gradual abolition was apparent, for only a small proportion of the former slaves would get their freedom in any given year. Unfortunately, many of his people were born into serfdom but the King made it his business to introduce legislation which gradually freed his subjects from lives of unpaid servitude. So that such persons would have proper work and income. King Chulalongkorn realised the importance of being close to his people and after travelled by boat to visit and listen to their hardships and grievances. In his retinue were royal physicians and public health in the provinces began to improve as a direct result of these trips. The King also had the chance to see the handcrafts and other products made in various parts of the country, enabling him to decide those which had markets elsewhere in the country or were suitable for export.

King Chulalongkorn introduced many new government schemes, including health programs, which began to raise standards for the ordinary people. The nation had long lacked unity, with some 20 almost autonomous provinces under the

control of powerful local governors interested only in feathering their own nests through tax collection. King Chulalongkorn reduced the power of these self - seeking individuals and brought them into line with his new structures of government through two cunning acts. King Rama V took many of his daughters of these high ranking officials as wives or concubines, thus winning their loyalty through bestowing honour. As they matured they would learn the arts of governing and statesmanship and "guaranteed the King a generation of blood relatives that would hold key posts with total loyalty". The children, grandchildren and great - grandchildren of the King's family are the present day nobility of Thailand instantly recognisable by name or title.

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Another skilful piece of fancy-footwork, on the part of the King, was the introduction and development of the railway network within Thailand. As a hovering colonial power, Great Britain was anxious to secure railway--building contracts and, of course, France was to Thailand's eastern borders in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam (French Indo-China). King Chulalongkorn listened to advice from theses quarters, and agreed to some involvement; however, to maintain the balance (and Thailand's independent choice) railway construction work was largely contracted to German companies (Germany no having any colonial interests in the S.E. Asian area). This was all done without ruffling too many feathers of the colonial powers so goodwill and cordiality was maintained with Queen Victoria in England and, likewise, with the French Republic.

King Chulalongkorn's 42-years reign was a remarkable one. He laid the framework for a democratic government, freed the slaves, created a nobility, developed lasting links with the great powers of the time, preserved Siam's sovereignty, unified the nation and started to build a railway (though that task was left to his successor to complete). He had gained wisdom from his

learned father and passed it on to his children as a great gift. The Thai nation had much to thank King Chulalongkorn for and they display it every year in their display of gratitude to him. They are proud of him for he has given them pride. King Chulalongkorn passed away in 1910 without a doubt, one of Thailand's great achievers and great Kings so, on 23 October, remember the reign of King Chulalongkorn - Rama V and his contributions to the Nation. Knowledge base: Thai Monarchy @ www.wat.austhai.biz/Home/thai-monarchy Best regards Phill Smith (Lucky)

www.thaibis.com/apac

www.etb.thaibis.com

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