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History
/ Bangkok / Absolute Monarchy
1782,
Apr 20 - Chao Phaya Chakri is crowned under the royal title
of King Rama I, marking the beginning of the Chakri Dynasty
which still exists today. One of Rama I's first major decisions
concerned the layout of his capital. In short form, it
is often said that Rama I founded Bangkok as his capital while
before the capital has been Thonburi. However, in this
abbreviated form, history is summarized not very accurately.
First of all, Bangkok was not really founded by Rama I. It had
been a settled area for several hundred years already
and it had even been well-known to European merchants
who commonly stopped over at Bangkok on their way to Ayutthaya.
Second, the sharp demarcation between Thonburi and Bangkok is
not justified. While European merchants stuck to the
name of Bangkok for their place of stopover, the community left
and right of the Chao Phaya river was known to the Siamese
as the town of Thonburi, having been elevated from the village
status of Bangkok. Thonburi was chosen by King Taksin
as his capital. And while it is true that King Taksin had erected
his palace and all major buildings on the right bank
of the Chao Phaya river, the city of Thonburi encompassed settled
areas on both banks. King Taksin's rationale had been
to have the river flowing through the capital as he feared
another Burmese attack and in that case wanted to have an easy
escape option. This option was maintained by having the
river flowing through not just alongside the capital. His idea
was that he could embark his people and troops rather unnoticed
and then make a get-away on the Chao Phaya. His destination
would have been his old stronghold of Chantaburi on the
east coast, close to what is now Cambodia. On the other hand,
when Chao Phaya Chakri became King of Siam, the Burmese
threat was by far not as eminent any more; Siam was again a
strong power, on equal footing with the Burmese. Rama
I didn't think in terms of easy escape routes anymore, but in
terms of strong defense. He had no intention of vacating
his capital, should the Burmese march on it - he wanted to defend
it by all means. For this purpose, however, a river flowing
through the capital was a disadvantage as it could have
served as an hard to secure entry point. Therefore, he decided
to neglect the western, larger side of what had been Thonburi,
instead concentrating everything important on the eastern
side. This included, of course, first of all his own palace.
To make space for his palace where it is still located, a large
settlement on the eastern side of Thonburi had to be razed.
The present palace area had largely been occupied by Chinese
inhabitants at the end of the 18th century. Chao Phaya Chakri
had the whole Chinese community transferred some three kilometers
downstream, to an area then known as Sampheng. The Chinese
even now live in that area, and Sampheng Lane now is
a famous Chinese shopping area (after it had been a red-light
district for many decades).
1785
- Work is by and large completed on the Grand Palace
and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The new capital,
now more or less just covering the area on the eastern side
of the Chao Phaya is inaugurated under the new name "Khrung
Thep Maha Nakhon Amorn Rattanakosindra Mahindrayutthaya Mahadilokpop
Noparattana Radchhani Burirom Udom Rachnivet Mahastan Amorn
Pimarn Avatarn Satit Sakatuttiya Vishnukarm Prasit." In
English: "City of Angels, Great City and Residence of
the Emerald Buddha, Impregnable City of God Indra, Grand Capital
of the World, Endowed with Nine Precious Gems, Abounding in
Enormous Royal Palaces which Resemble the Heavenly Abode where
Reigns the Reincarnated God, a City given by Indra and Built
by Vishnukarm". For convenience, it is the custom to abbreviate
the name. And for their further convenience, Western merchants
continued to call the place just Bangkok.
1785
- Renewed attacks by the Burmese are repelled.
1887
- The Burmese attack the north of the Siamese Kingdom
and are beaten again.
1793
- Rama I invades Burmese provinces extending into the
Malay peninsula but fails to annex the area.
1809,
Dec 7 - King Rama I dies at the age of 72 and one of his
sons (he had 17 plus 25 daughters) succeeds under the royal
title of King Rama II. Succession rules in Siam
differed from those common in Europe. The King had a free
hand to chose his successor. The most likely successor to
a king was not one of his sons but one of his brothers.
Usually, the successor was appointed early in the reign of a
king. He was given the title Prince or King of the
Front Palace (Maha Uparat), and the way palaces had been
built in Siam since Ayutthaya times, he indeed occupied a palace
that was in front of the one of the reigning monarch. Aside
from the Prince or King of the Front Palace there usually also
was a Prince or King of the Rear Palace. He was
designated the second in line to the throne, should the Prince
or King of the Front Palace die before the reigning monarch.
Normally, the Prince or King of the Rear Palace was another
brother of the reigning monarch. It was at the discretion
of the reigning monarch to appoint or not to appoint kings or
princes of the front or the rear palaces. Often, reigning monarches
appointed the occupants of the two side palaces only once
in their lifetimes. Did these occupants of the side palaces
die before the reigning monarch, the succession question was
often left open. Theoretically in such a case the Council
of Accession convened and chose one among them to succeed
a deceased king. The Council of Accession was typically made
up of several dozens of princes and high government officials,
usually but not necessarily princes; as Siamese kings
have often been industrious procreators, there has normally
never been a shortage of able family members to fill all important
government positions with family members (a situation
that still exists in the states of the Arabian Peninsula). While
succession questions were well ordered in theory, it
wasn't achieved before the Chakri Dynasty that succession matters
were in practice handled as prescribed by the rules. During
the Ayutthaya period, it had often been an ambitious palace
official who ascended the throne instead of a designated
heir, especially when the king to be was underage.
1810
- The Burmese invade areas in the Peninsula and for a
while hold Phuket but are easily expelled when some 20,000
Thai men are sent to fight them.
1818
- Portugal sends an envoy, Carlos Manuel Silveira, to
Siam and a commercial agreement between the two nations is concluded.
1821
- Kedah (at present a state of Malaysia, bordering Thailand,
then ruled by the Burmese) is invaded by Siam and its Sultan
flees to Penang.
1822
- British trade with Siam is developed.
1824
- The 1st Anglo-Burmese war (1824-1826) breaks out over
disputes along the border between Burma and India,
then ruled by the British. The British approach Siam to become
their ally. Siam profits from the war as the conflict
binds the Burmese armies to the west, thereby not posing
a threat to the Siamese Kingdom to the east of Burma.
1824,
Feb 24 - An alliance pact between Siam and Great
Britain is concluded. Despite being an ally of Great Britain,
Siam takes no active participation during the war in Burma.
However, Siam grants Great Britain some of its occupied Burmese
territories - the provinces of Arakan, Martaban,
Tavoy and Tenesserim. The area is by and large
identical with those parts of present-day Burma that reach into
the narrow Malay peninsula. These are the first land concessions
by Siam to the European powers Great Britain and France. More
substantial concessions of Thai soil to the European colonial
powers will follow. In it's widest extend, the Siam of
the early Bangkok period encompassed all of the present Laos
and Cambodia, some parts of what is at present northeastern
Burma, even a tip of the present Chinese Yunnan
province and parts of what is today northern Malaysia. Siam
had it's longest border with the Annamese Kingdom (the
present Vietnam) to the east, a shorter border with China to
the north, a short, fairly horizontal border with Malaya
in the south and to the east a border with Burma, pretty much
the same as it is today.
1824,
Jul 20 - King Rama II dies at 57, without having appointed
a heir to the throne (in spite of the fact that he had 38 male
and 35 female children from 38 different mothers). With the
consent of the Accession Council (comprised mainly of
members of the royal family) Prince Jetta, the eldest
son of Rama II but begotten with a non-royal wife succeeds the
throne - instead of Prince Maha Mongkut, the eldest son
of the King by a royal mother who could have been considered
the rightful successor to the King. But due to Prince Maha Mongkut's
exposure and prominent participation in numerous public affairs,
Prince Jetta wins the support of the Accession Council so that
no opposition comes up during his proclamation as King Rama
III. His posthumous title is Phra Nangklao.
1826
- A treaty of friendship and commerce is concluded between Siam
and the British East India Company (against which the
Siamese King Narai had declared war more than 100 years before).
1833
- Siam concludes its first treaty of amity and commerce with
the US.
1838
- The former Sultan of Kedah tries to regain control
of his territory. Siam invades Kedah again, affecting the nearby
Malay territories which had already been accepted as
belonging to Great Britain thus straining the relationship
between Siam and Great Britain.
1851,
Apr 2 - Upon the death of his half brother, King Rama III,
Prince Maha Mongkut is finally crowned King Rama IV, assuming
the royal title Phra Chomklao. After missing out on the
throne in 1824, he had become a Buddhist monk for 27
years and lived a highly disciplined live in northern Siam.
He even founded the monastic sect Thammayut which still
exists and whose rules are stricter than those of the larger
Mahanikai sect. During his monastic life, he studied Western
science as well as Western and Eastern languages. With this
background he intends to open Siam to the west. The opening
brought about by Mongkut probably saves the Thai kingdom from
becoming a colony of either Britain or France.
By making concessions and by and large granting the European
powers what they think they urgently need, he avoids his kingdom
becoming a target for European conquest. One of the main
matters, Mongkut has to grant the European powers are rights
on free trade.
1852
- The 2nd Anglo-Burmese war breaks out. The rest of the
southern provinces of Burma (with Pegu being the most
important) are annexed to the British Empire. Siam still maintains
neutrality.
1855,
Apr 18 - By virtue of a treaty between Siam and Great Britain,
a consular jurisdiction is established in Siam; residences
of British subjects become restricted, extraterritorial
areas; import duties are lowered. This agreement follows a pattern
imposed by European powers through force on many east Asian
countries.
1856,
Apr 15 - Through Townsend Harris, the US begins negotiating
with Siam to amend their 1833 treaty (the amendments should
be of advantage for the US).
1856,
May 29 - The new Treaty of Amity, Commerce and Immigration
is concluded between the US and Siam. Stephen
Mathon is sent as the first US consul to Bangkok.
1862
- Construction of a more advanced infrastructure system begins;
it concentrates on roads (transportation so far had been
mainly on canals). Most significant is the construction of Charoen
Krung or New Road along the Chao Phaya River in Bangkok.
1863,
Aug 11 - Cambodia though in the preceding decades
a vassal of Siam becomes a French protectorate by virtue
of a treaty concluded between Cambodian King Norodom
and France.
1867,
Jul 15 - Siam stops collecting taxes and tribute from Cambodia,
recognizes the country as a French protectorate and annuls
all earlier treaties between Siam and Cambodia. However, (for
the time being) the Cambodian provinces of Battambang
and Seemap bordering Thailand are excepted and recognized
as belonging to Siam.
1868,
Oct 1 - Upon the demise of King Rama IV, his eldest son,
Chulalongkorn (one out of 39 sons and 43 daughters from
39 wives) ascends the throne. Chulalongkorn (King Rama V) had
been given a sound education which included English lessons.
These he received from the English widow Anna Leonowens
who wrote two books on her experiences, An English Governess
at the Siamese Court and Romance of a Harem. Based
on Anna Leonowens' books, the fairly ridiculous film The
King and I was made - ridiculous because it views the 19th
century with the eyes of the 20th and lacks any historic understanding.
(The film was banned in Thailand). Like his father, Chulalongkorn
not only is a very able politician but also a ruler, modern
for his times. He abolishes the practice of prostration
in royal presence and issues a royal decree that every Siamese
born during his regime is a free man, thus eliminating
slavery. However, in order to prevent social upheaval in conservative
quarters, slavery is phased out only gradually.
Photo: Statue of King Chulalongkorn in front of the
parliament building in Bangkok
1871
- The first school in Siam is established; it caters
only to the children of the royal families.
1874,
Apr 15 - King Rama V creates a Privy Council.
It is composed of 49 members (13 princes and 36 high officials).
1874,
May 8 - King Rama V reforms the administrative political
set-up by creating a Council of State composed of 12 members
from the Phaya rank (the highest rank of nobility outside the
royal families).
1882
- Siamese resident ministers are appointed to serve in
Western countries and Japan with the aim of projecting
Siam as an independent country, worthy of being a member of
the family of nations.
1882,
Apr 1 - The administrative structure of Siam is changed
to 12 ministries under twelve ministers directly responsible
to the King as the virtual prime minister.
1884
- The first state school for non-royal Siamese is opened
in Bangkok.
1885
- The office of the Maha Uparat (Second King) is abolished.
The Second King has usually been a brother or son
of the King, chosen and appointed by the King at his discretion.
1887
- The Department of Education is created to manage schools
in Siam. This department is later elevated to a ministry.
1893
- French expansionist politics cause friction with Siam. France
withdraws its whole diplomatic mission from Bangkok.
1893,
Jul 13 - Because the French insist on the passage of 2 French
merchant vessels through the Mekong River, there is a military
skirmish between French and Siamese troops. (While the
lower part of the Mekong was anyway flowing through the French-ruled
regions of Vietnam and Cambodia, the upper part
was entirely located in Siamese territory, as Laos at
that time was an integral part of Siam.)
1893,
Jul 20 - The French blockade the Gulf of Siam with warships
as they are dissatisfied with the response to an ultimatum given
the Siamese foreign minister, Prince Dewawangse. The
ultimatum threatens to blockade the Thai coast if the French
are denied access to the Mekong River.
1893,
Jul 29 - In connection with the ultimatum, the French confront
Siam with a set of conditions; they concern substantial
land concessions as well as trading rights.
1893,
Aug 3 - Siam accepts the conditions and the blockade is
lifted.
1893,
Oct 3 - Siam, in its desire to maintain its independence,
agrees to a new treaty with France that brings no advantages,
just losses, to Siam. In the treaty, Siam yields all
its territories on the left bank of the Mekong to France
(basically the territory of the present Laos), plus all
the islands in the river; Siam refrains from using the Mekong
for war vessels; on a width of 25 kilometers (16mi) at the right
side of the Mekong, Siam is not allowed to build or maintain
any military installations; Siam is not allowed to build or
maintain any military facilities in the provinces of Battambang
and Seemap (today Cambodian provinces along the Cambodian/Thai
border); the French reserve the right to open consulates in
the towns of Nan and Khorat on Siamese territory.
There are further paragraphs to the agreement, too many to list
them all here. All paragraphs have, however, one thing in common:
they favor France at the expense of Siam.
1896
- An Anglo-French agreement is signed promising to maintain
the sovereignty of Siam despite their policies of colonial
expansion.
1897/1907
- In his desire for international recognition of Siam as a state,
King Chulalongkorn renews and strengthens his ties to
kings and emperors of the world by two journeys to Europe
and personal contacts with leaders in Europe.
1902
- Paper money is introduced replacing the flat silver
coin exclusively used before.
1905
- Slavery is completely abolished. The first foreign
loan is obtained from London. It is intended to meet urgent
expenses in railway construction.
1907
- Siam cedes the provinces of Battambang and Seemap
(today Cambodian provinces along the Cambodian/Thai border)
to France.
1908
- Courts of law are established in Siam.
1909
- Siam cedes to Britain its southernmost provinces Perlis,
Kedah, Kelantan and Trengganu which are basically
Malay inhabited (and today are part of Malaysia).
1910,
Oct 23 - After King Chulalongkorn's death, Prince Vajiravudh
(Jan 1, 1881 - Nov 25, 1925) succeeds him as ruler of Siam under
the title Rama VI. A gifted writer himself, he substantially
sponsors the arts. Among the most important political achievements
of his tenure are the reviews of many one-sided treaties
with western powers.
1911,
Nov - Coronation of Prince Vajiravudh as King Rama VI.
It is the first coronation in Siam attended by representatives
of world powers.
1913
- Surnames are created for every Siamese family. Traditional
gambling houses and lotteries are abolished.
1914,
Aug - World War I breaks out and Siam's declaration of
neutrality is good only as far as state policy is
concerned. Being an alumnus of a British school and the holder
of an honorary rank of General in the British army, King
Rama VI is conclusively an anglophile. His personal alliance
to the British is manifested by his large donations to the British
war chest and his repeated vocal resentment of German atrocities.
1917,
Mar 17 - Chulalongkorn University, the first university
in Siam, is established.
1917,
Apr 6 - The US declares war on the Central Powers. Simultaneously,
an appeal is issued to all neutral countries to join
the struggle to uphold the rights of freedom for small powers.
1917,
Jul 22 - Siam joins the allies and participates in Word
War I. All Germans and Belgians in Siam are arrested
and jailed in Bangkok. An expeditionary force of some 1,200
men is sent to Europe, but as the training and acclimatizing
period takes long, the war ends (Nov 12, 1918) before
they experience combat. The Siamese willingness to participate
in the war nevertheless strengthens the bonds of friendship
between Siam, France and Great Britain.
1920
- Vietnamese communist organizer Ho Chi Minh begins propaganda
work among the Vietnamese expatriates in northeastern Siam.
1923,
Dec 17 - Siam adopts the metric system of weights and measures.
1925
- Rama VI dies at the age of 44. Having remained a bachelor
until the age of 38, his only son is born a day before his death.
After the death of King Rama VI, his younger brother Prince
Prajadhipok (Nov 8, 1893 - May 30, 1941) succeeds the
throne under the title Rama VII. As he is the 76th
child of King Chulalongkorn and only the fifth son of the
one of Chulalongkorn's wife the King had elected Queen, he was
only fourth in line of succession after King Rama VI.
As he ascends the Siamese throne only because his elder brothers
had, unexpectedly, all died early, he was not well prepared
for the task, from his up-bringing as well as personally.
Furthermore, he was not in the best of health (and only reaches
the age of 48).
1927,
Nov 30 - The Privy Council meets for the first time after
its creation in 1877 and elects Prince Bidyalangkorn
as its President.
1931
- The Siam division of the Communist Party of China is
organized. It is dedicated to furthering the ambitions of the
Chinese communists rather than to a Thai revolution.
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