How long did the Rattanakosin Kingdom last?
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The Rattanakosin Kingdom (, ) is the fourth and present traditional centre of power in the history of Thailand (or Siam). It was founded in 1782 with the establishment of Bangkok as the capital city. The period ended with the Siamese revolution of 1932.
Rattanakosin Kingdom (1782–1932)
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The maximum zone of influence of the Rattanakosin Kingdom included the vassal states of Cambodia, Laos, Burmese Shan States, and some Malay kingdoms. The kingdom was founded by King Rama I (Phra Phutthayotfa Chulalok) of the Chakri Dynasty. The first half of this period was characterised by the consolidation of the kingdom's power and was punctuated by periodic conflicts with Burma, Vietnam and Laos. The second period was one of engagements with the colonial powers of Britain and France in which Siam managed to remain the only Southeast Asian nation to maintain its independence.
Rattanakosin Kingdom (1782–1932)
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The year 1946 was the 165th year of the Rattanakosin Kingdom of Thailand. It was the twelfth and last year in the reign of King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII), the first year in the reign of Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), and is reckoned as year 2489 in the Buddhist Era.
1946 in Thailand
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Economically, from its foundation, Rattanakosin witnessed the growing role of Chinese merchants, a policy that started with King Taksin, himself the son of a Chinese merchant. Beside merchants, Chinese farmers came to seek fortune in the new kingdom. Rattanakosin's rulers welcomed the Chinese economic stimulus. Some ethnic Chinese merchants became court officials. Chinese culture was accepted and promoted. Many Chinese works were translated by ethnic Chinese court dignitaries. Siam's relationship with the Chinese Empire was strong. Rama I claimed his blood-relation with Taksin, worrying that the Chinese court might reject his approval. The relationship was guaranteed by the tributary missions, continuing until the Rama IV's reign.
Rattanakosin Kingdom (1782–1932)
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Rama III regarded his brother Mongkut, who was said to be very popular among the British, as his heir, although as a monk Mongkut could not openly assume this role. He used his long sojourn as a monk to acquire a Western education from French and American missionaries and British merchants, one of the first Siamese to do so. He learned English and Latin, and studied science and mathematics. The missionaries no doubt hoped to convert him to Christianity, but he was a strict Buddhist and a Siamese nationalist. He intended using this Western knowledge to strengthen and modernise Siam when he came to the throne, which he did in 1851.
Rattanakosin Kingdom (1782–1932)
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The year 1851 was the 70th year of the Rattanakosin Kingdom of Siam (now known as Thailand). It was the 28th and last year in the reign of King Nangklao (Rama III), and the first year in the reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV).
1851 in Siam
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Rama VI was the first king of Siam to set up a model of the constitution at Dusit Palace. He wanted first to see how things could be managed under this Western system. He saw advantages in the system, and thought that Siam could move slowly towards it, but could not be adopted right away as the majority of the Siamese people did not have enough education to understand such a change just yet. In 1916 higher education came to Siam. Rama VI set up Vajiravudh College, modeled after the British Eton College, as well as the first Thai university, Chulalongkorn University, modeled after Oxbridge.
Rattanakosin Kingdom (1782–1932)
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The year 1900 was the 119th year of the Rattanakosin Kingdom of Siam (now known as Thailand). It was the 33rd year in the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), and is reckoned as years 118 (1 January – 31 March) and 119 (1 April – 31 December) in the Rattanakosin Era.11 May – Pridi Banomyong was born in Ayutthaya Province
1900 in Siam
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The year 2016 is the 235th year of the Rattanakosin Kingdom of Thailand. It was the 71st and last year in the reign of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), the first year in the reign of King Vajiralongkorn (Rama X). It is reckoned as year 2559 in the Buddhist Era.
2016 in Thailand
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The legacy that Prajadhipok received from his elder brother were problems of the sort that had become chronic in the Sixth Reign. The most urgent of these was the economy: the finances of the state were in chaos, the budget heavily in deficit, and the royal accounts a nightmare of debts and questionable transactions. That the rest of the world was deep in the Great Depression following World War I did not help the situation either.
Rattanakosin Kingdom (1782–1932)