His Majesty King Paramendra Maha Mongkut (King Mongkut), the Fourth Monarch of the Royal House of Chakri of Rattanakosin

His Majesty King Paramendra Maha Mongkut, widely known as King Mongkut, was the fourth monarch of the Royal House of Chakri during the Rattanakosin Era. According to the inscription on the Royal Subannaphat, his birth name was:

“Somdet Phra Chao Luk Ya Ther Chao Fa Mongkut Sommut Thewawong Phong Isarakasat Khattiya Rajakumarn”.

He was the second son of King Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (Rama II) and Queen Sri Suriyendra. He was born on Thursday, the 14th waxing moon of the 11th lunar month, in the Year of the Rat (Chulasakarat 1166), corresponding to October 18, 1804.

At the age of 20, he entered the monkhood and was given the monastic name Vajiranano, meaning “One with Diamond-like Wisdom.” He remained in the monkhood for 26 years, during which time he dedicated himself to religious and intellectual pursuits.

Following the passing of King Nangklao (Rama III) in 1851, the royal court and senior officials unanimously invited Prince Mongkut to leave the monkhood and ascend the throne. He accepted the invitation and officially began his reign on April 4, 1851, under the royal title:

His Majesty King Paramendra Maha Mongkut, King Mongkut.

A Reign of Transformation and Modernization

King Mongkut’s reign marked a pivotal era in Siamese history—a time of modernization and social reform. He recognized the urgent necessity for Siam to emerge from isolation and engage with the international community. His Majesty was profoundly aware that modernization, trade, and diplomacy were essential for national survival during the era of Western colonial expansion.

He skillfully balanced tradition and progress with his famous royal directive:
“Cling not blindly to the old, nor be overly enthralled by the new—seek the best from both.”

Over his 17-year reign, King Mongkut governed with wisdom and foresight. He was both a sovereign and a reformist leader. Foreign envoys respectfully referred to him as “King Mongkut,” and he was widely regarded as a monarch of exemplary virtue and intellect.

Diplomatic Achievements

King Mongkut opened diplomatic relations with numerous Western nations. Treaties of amity and commerce were revised to accommodate more equitable trade practices. He abolished outdated tariffs and permitted rice exports. The king also adopted Western customs—such as the handshake—and allowed foreign dignitaries to stand in his presence and engage more freely in conversation.

He introduced Western-style attire among Siamese courtiers and permitted foreign consulates and royal palaces to display national flags. This marked a symbolic shift toward mutual recognition on the world stage.

Cultural and Educational Advancements

He introduced the Order of the Royal Decorations to honor merit, coining the term “Dara” (Star) as a translation of Western heraldic terminology. He studied English under missionaries such as Dr. Caswell, Dr. Bradley, and Dr. House, and mastered Latin with Bishop Pallegoix. In addition to Pali, Sanskrit, and Mon, he became the first Eastern monarch proficient in English, which he used to study mathematics, astronomy, and various sciences.

He also encouraged royal children and nobility—both male and female—to study English and embrace modern education.

Legal and Administrative Reforms

His Majesty abolished archaic customs, such as the enforced closing of windows and doors when the king passed by, and the prohibition against looking at the monarch. He permitted citizens to submit petitions to him directly and reformed the judicial system by introducing merit-based appointments for senior judges.

He initiated the publication of the Royal Gazette, disseminating royal decrees for transparency. The king promoted agricultural practices, improved the legal standing of women and slaves, and issued Thailand’s first legal act recognizing marital property rights and protections against abduction—an early form of women’s rights legislation in Siam.

Religious Contributions

During his time as a monk, King Mongkut founded the Dhammayutika Nikaya—a reformist Buddhist order emphasizing strict adherence to monastic discipline. He modernized sermons, introduced Thai-language prayers, established Makha Bucha as an official Buddhist holy day, and reformed ordination ceremonies. He also encouraged monks to study secular subjects, including English, under the guidance of missionaries.

Infrastructure and Economic Modernization

His Majesty commissioned the construction of major roads such as Charoen Krung, Charoen Muang, Fueang Nakhon, and Rama IV, as well as the excavation of canals to improve transportation and commerce. As international trade grew, coin-based currency was introduced to replace traditional bullet money. The first Royal Mint of Siam was established under his reign.

Military and Artistic Developments

King Mongkut modernized the military by training troops in European-style tactics and commissioning the construction of sailing ships and steam-powered vessels for defense. Architecturally, his reign witnessed the creation of East-West fusion styles in temples and public buildings.

He encouraged fine arts and supported court painters such as Khrua In Khong, who pioneered Western-style perspective painting. He also sponsored the creation of Buddha statues and promoted religious art throughout the realm. His literary works included both religious and secular compositions, such as a royal drama version of the Ramayana, “Phra Ram Wandering the Forest.”

Scientific Legacy

King Mongkut was a skilled astrologer, famously accurate in his predictions. He authored the treatise Triphob to chart destinies—still consulted by court astrologers to this day. More importantly, he was deeply interested in astronomy and modern science.

He is widely honored as the Father of Thai Science, particularly for his precise prediction of the total solar eclipse on August 18, 1868. This event was calculated and publicly announced by the king, showcasing the strength of empirical knowledge.

Final Years and Legacy

Tragically, during his journey to observe the eclipse he had so accurately predicted, His Majesty fell ill. He passed away on Thursday, the 15th waxing moon of the 11th lunar month, October 1, 1868, after reigning for 17 years.