Thai Royals Trivia

1. One of the reasons given for Chulalongkorn's interest in reform for Thailand (then known as Siam) was that his father, King Mongkut, had arranged for a more Western type of education for his son. Who was Chulalongkorn's famous tutor?

From Quiz King Rama V: Absolute Monarch or Reformer?

Answer: Anna Leonowens

Chulalongkorn, born on September 20, 1853, was the son of the famous King Monghut ("The King and I") and Queen Debsirindra. He was his father's heir, even though he was the ninth son; his mother was the first "royal" wife to produce a son! His father, realizing the intricacies of European diplomacy, made sure that his son had a well-rounded education which included a variety of Western tutors, including Anna Leonowens. Although Leonowens published a book about her stay in Siam, many discrepancies have been noted. For example, Anna wrote that she was employed to serve as a governess to the King's children; in reality she was hired to be one of their teachers. It is uncertain how much influence she had over Chulalongkorn. At this point it is necessary to remind readers that "The King and I" was a fictionalized account of Anna's time as a tutor to the King's children. There is no basis of the insinuation that as his father was dying, Chulalongkorn gave the order that there would be no more kowtowing to the king. Indeed, the young man was very ill from the same disease which claimed his father's life. In keeping with tradition, he had served a six month term as a novice monk in 1866, after which he was named his father's heir. A short time later, Chulalongkorn and his father were on an expedition on the Malay Peninsula to confirm scientific calculations regarding the solar eclipse of August 18, 1868. Both became ill with malaria; Mongkut believed they both were dying and left it up to his officials to choose who they thought would be the best heir.

From Quiz King Rama V: Absolute Monarch or Reformer?

Answer: Regent

Si Suriyawongse had been the strongest and most valued official in King Mongkut's government and eventually held the distinction of being the highest ranking noble in 19th century Thailand. He had served as Samuha Kralahome, which meant that he was in charge of Siam's military forces. Like Mongkut, he was interested in Western ideas and technology; he had been open-minded as to allowing Protestant missionaries into Siam and worked to bring about the Bowring Treaty, which had established an economic relationship with Britain. When King Mongkut died, Si Suriyawongse saw to it that Chulalongkorn remained his heir, even though the King's dying words had left the choice open. Chulalongkorn went through his initital coronation in November 1868, and Si Suriyawongse became his regent, seeing to it that he was educated in the ways of government affairs and carrying on many of the policies of King Mongkut.

From Quiz Etcetera, Etcetera

Answer: Court intrigue

In 1824, the same year in which Mongkut became a Buddhist monk, his father died. Mongkut should have been crowned the next king, but court intriguers chose instead Prince Nangklao - the son of a concubine rather than a queen. Mongkut did not oppose this breaking of tradition. Instead, he devoted more of his time to promoting Western innovations in Siam for which he earned the nickname "The Father of Science and Technology" and the love of his people. And, far from being disliked by the British, Mongkut was seen as being the 'champion' of European civilization in the Siamese court, and it was due to British intervention that Mongkut finally became king in 1851, aged forty-seven.

From Quiz Etcetera, Etcetera

Answer: He crowned his brother as second king, King Pinklao

In 1851 Mongkut crowned his brother as second king, King Pinklao, and required his people to respect Pinklao as much as they respected him. To share his kingship with his brother may have been strange to the British (who have a history of murdering regal rivals) but it was a tradition already set in Siam. In 1583 King Naresuan had crowned his brother Ekathotsarot in the same manner. No doubt, Mongkut wished to avoid further court intrigue and wanted someone else to deal with the numerous 'etceteras' involved in being king - allowing him more free time to expand his mind - but he did have enormous respect for Pinklao's attributes and had calculated astrologically that Pinklao was as much favoured by the 'stars' as he was.

From Quiz King Rama V: Absolute Monarch or Reformer?

Answer: Tax Collection

The supervision of tax collectors had been the responsibility of Thai nobles and had been the source of much corruption. Of course, the reform brought about quite a bit of uproar as it threatened not only the nobles' status, but one of the major sources of their wealth as well. One of the main goals of King Rama V was to limit the power of the nobility, and this brought him into conflict with the Front Palace. In existence since the 1400s, the Front Palace official, who Westerners would call the Vice King or Second King, was typically a brother or son of the Thai king. This official was very powerful and throughout history the official even controlled his own army and/or navy. King Rama V ended the system, but not without having to deal with the Front Palace Crisis in 1874. Early opposition from the nobles did hinder the speed in which reforms could be made, and it had to be a gradual process. It was not until 1885 when the Vice King died that Rama V was able to abolish the office.

From Quiz Etcetera, Etcetera

Answer: Embracing western geographical knowledge & reforming Buddhism

Traditional Siamese Buddhist records described the earth as being flat, so geography and religion were very much entwined in Siamese culture and Mongkut set about changing them both. He created a new Buddhist sect which taught that "true Buddhism was supposed to refrain from worldly matters and confine itself to spiritual and moral affairs." This maybe shows where his 'etcetera, etcetera' originated! He considered himself to be totally above the petty details of life and just wanted to get on with things. So, after he came to power in 1851, his country more quickly embraced modernisation. Mongkut hired many English and American missionaries to teach the English language in his country, and he also set about reforming the Siamese army by hiring Western mercenaries to train the troops in Western style fighting. However, he maintained the absolute supremacy of Buddhism in Siam by restoring various temples and initiating a full moon festival to celebrate Buddha's main principles.

From Quiz King Rama V: Absolute Monarch or Reformer?

Answer: He was still viewed as an absolute monarch.

When Rama V became King, he inherited a government had been run in the same way for hundreds of years; it was going to be difficult to institute change. The Council was fearful of giving someone advice who was traditionally an absolute monarch and someone who was in a much higher social class than themselves. The members of the Council of State would not veto proposed legislation, nor would they freely give guidance to the king. It became necessary to disband the Council of State; in 1894 a new cabinet came into existence. During his reign Chulalongkorn reformed the judicial and legal codes in his country. It is interesting to note here that it did not appear that the king really wanted to give up his absolute power. As more and more Thai people were educated in the outside world, some asked for the government to become a constitutional monarchy. Rama V declined to make the change. Instead, he used his absolute power to make reforms that improved the lives of his people.

From Quiz Etcetera, Etcetera

Answer: Meeting the king bare-chested

In 1852, King Mongkut ordered the court nobles to wear shirts in his presence. Previously, court nobles had to meet the king bare-chested in order to prove that they were not hiding any weapons - NOT to thump their bare chests in obeisance. :) This traditional bare-chested Siamese practice was criticized by Westerners as 'barbaric' and, being the enlightened person he was, Mongkut put an end to it soon after assuming power.

From Quiz King Rama V: Absolute Monarch or Reformer?

Answer: American Civil War

In Siam prisoners of war were traditionally taken as slaves. This was not, however, the only way a person became a slave. People who had too many children could sell some into slavery. If a person owed a debt, he could sell himself and even his entire family into slavery. Slavery was the consequence of a defaulted debt. Not only that, but a slave's children were also born into slavery. It has been estimated that in 1867 approximately 33% of the people in Thailand were slaves. The abolition of slavery, however, was a touchy subject. First of all, there were some slaves who did not care to have their freedom; once freed they would need a way to make a living on their own. In addition, the nobles stood to lose their household laborers. Freeing the slaves in Thailand was a gradual process, beginning in 1874, and ending in 1905, when the Slave Abolition Act was passed. The king believed that the American Civil War had been fought over slavery, and he did not want his people exposed to a similar type of violent conflict.

From Quiz Etcetera, Etcetera

Answer: Bowring Treaty

In 1854, King Mongkut faced 'liberal' international laws when John Bowring, the Governor of Hong Kong representing Queen Victoria, arrived in Siam for the purpose of negotiating a treaty by which the 'Royal Storage' would be abolished. The Royal Storage was essentially a monopoly collecting taxation from foreign traders and forbidding the Siamese people from trading directly with foreigners. With free trade, the Royal Storage was dealt a severe blow but the common people profited and King Mongkut approved of this. Following the Bowring Treaty, more treaties were made with other powers and the resultant economic and social revolution led to the introduction of coinage in 1860. Rice milling and sugar production were the first industries in Siam, and with them came improvements in infrastructure.

From Quiz King Rama V: Absolute Monarch or Reformer?

Answer: Corvee

The use of the corvee system historically goes all the way back to ancient Egypt; common people were expected to assist the government with construction projects when they were unable to farm due to the annual flooding of the Nile River. It continued on in many areas of the world up to the time of the Industrial Revolution. Many people thought that giving their labor to the government was better than paying taxes! The corvee system had been established in Thailand by King Ramathibodi II in 1518. Men of a certain age had to register with the government or a nobleman and were expected to work three months a year. If they could make some sort of a payment, say of cattle, for example, they could do that instead of serve. This was another system that was very difficult to abolish in traditional Thai society. In 1900 an Employment Act was passed that required that all workers be paid for their labor.

From Quiz Etcetera, Etcetera

Answer: Anna Leonowens

In 1862, an English woman named Anna Leonowens was hired by King Mongkut to educate his children. Her influence on Prince Chulalongkorn and her relationship with King Mongkut was much embellished in both her autobiography, the book "Anna and the King of Siam" by Margaret Landon and subsequent musicals and movies. Such was the disrespect shown towards King Mongkut in these 'entertainments' - and the romanticising and fictionalising of historical events - that they were initially banned in Thailand.

From Quiz King Rama V: Absolute Monarch or Reformer?

Answer: Prostration

The Thai tradition of prostration in the presence of the king involved a person lying flat on the ground as a gesture of humility and obedience. In 1873 Rama V's proclamation was published in the "Royal Siamese Government Gazette". In addition to calling the practice "severely oppressive" he also said that he did "not see how the practice of prostration will render any benefit to Siam". He went on to say that "Taking a bow will be regarded as a new form of paying respect". The Thai people, an estimated 90% who are practicing Buddhists, also do this in their religion as a sign of reverence and respect. Interestingly the practice was revived in the 1950s as a way to show respect to the royal family. At Chulalongkorn University it has been a tradition since 1997 for freshmen students to prostrate themselves before statues of Rama V and Rama VI.

From Quiz Etcetera, Etcetera

Answer: 32 wives and 82 children

King Mongkut's 'promiscuity' was totally misunderstood by the prim and proper English schoolmistress Anna Leonowens. He saw it as his 'royal duty' to provide his country with heirs and to bestow honour upon women eager to become his wife. Anna, of course, saw this as a form of slavery and in her autobiography claims to have influenced Prince Chulalongkorn to abolish slavery in Siam by telling him the story of "Uncle Tom's Cabin". To equate Negro slavery with multiple wives and the traditional voluntary servitude of the Buddhist Siamese common people was clearly wrong. Also, in contrast to how Mongkut's story was fictionalised, he had improved women's rights in Siam. Many royal concubines had been released to find their own husbands, and he had banned forced marriages of any description as well as the practice of selling one's wife to pay debts.

From Quiz Etcetera, Etcetera

Answer: Elephants

Clearly, King Mongkut thought that the USA was very unfortunate not to have native elephants and, being the person he was, offered the President as many as he wanted. By the time King Mongkut's letter with the elephant offer reached its destination, President Buchanan had been succeeded by President Lincoln who politely declined, explaining that American steam engines already performed as 'beasts of burden' and that the American climate was unsuitable for elephants. Interestingly, Mongkut's great-grandson, King Bhumibol of Thailand, referred to the elephant incident during his state visit to the USA in 1960.

From Quiz Etcetera, Etcetera

Answer: Solar eclipse

King Mongkut was a master at both indigenous astrology and Western astronomy and mathematics. His calculations for the solar eclipse at Wakor were made using both the Thai system of time measurement as well as the Western measurement of longitude and latitude. He changed the Buddhist calendar because, in his eyes, it was flawed and he berated his court astrologers for being negligent and stupid! He correctly determined not only the date of the solar eclipse but also where it could be best viewed in his country (Wakor village in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, south of Hua Hin). It was on this expedition to view the eclipse that King Mongkut became ill with malaria and died six weeks later, aged sixty-four. It's strange that he did not foresee his own demise, but perhaps he did - considering it one of those 'etceteras' that weren't worth articulating in his particular understanding of Buddhist philosophy.

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