KING RAMA V -THAILAND.

One of the most revered King’s in Thai history is King Rama V and it is important for westerners to know how beloved He is to the Thai people and why. Thai people believe in the King’s miraculous power of bringing good luck and prosperity to the person who pays respect to him so you will see His picture hanging in almost every house and shop here.Born on September 20th 1853, King Chulalongkorn Rama V succeeded to the throne at the death of his father, King Mongkut Rama 1V in 1868 at the age of 15. His father had made sure to help prepare King Rama V of then Siam for the modern world by hiring Mrs. Anna Leonowens to tutor the young Prince in English, history, mathematics, science and geography. So the young Prince could practice his English American missionaries were allowed to tutor other children in the Grand Palace.Rama V is best known to westerners as Thailand’s first modern King. He saved the Kingdom of Siam from foreign control by bringing Thailand into the modem age, well ahead of many other Asian countries. While Thailand’s neighboring countries were colonized by the expansionistic French and British eagerly spanning their empires into the Far East King Rama V was able to keep Thailand from being imperialized because he was viewed as a modern king and as civilized. During this era imperial countries like France and Britain did not invade the territory or countries of other civilized Kings out of mutual respect. Rama V was the first Thai King who traveled to neighboring countries in Asia and to Europe.No Thai King had ever left the country before except once, long ago, when King Ramkamhaeng went to China. He made friends with all major powers such as Britain,France, America and Russia and sent the Royal children to be educated at Eaton in England. In the King’s travels He learned to advance Thailand into the modern era of civilization, while preserving precious Thai cultural heritage. He fostered friendly international relationships and avoided confrontation. However, in the last few years of his reign, Thailand lost some land in two regions to France, (later returned after WWII) but was still able to keep Thai independence. Rama V saved Thailand for Thai people.The King’s reforms involved almost every aspect of Thai life. King Rama V wanted to make the people less subservient so in 1873 when he was just 20 years old he proclaimed the abolishment of prostration (laying down) in front of the King. Among His major achievements include the abolition of slavery in 1905, only 40 years after the Emancipation Proclamation in America, and bringing Thailand into the modern era by constructing nationwide railways, establishing postal delivery and telegraphic service. He also created a ministerial system in 1892 which allowed the people to be more involved in government and decision-making. He died on October 23rd 1910.