Vajiravudh
Encyclopedia
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramentharamaha Vajiravudh Phra Mongkut Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Phra Bat Somdet Phra Ramathibodi Si Sintharamaha Vajiravudh Phra Mongkut Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama VI (1 January 1881 – 25 November 1925) was the sixth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri, ruling from 1910 until his death. King Vajiravudh is known for his efforts to create and promote Siamese nationalism
. His reign was characterized by Siam's movement further towards democracy and minimal participation in World War I
.
and one of his four queens, Saovabha
. In 1888, upon coming of age, Vajiravudh received the title Krom Khun Thep Dvaravati. He was firstly educated in the Royal Palace in Siamese and English language. He continued his education in Britain, at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
in 1891 and became part of Durham Light Infantry Regiment upon graduation. In 1894, his half-brother Crown Prince Vajirunhis
died. Vajiravudh was then appointed the new Crown Prince of Siam
. He studied in law and history at Christ Church, Oxford
in 1899. However, he suffered the appendicitis
that barred him from personally receiving the graduation in 1901.
Crown Prince Vajiravudh returned to Siam in 1902 and became a monk in 1904 temporarily according to Siamese traditions. In 1906, his father Chulalongkorn traveled to Europe to seek treatment for his lung disease. Chulalongkorn made Vajiravudh the Regent of Siam. Crown Prince Vajiravudh's accomplishment during his regency was his supervision of the construction of Chulalongkorn Equesterian Statue.
Chulalongkorn died on 23 October 1910. Vajuravudh succeeded his father as the king of Siam.
as the first Siamese general.
His first act following his ascension to the throne was to build the Royal Pages College which was subsequently renamed Vajiravudh College
by King Rama VII to honour his brother. It was built as an all boy boarding school in the same tradition as English public schools such as Eton and Harrow. The school was built instead of a royal monastery - a custom of Thai kings, as King Vajiravudh deemed that there were already too many temples in Bangkok. In his own hand written letter, King Vajiravudh wrote that "In the Royal Pages College, what I want is not so much to turn out model boys, all of the same standard, all brilliant scholars with thousands of marks each, as to turn out efficient young men - young men who will be physically and morally clean, and who will be looking forward keenly to take up whatever burden the future may lay upon them". Later he also raised the Civil Servant School to Chulalongkorn Academy for Civil Officials – then Chulalongkorn University
. Both Vajiravudh College and Chulalongkorn University still benefit from the personal funds that King Vajiravudh set aside for educational use at the two elite institution up till today. He also improved Siamese healthcare systems and set up some of the earliest public hospitals in Siam; Vajira Hospital
and Chulalongkorn Hospital in 1912 and 1914 respectively.
In 1911, he established the Boy Scouts in Siam (with an adult arm disbanded in the latter part of his reign called the Wild Tiger Corps
.) On 11 November 1911, Vajiravudh's coronation was held with royalties from Europe and Japan as guests – for the first time in Siam to host international parties. In December, the first airplane was flown in Siam.
Early years of Vajiravudh's administration was largely dominated by his two uncles - Prince Damrong and Prince Devawongse - both of them Chulalongkorn's right hand men. However, he disagreed with Prince Damrong, the Minister of Interior over Prince Damrong's negotiation of Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909
that ceded four sultanates to the British Empire.
Vajiravudh also reformed his father's monthon
system by imposing the paks or regions over the administrative monthons. Each pak was governed by an Uparaja
(viceroy
} directly in command of the king. The Uparaja presided over the intendants of monthons in the region - thus grabbing local administrative powers in his hands - much to the dismay of Prince Damrong.
The radicals sternly expected that constitution upon the coronation of Vajiravudh. However, no constitution came. In 1911, the Wuchang Uprising
that led to the fall of Qing dynasty
was a strong urge for Siamese radicals to act. So, for the first time, an attempt to overthrow the monarchy and establish the democracy happened in Siam.
The immediate cause, however, was laid even before Vajiravudh’s coronation. In 1909, Crown Prince Vajiravudh had ordered a Thai Royal Military Academy
’s student who had had an argument with one of Vajiravudh’s pages to be canned. The alumni of the Academy, who had already been stationed throughout the kingdom, was provoked further by Vajiravudh’s establishment of the Wild Tiger Corps
, which was seen as Vajiravudh’s personal troops to replace the military.
The plotters were, however, relatively young army and navy officials, who was also the students in the 1909 event. The coup was planned to be staged on 1 April – Siamese traditional New Year Day. They also planned to choose one of Vajiravudh’s brothers as the first President of Siam. They also viewed that, if the absolute monarchy had been removed, Siam would achieve modernization like those of Japan. The coup leaders accused the King of devoting his time to writing plays and acting in them with his companions. They also accused him of living a luxurious life in western style; building Sanam Chan Palace
and Lumphini Park
, and owning expensive horses from Australia, while preaching to his subjects to be austere and nationalistic.
However, the coup plan was leaked. Captain Yut Kongyu, who was selected as the assassin by lottery
, told Mom Chao Prawatpan – and then Prince Chakrabongse - about the upcoming coup. Prince Chakrabongse personally led the arrest of all conspirators and their punishments were severe – including executions to long-term imprisonment. However, Vajiravudh halted the punishment and released them all saying that what they did was for the sake of the kingdom.
In 1912, Vajiravudh announced the change of calendar usage from Rattanakosin Era designated by Chulalongkorn to the Buddhist Era which is still in use today. In 1913, Siam faced financial crisis as the Chinese-Siamese Bank went bankrupt.
In 1914, the construction of Don Mueang Airport, the first Siamese airport, began. In the same year the Siamese government decided to take a loan from the Federated Malay States
to extend the railways to the south. In 1915, Vajiravudh himself visited the southern provinces to oversee the railway constructions. The Bangkok railway station at Hua Lamphong
was then established as a center of Siamese railroads. Prince Damrong eventually left the Ministry of Interior in 1915. In 1916, Vajiravudh appointed his half-brother Prince of Kampangpetch as the Head of Railway Department.
In 1917, Vajiravudh established the Nakorn Sri Thammarat regiment as his handful forces. In the same year Vajiravudh officially founded the Chulalongkorn University - the first university in Siam named in honor of his father. In 1918, Vajiravudh founded the Dusit Thani
near his Dusit Palace as an experimental place for democracy. The democratic institutions were imitated including elections, parliament, and the press. Vajiravudh himself acted as one of the citizens of Dusit Thani yet the city was perceived as another Vajiravudh's acting theatre.
In July 1917, Vajiravudh sided himself with the Allied Powers and expelled the German and Austrian officials from the Railway Department and Siam Commercial Bank. He also put the properties of the Central Powers
nations under government's protectorate. Vajiravudh then saw this as an opportunity to create and promote Siamese nationalism, against the so-called enemies - the Central Powers. He changed the Flag of Siam
from the elephant-banner to a tricolor one. King Vajiravudh is considered as the father of Thai nationalism, which was later built upon by Field Marshal Phibunsongkhram and Sarit Dhanarajata
. He introduced the practice of using the name Rama
for the Chakri kings in deference to foreign practice.
The Siamese troops were the only Southeast Asians in the European theatre (except for 140,000 Vietnam
ese troops and workers drafted by the French
). They did not see much action though, as the Siamese troops arrived in Europe towards the end of the War. In any case, the participation in the War allowed Siam to later negotiate with the Western Powers on 'unfair' treaties made before.
In 1917, price of silver rose and exceeded the face value of the (silver) coin. The coins were then melted down and sold out of Siam by individuals. The government solved this by changing the pure silver coin to alloy. Vajiravudh eventually forbade exports of Siamese coins. In 1918, the usage of 1-baht coins was nullified and the 1-baht banknotes were introduced. The coins were recalled and kept as national reserve. In 1919, Vajuravudh imposed his military-exemptation tax that effected his popularity among the people.
Though the Siamese forces that joined the march at Versailles
returned triumphant in 1919, the economic problems caused by World War I was serious - the Great Depression
. In the same year, drought hit Siam and rice shortage ensued. The government forbade the export of rice - the main Siamese revenue since the Bowring Treaty
. Queen Mother Saovabha
, Vajiravudh's mother, died in 1919. Siamese participation in World War I opened the way to reconciliation, firstly with the United States
in 1920, the unequal treaties imposed by Western Powers in the 19th century.
In spite of the financial crisis, the railway constructions continued. The trains reached Narathiwat
and was expanded to the north and the east. The construction of Rama VI Bridge
began in 1922 and the same year the railway reached Chiangmai. However, the national account was in such deficit that a large loan from Britain was taken. Also in 1922, an insurgency occurred in Pattani
over the new taxation policies, which was readily subjugated by the Nakorn Sri Thammarat regiment. In 1923, Vajiravudh announced his six principles in the governance of Pattani Province, emphasizing local freedom and cautive tax measures.
In 1921, Vajiravudh married Prueng Sucharitkul, who was a daughter of Chao Phraya Sutham Montri and elevated her to Phra Sucharitsuda, as his concubine. He then married Sucharitsuda's sister Prapai Sucharitkul as his concubine with the title of Phra Inthrasaksachi. In 1922, Phra Inthrasaksachi was elevated to Queen Inthrasaksachi. However, the Queen suffered two miscarriages. In 1924, Vajiravudh married Krueakaew Abhaywongse, a daughter of Phraya Abhay Bhubet, as Concubine Suvadhana. Queen Inthrasaksachi was then demoted to Princess Consort Inthrasaksachi in 1925.
. The law gave priority to the descendants of the princes born to Queen Saovabha, then to Queen Savang Vadhana
, and then to Queen Sukumalmarsri
. The law also forbade princes whose mother was foreign from the throne. This referred to his companion Prince Chakrabongse who had married a Russian woman and his son Prince Chula Chakrabongse was therefore barred from the throne.
In November 1925, it was announced that Vajiravudh fell ill due to his gustatory disease as Princess Consort Suvadhana was then pregnant. Vajiravudh then announced his succession will; that if Princess Suvadhana were to give birth to a son, the throne would go to him. If not, the throne would pass to his surviving brother Prince Prajadhipok
of Sukhothai. He also barred Princess Inthrasaksachi from being interred with him in the future and instead granted that right to Princess Suvadhana. And Vajiravudh also barred his uncle Prince Damrong from the government.
On 24 November, midnight, Princess Suvadhana eventually gave birth to a princess, only 2 hours before Vajiravudh's death. Western doctors who tended the king then asked him if he would like to see his only child, and he concurred. Vajiravudh had a glimpse of his sole daughter before his demise. The throne passed to his brother Prajadhipok, who named Vajiravudh's daughter as Princess Bejaratana (Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana).
King Vajiravudh was one of Thailand's highly renowned artists, writing modern novels, short stories, newspaper articles, poems, plays and even journals. Among his works were translations of three Shakespeare
plays - The Merchant of Venice
, As You Like It
and Romeo and Juliet
and many other writing pieces to promote the ideology of Thai nationalism
.
The King was one among those writers who introduced mysteries and detective stories to Thai literature circles. He translated Agatha Christie
's Hercule Poirot
fictions into Thai language, and created the character "Nai Thong-In" as Siam's first consulting detective, using Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes
as a model. He also translated Sax Rohmer
's "the Golden Scorpion".
The King was also well-versed in Sanskrit
and Hindu
literatures, including the Ramayana
and the Mahabharata
epics. He translated many stories from the two epics into Thai and also wrote many plays with the inspiration from Hindu literatures. Indeed, he was quite influenced by Rama
, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu
and hero of the Ramayana epic, so much so that he systemized and promoted the use of the name "Rama" as the (English) reign names of all Thai Kings of the Bangkok (Rattanakosin) era. His own reign was dubbed as "Rama VI". (See Rama (Kings of Thailand))
Thaification
Thaification is the process by which people of different cultural and ethnic origins living in Thailand become assimilated to the dominant Thai culture, or more precisely, to the culture of the Central Thais...
. His reign was characterized by Siam's movement further towards democracy and minimal participation in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Education
Prince Vajiravudh was born on 1 January 1881 to ChulalongkornChulalongkorn
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramintharamaha Chulalongkorn Phra Chunla Chom Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama V was the fifth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri. He was known to the Siamese of his time as Phra Phuttha Chao Luang . He is considered one of the greatest kings of Siam...
and one of his four queens, Saovabha
Saovabha
Queen Saovabha Bongsri was a half-sister and queen of King Chulalongkorn of Thailand, and mother of both King Vajiravudh and King Prajadhipok...
. In 1888, upon coming of age, Vajiravudh received the title Krom Khun Thep Dvaravati. He was firstly educated in the Royal Palace in Siamese and English language. He continued his education in Britain, at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst , commonly known simply as Sandhurst, is a British Army officer initial training centre located in Sandhurst, Berkshire, England...
in 1891 and became part of Durham Light Infantry Regiment upon graduation. In 1894, his half-brother Crown Prince Vajirunhis
Vajirunhis
Crown Prince Maha Vajirunhis was the first Crown Prince of the Chakri Dynasty. He was the first son of King Chulalongkorn and Queen Savang Vadhana....
died. Vajiravudh was then appointed the new Crown Prince of Siam
Crown Prince of Thailand
The Crown Prince of Thailand was a title held by the heir apparent to the Thai throne. First created by King Chulalongkorn in 1886, for his son Prince Maha Vajirunhis, the king's eldest son by a royal wife Princess Consort Savang Vadhana. Prior to this the Siamese throne did not have a law or...
. He studied in law and history at Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church or house of Christ, and thus sometimes known as The House), is one of the largest constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England...
in 1899. However, he suffered the appendicitis
Appendicitis
Appendicitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the appendix. It is classified as a medical emergency and many cases require removal of the inflamed appendix, either by laparotomy or laparoscopy. Untreated, mortality is high, mainly because of the risk of rupture leading to...
that barred him from personally receiving the graduation in 1901.
Crown Prince Vajiravudh returned to Siam in 1902 and became a monk in 1904 temporarily according to Siamese traditions. In 1906, his father Chulalongkorn traveled to Europe to seek treatment for his lung disease. Chulalongkorn made Vajiravudh the Regent of Siam. Crown Prince Vajiravudh's accomplishment during his regency was his supervision of the construction of Chulalongkorn Equesterian Statue.
Chulalongkorn died on 23 October 1910. Vajuravudh succeeded his father as the king of Siam.
Ascension and Early Reforms
Even before coronation, Vajiravudh swiftly passed several reforms. He organized Siam’s Defence and established military academies. He created the rank of General for the first time in Siam, with his uncle Prince Bhanurangsi SavangwongseBhanurangsi Savangwongse
Field Marshal Prince Bhanurangsi Savangwongse, The Prince Banubandhu Vongsevoradej was a son of HM King Mongkut of Siam and HM Queen Debsirindra....
as the first Siamese general.
His first act following his ascension to the throne was to build the Royal Pages College which was subsequently renamed Vajiravudh College
Vajiravudh College
Vajiravudh College is an all-boys boarding school in Dusit, Thailand.The school was established by Phra Mongkut Klao Chaoyuhua - King Rama VI who is also known as King Vajiravudh. it was originally named the "Royal Pages College"...
by King Rama VII to honour his brother. It was built as an all boy boarding school in the same tradition as English public schools such as Eton and Harrow. The school was built instead of a royal monastery - a custom of Thai kings, as King Vajiravudh deemed that there were already too many temples in Bangkok. In his own hand written letter, King Vajiravudh wrote that "In the Royal Pages College, what I want is not so much to turn out model boys, all of the same standard, all brilliant scholars with thousands of marks each, as to turn out efficient young men - young men who will be physically and morally clean, and who will be looking forward keenly to take up whatever burden the future may lay upon them". Later he also raised the Civil Servant School to Chulalongkorn Academy for Civil Officials – then Chulalongkorn University
Chulalongkorn University
Chulalongkorn University is the oldest university in Thailand and is the country's highest ranked university. It now has nineteen faculties and institutes. Regarded as the best and most selective university in Thailand, it consistently attracts top students from around the country...
. Both Vajiravudh College and Chulalongkorn University still benefit from the personal funds that King Vajiravudh set aside for educational use at the two elite institution up till today. He also improved Siamese healthcare systems and set up some of the earliest public hospitals in Siam; Vajira Hospital
Vajira Hospital
Vajira Hospital is one of the first hospitals in Thailand, founded by King Rama VI. It is a teaching University hospital of the Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital. Situated on Samsen road, Dusit District, Bangkok, Thailand.-Background:...
and Chulalongkorn Hospital in 1912 and 1914 respectively.
In 1911, he established the Boy Scouts in Siam (with an adult arm disbanded in the latter part of his reign called the Wild Tiger Corps
Wild Tiger Corps
The Wild Tiger Corps was a national paramilitary corps founded in Thailand in 1911 by King Rama VI. Inspired by the British Volunteer Force, the unit was intended to maintain civil order....
.) On 11 November 1911, Vajiravudh's coronation was held with royalties from Europe and Japan as guests – for the first time in Siam to host international parties. In December, the first airplane was flown in Siam.
Early years of Vajiravudh's administration was largely dominated by his two uncles - Prince Damrong and Prince Devawongse - both of them Chulalongkorn's right hand men. However, he disagreed with Prince Damrong, the Minister of Interior over Prince Damrong's negotiation of Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909
Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909
The Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909 or Bangkok Treaty of 1909 was a treaty between the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Siam signed on March 10, 1909, in Bangkok. Ratifications were exchanged in London on July 9, 1909....
that ceded four sultanates to the British Empire.
Vajiravudh also reformed his father's monthon
Monthon
A monthon |]], literally "circle") was a country subdivision of Thailand in the beginning of the 20th century. The Thai word 'monthon' is a translation of the word Mandala. These were created as a part of the thesaphiban bureaucratic administrative system, introduced by Prince Damrong Rajanubhab...
system by imposing the paks or regions over the administrative monthons. Each pak was governed by an Uparaja
Uparaja
Uparaja or Ouparath, also Ouparaja , was a royal title reserved for the vice royal in the Buddhist dynasties in Burma, Cambodia, and Laos and Thailand as well as some of their minor tributary kingdoms.-Burma:...
(viceroy
Viceroy
A viceroy is a royal official who runs a country, colony, or province in the name of and as representative of the monarch. The term derives from the Latin prefix vice-, meaning "in the place of" and the French word roi, meaning king. A viceroy's province or larger territory is called a viceroyalty...
} directly in command of the king. The Uparaja presided over the intendants of monthons in the region - thus grabbing local administrative powers in his hands - much to the dismay of Prince Damrong.
Incident of Bangkok Era 130
Wuchang Uprising
The Wuchang Uprising began with the dissatisfaction of the handling of a railway crisis. The crisis then escalated to an uprising where the revolutionaries went up against Qing government officials. The uprising was then assisted by the New Army in a coup against their own authorities in the city...
that led to the fall of Qing dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
was a strong urge for Siamese radicals to act. So, for the first time, an attempt to overthrow the monarchy and establish the democracy happened in Siam.
The immediate cause, however, was laid even before Vajiravudh’s coronation. In 1909, Crown Prince Vajiravudh had ordered a Thai Royal Military Academy
Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy
Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy or CRMA is the military academy of Royal Thai Army. Established in 1887 it has graduated the vast majority of Thailand's military leaders and many of them become Thai Prime Ministers.-History:...
’s student who had had an argument with one of Vajiravudh’s pages to be canned. The alumni of the Academy, who had already been stationed throughout the kingdom, was provoked further by Vajiravudh’s establishment of the Wild Tiger Corps
Wild Tiger Corps
The Wild Tiger Corps was a national paramilitary corps founded in Thailand in 1911 by King Rama VI. Inspired by the British Volunteer Force, the unit was intended to maintain civil order....
, which was seen as Vajiravudh’s personal troops to replace the military.
The plotters were, however, relatively young army and navy officials, who was also the students in the 1909 event. The coup was planned to be staged on 1 April – Siamese traditional New Year Day. They also planned to choose one of Vajiravudh’s brothers as the first President of Siam. They also viewed that, if the absolute monarchy had been removed, Siam would achieve modernization like those of Japan. The coup leaders accused the King of devoting his time to writing plays and acting in them with his companions. They also accused him of living a luxurious life in western style; building Sanam Chan Palace
Sanam Chan Palace
thumb|right|250px|Chali Mongkol Asana, in the style of a European castleSanam Chandra Palace is a tiny castle-like structure built in a combination of French and English styles, but with adaptions for the tropical climate The palace grounds is located on a site Nakhon Pathom, Thailand and consists...
and Lumphini Park
Lumphini Park
Lumphini Park is a 360-rai park in Bangkok, Thailand. This park offers rare open public space, trees and playgrounds in the Thai capital and contains an artificial lake where visitors can rent a variety of boats. Paths around the park totalling approximately 2.5 km in length are a popular...
, and owning expensive horses from Australia, while preaching to his subjects to be austere and nationalistic.
However, the coup plan was leaked. Captain Yut Kongyu, who was selected as the assassin by lottery
Lottery
A lottery is a form of gambling which involves the drawing of lots for a prize.Lottery is outlawed by some governments, while others endorse it to the extent of organizing a national or state lottery. It is common to find some degree of regulation of lottery by governments...
, told Mom Chao Prawatpan – and then Prince Chakrabongse - about the upcoming coup. Prince Chakrabongse personally led the arrest of all conspirators and their punishments were severe – including executions to long-term imprisonment. However, Vajiravudh halted the punishment and released them all saying that what they did was for the sake of the kingdom.
Administration, Economy, and Infrastructure
Rama VI inherited his father's plan of building a modern nation although he was skeptical. Disagreements in new form of administration occurred constantly with 'old aristocrats', many of them were his relatives such as the celebrated Prince Damrong, his uncle, who took charge of the Ministry of Interior. As more and more corruptions in the newly created provinces were reported, Rama VI eventually suggested his own creation of viceroy system. Viceroys, who were appointed directly by the king, were sent to supervise the provincial governors and local officials.In 1912, Vajiravudh announced the change of calendar usage from Rattanakosin Era designated by Chulalongkorn to the Buddhist Era which is still in use today. In 1913, Siam faced financial crisis as the Chinese-Siamese Bank went bankrupt.
In 1914, the construction of Don Mueang Airport, the first Siamese airport, began. In the same year the Siamese government decided to take a loan from the Federated Malay States
Federated Malay States
The Federated Malay States was a federation of four protected states in the Malay Peninsula—Selangor, Perak, Negeri Sembilan and Pahang—established by the British government in 1895, which lasted until 1946, when they, together with the Straits Settlements and the Unfederated Malay...
to extend the railways to the south. In 1915, Vajiravudh himself visited the southern provinces to oversee the railway constructions. The Bangkok railway station at Hua Lamphong
Hua Lamphong
Hua Lamphong Railway Station , officially known as the Bangkok Railway Station, is the main railway station in Bangkok, Thailand. It is located in the center of the city in Pathum Wan District, and is operated by the State Railway of Thailand....
was then established as a center of Siamese railroads. Prince Damrong eventually left the Ministry of Interior in 1915. In 1916, Vajiravudh appointed his half-brother Prince of Kampangpetch as the Head of Railway Department.
In 1917, Vajiravudh established the Nakorn Sri Thammarat regiment as his handful forces. In the same year Vajiravudh officially founded the Chulalongkorn University - the first university in Siam named in honor of his father. In 1918, Vajiravudh founded the Dusit Thani
Dusit Thani
Dusit Thani was a miniature city and micronation project created by King Vajiravudh of Siam to explore aspects of democracy. See ดุสิตธานี at the Thai Wikipedia.Dusit Thani may also refer to:* Dusit Thani Group, a hospitality company based in Thailand...
near his Dusit Palace as an experimental place for democracy. The democratic institutions were imitated including elections, parliament, and the press. Vajiravudh himself acted as one of the citizens of Dusit Thani yet the city was perceived as another Vajiravudh's acting theatre.
World War I and Nationalism
Central Powers
The Central Powers were one of the two warring factions in World War I , composed of the German Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Kingdom of Bulgaria...
nations under government's protectorate. Vajiravudh then saw this as an opportunity to create and promote Siamese nationalism, against the so-called enemies - the Central Powers. He changed the Flag of Siam
Flag of Thailand
The flag of the Kingdom of Thailand shows five horizontal stripes in the colours red, white, blue, white and red, with the middle blue stripe being twice as wide as each of the other four. The design was adopted on 28 September 1917, according to the royal decree about the flag in that year; the...
from the elephant-banner to a tricolor one. King Vajiravudh is considered as the father of Thai nationalism, which was later built upon by Field Marshal Phibunsongkhram and Sarit Dhanarajata
Sarit Dhanarajata
Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat , was a Thai career soldier who staged a coup in 1957, thereafter serving as Thailand's Prime Minister until his death in 1963. He was born in Bangkok, but grew up in his mother's home town in Lao-speaking northeastern Thailand and considered himself a northeasterner...
. He introduced the practice of using the name Rama
Rama
Rama or full name Ramachandra is considered to be the seventh avatar of Vishnu in Hinduism, and a king of Ayodhya in ancient Indian...
for the Chakri kings in deference to foreign practice.
The Siamese troops were the only Southeast Asians in the European theatre (except for 140,000 Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
ese troops and workers drafted by the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
). They did not see much action though, as the Siamese troops arrived in Europe towards the end of the War. In any case, the participation in the War allowed Siam to later negotiate with the Western Powers on 'unfair' treaties made before.
Financial crisis
Though the Siamese forces that joined the march at Versailles
Versailles
Versailles , a city renowned for its château, the Palace of Versailles, was the de facto capital of the kingdom of France for over a century, from 1682 to 1789. It is now a wealthy suburb of Paris and remains an important administrative and judicial centre...
returned triumphant in 1919, the economic problems caused by World War I was serious - the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
. In the same year, drought hit Siam and rice shortage ensued. The government forbade the export of rice - the main Siamese revenue since the Bowring Treaty
Bowring Treaty
The Bowring Treaty is the name given to an agreement signed on April 18, 1855 between the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Siam that liberalized foreign trade in Siam....
. Queen Mother Saovabha
Saovabha
Queen Saovabha Bongsri was a half-sister and queen of King Chulalongkorn of Thailand, and mother of both King Vajiravudh and King Prajadhipok...
, Vajiravudh's mother, died in 1919. Siamese participation in World War I opened the way to reconciliation, firstly with the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1920, the unequal treaties imposed by Western Powers in the 19th century.
In spite of the financial crisis, the railway constructions continued. The trains reached Narathiwat
Narathiwat
Narathiwat is a town in southern Thailand, capital of the Narathiwat Province. The town covers the whole subdistrict Bang Nak of Mueang Narathiwat district. The town was established in 1936.-External links:...
and was expanded to the north and the east. The construction of Rama VI Bridge
Rama VI Bridge
Rama VI Bridge is a railway bridge over the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, in Thailand, connecting the districts Bang Sue and Bang Phlat. It was the first bridge to cross the Chao Phraya River. Construction started in December 1922 during the reign of Rama VI to link the Northern and Eastern rail...
began in 1922 and the same year the railway reached Chiangmai. However, the national account was in such deficit that a large loan from Britain was taken. Also in 1922, an insurgency occurred in Pattani
Pattani
Pattani may refer to* Pattani Province, in southern Thailand* Pattani , in southern Thailand* Pattani , which includes the above province** Pattani Kingdom, a former semi-independent kingdom...
over the new taxation policies, which was readily subjugated by the Nakorn Sri Thammarat regiment. In 1923, Vajiravudh announced his six principles in the governance of Pattani Province, emphasizing local freedom and cautive tax measures.
Marriages
Vajiravudh had been a king without a queen for about ten years. In 1920, he met Mom Chao Wanwimon, at his theatre at Phayathai Palace. They got engaged and Mom Chao Wanwimon was elevated to Princess Wallapa. However, four months later in 1921, Vajiravudh nullified the engagement and went for Princess Wallapa's sister - Princess Laksamilawan - whom he engaged. However, the marriage was never held and the couple then separated.In 1921, Vajiravudh married Prueng Sucharitkul, who was a daughter of Chao Phraya Sutham Montri and elevated her to Phra Sucharitsuda, as his concubine. He then married Sucharitsuda's sister Prapai Sucharitkul as his concubine with the title of Phra Inthrasaksachi. In 1922, Phra Inthrasaksachi was elevated to Queen Inthrasaksachi. However, the Queen suffered two miscarriages. In 1924, Vajiravudh married Krueakaew Abhaywongse, a daughter of Phraya Abhay Bhubet, as Concubine Suvadhana. Queen Inthrasaksachi was then demoted to Princess Consort Inthrasaksachi in 1925.
Succession Law
In 1924, Vajiravudh promulgated his Law of Succession - which has since become the code for successions of Chakri dynasty till today. According to the law, the throne would be passed to the king's sons and grandsons. However, in the case of Vajiravudh who had no sons, the throne would passed to his eldest true brother, that is, a brother who shared the same mother as his - Queen SaovabhaSaovabha
Queen Saovabha Bongsri was a half-sister and queen of King Chulalongkorn of Thailand, and mother of both King Vajiravudh and King Prajadhipok...
. The law gave priority to the descendants of the princes born to Queen Saovabha, then to Queen Savang Vadhana
Savang Vadhana
Queen Savang Vadhana of Siam was a consort of King Chulalongkorn or Rama V. Her full name and title was Queen Sri Savarindira - thus she was not the Rajini , but just was a highest consort...
, and then to Queen Sukumalmarsri
Sukumalmarsri
Sukhumala Marasri was a daughter of King Mongkut and his concubine, Samli . Her given name is Princess Sukhumala Marasri . She was later becomes one of the four Queens Consort of King Chulalongkorn and was also his half-sister.-Early life:Sukumala was born in Royal Grand Palace on 10 May 1861...
. The law also forbade princes whose mother was foreign from the throne. This referred to his companion Prince Chakrabongse who had married a Russian woman and his son Prince Chula Chakrabongse was therefore barred from the throne.
Further financial problems and Death
In 1924, King Vajiravudh, accompanied by Concubine Suvadhana, visited Federated Malay States. The reconciliation with European powers on unequal treaties progressed gradually, while financial crisis was taking a great toll on Siam as another loan was taken from Britain and the fire of a large number of government officials occurred. In 1925 Vajiravudh had to dissolve his Nakorn Sri Thammarat regiment and merged the administrative provinces into larger ones to lower the maintenance cost.In November 1925, it was announced that Vajiravudh fell ill due to his gustatory disease as Princess Consort Suvadhana was then pregnant. Vajiravudh then announced his succession will; that if Princess Suvadhana were to give birth to a son, the throne would go to him. If not, the throne would pass to his surviving brother Prince Prajadhipok
Prajadhipok
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramintharamaha Prajadhipok Phra Pok Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama VII was the seventh monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri. He was the last absolute monarch and the first constitutional monarch of the country. His reign was a turbulent time for Siam due to huge political...
of Sukhothai. He also barred Princess Inthrasaksachi from being interred with him in the future and instead granted that right to Princess Suvadhana. And Vajiravudh also barred his uncle Prince Damrong from the government.
On 24 November, midnight, Princess Suvadhana eventually gave birth to a princess, only 2 hours before Vajiravudh's death. Western doctors who tended the king then asked him if he would like to see his only child, and he concurred. Vajiravudh had a glimpse of his sole daughter before his demise. The throne passed to his brother Prajadhipok, who named Vajiravudh's daughter as Princess Bejaratana (Her Royal Highness Princess Bejaratana).
Vajiravudh as a writer
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
plays - The Merchant of Venice
The Merchant of Venice
The Merchant of Venice is a tragic comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1596 and 1598. Though classified as a comedy in the First Folio and sharing certain aspects with Shakespeare's other romantic comedies, the play is perhaps most remembered for its dramatic...
, As You Like It
As You Like It
As You Like It is a pastoral comedy by William Shakespeare believed to have been written in 1599 or early 1600 and first published in the folio of 1623. The play's first performance is uncertain, though a performance at Wilton House in 1603 has been suggested as a possibility...
and Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written early in the career of playwright William Shakespeare about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately unite their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular archetypal stories of young, teenage lovers.Romeo and Juliet belongs to a...
and many other writing pieces to promote the ideology of Thai nationalism
Nationalism
Nationalism is a political ideology that involves a strong identification of a group of individuals with a political entity defined in national terms, i.e. a nation. In the 'modernist' image of the nation, it is nationalism that creates national identity. There are various definitions for what...
.
The King was one among those writers who introduced mysteries and detective stories to Thai literature circles. He translated Agatha Christie
Agatha Christie
Dame Agatha Christie DBE was a British crime writer of novels, short stories, and plays. She also wrote romances under the name Mary Westmacott, but she is best remembered for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections , and her successful West End plays.According to...
's Hercule Poirot
Hercule Poirot
Hercule Poirot is a fictional Belgian detective created by Agatha Christie. Along with Miss Marple, Poirot is one of Christie's most famous and long-lived characters, appearing in 33 novels and 51 short stories published between 1920 and 1975 and set in the same era.Poirot has been portrayed on...
fictions into Thai language, and created the character "Nai Thong-In" as Siam's first consulting detective, using Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes is a fictional detective created by Scottish author and physician Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The fantastic London-based "consulting detective", Holmes is famous for his astute logical reasoning, his ability to take almost any disguise, and his use of forensic science skills to solve...
as a model. He also translated Sax Rohmer
Sax Rohmer
Arthur Henry Sarsfield Ward , better known as Sax Rohmer, was a prolific English novelist. He is best remembered for his series of novels featuring the master criminal Dr...
's "the Golden Scorpion".
The King was also well-versed in Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
and Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
literatures, including the Ramayana
Ramayana
The Ramayana is an ancient Sanskrit epic. It is ascribed to the Hindu sage Valmiki and forms an important part of the Hindu canon , considered to be itihāsa. The Ramayana is one of the two great epics of India and Nepal, the other being the Mahabharata...
and the Mahabharata
Mahabharata
The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India and Nepal, the other being the Ramayana. The epic is part of itihasa....
epics. He translated many stories from the two epics into Thai and also wrote many plays with the inspiration from Hindu literatures. Indeed, he was quite influenced by Rama
Rama
Rama or full name Ramachandra is considered to be the seventh avatar of Vishnu in Hinduism, and a king of Ayodhya in ancient Indian...
, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu
Vishnu
Vishnu is the Supreme god in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. Smarta followers of Adi Shankara, among others, venerate Vishnu as one of the five primary forms of God....
and hero of the Ramayana epic, so much so that he systemized and promoted the use of the name "Rama" as the (English) reign names of all Thai Kings of the Bangkok (Rattanakosin) era. His own reign was dubbed as "Rama VI". (See Rama (Kings of Thailand))
Ancestors
External links
See also
- History of Thailand (1768-1932)History of Thailand (1768-1932)Rattanakosin Kingdom is the fourth traditionally counted kingdom of Thailand. It was founded in 1782 with the establishment of Bangkok as the capital city...
- 1924 Palace Law of Succession1924 Palace Law of SuccessionThe Palace Law on Succession, BE 2467 governs succession to the Throne of the Kingdom of Thailand, under the ruling House of Chakri. The law was established during the reign of King Vajiravudh to systematically resolve previous succession controversies...