The Kingdom of Thailand commemorates annually the Chakri
Dynasty on April 6. However, since the April 6 is a Sunday this year, Monday,
April 7 will be the government holiday in lieu. Banks, government offices and
many business offices will be closed on Monday in observance of this special
day. However, currency exchange booths will remain open.
Chakri Day (April 6) was first instituted by H.M. King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) in
the year 1919 to commemorate all the Kings in the Chakri Dynasty, which started
with Rama I and continues to this day with Rama IX, H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej
the Great.
The reigning Kings in the House of Chakri brought peace and tranquility to the
people within Thailand’s borders and successfully protected the Kingdom,
maintaining sovereignty and integrity through crucial periods threatened by
European colonization and two World Wars.
In commemorating Chakri Day the national flag is proudly displayed by the people
of Thailand and all government officials and members of the community
participate in traditional ceremonies, making offerings of flowers and garlands
at the many statues of Kings in the House of Chakri.
The Chakri Dynasty, or the “House of Chakri” followed the reign of King Taksin
the Great, when He abdicated due to poor health. The Chakri Dynasty was ushered
in on 6 April 1782 when a close aid of King Taksin, General Chakri, marched back
into Thonburi and assumed the throne as H.M. King Buddha Yod Fa Chulalok the
Great (Rama I). Each Monarch thereafter has had “Rama” as part of their title.
Chakri Dynasty - Chronology of the
present-day Dynasty of Thailand
King Buddha Yod Fa Chulalok the Great (Rama I) 1782-1809
Rama I
King Buddha Yod Fa Chulalok the Great was chosen King in
1782, becoming the founder and first ruler of the House of Chakri. During the
year of his accession to the throne he moved the capital from Thonburi to the
opposite bank of the Chao Phraya River, thus founding the city of Bangkok. It
was during his reign that the Grand Palace was constructed and he installed the
Emerald Buddha in the Chapel Royal following its completion. Many historians
have stated that modern Siam dates from his reign.
King Buddha Loet La Nabhalai (Rama II) 1809-1824
Rama II
King Buddha Loet La Nabhalai (Rama II) was the only Maha
Uparaja (Deputy King, appointed by his father King Rama I in 1806) to eventually
succeed to the throne during the period of the Chakri Dynasty. His reign was a
period of consolidating the achievements of the previous reign and he began the
custom of appointing senior princes to supervise over the different departments
of state. He is best remembered, though, for his interest in the arts. He was an
artist, writer and composer, and the arts flourished during his reign.
King Nang Klao (Rama III) 1824-1851
Rama III
During King Nang Klao’s reign trade prospered and territorial
advances were made as the vassal states of the north and east came more firmly
under the rule of Bangkok. During his rule, in 1833, the first treaty with the
United States was signed. Extensively encouraged international trading and
education, enhanced promotion of Buddhism and built many temples.
His Majesty King Mongkut (Rama IV) 1851-1868
Rama IV
Modernized Thailand in both commerce and education, and
instituted reforms which would adapt the country to western ways. Known as the
“Father of Thai Scientists”, he was famous for his astrology. Before becoming
King, the then Prince Mongkut entered the monkhood. Ironically, it was this
period in monkhood, which required him to take a vow of poverty and self-denial,
that gave Prince Mongkut a good understanding of statecraft. It allowed him to
meet people from all walks of life, from the humblest to the elite, Thais as
well as foreigners. He traveled to various parts of the Kingdom, barefoot,
depending on offerings of food and other necessities from the people. From the
Thais, he gained an invaluable first-hand insight into their welfare and
livelihood. From the foreigners, he obtained precious information about the
outside world, especially about technology and science.
King Chulalongkorn the Great (Rama V) 1868-1910
Rama V
King Chulalongkorn the Great is one of the most beloved and
revered of all the Chakri Kings - during his long reign of 42 years 23 days
great advances were achieved for the country. He abolished slavery, extensively
contacted the Western world, modernized the government, education,
transportation, and communication. Bonds of friendship between himself and the
various European royal families were formed which exist to the present day. He
successfully managed to cultivate the idea of Siam as a buffer state between the
colonial possessions of the European powers in South-East Asia. The price he
paid of losing certain border territories was amply rewarded, for Siam was never
colonized - the only country in the region to maintain its sovereignty
throughout the period of colonial expansionism.
King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) 1910-1925
Rama VI
King Vajiravudh was educated in England and his great love of
literature and poetry in both Thai and English together with his scholastic
abilities was later to manifest itself during his reign. Among his lasting
achievements were devising a system of transliteration of Thai into English and
of translating the entire works of Shakespeare into Thai. His passion for
traditional Thai theater and ballet has left a mass of published scores which
form the basis of the study of these arts to the present day. He continued the
work of Rama V in modernizing Thailand, promoted education and established the
Boy Scouts in Thailand.
King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) 1925-1935
Rama VII
King Prajadhipok’s reign coincided with the worldwide
economic depression which followed the Wall Street Crash of 1929 and its effects
were not unfelt in Siam. On April 6, 1932 the country celebrated the
sesquicentenary of the Chakri Dynasty - two months later the eventual transferal
of power to a Legislative Assembly began. On December 10, 1932 King Prajadhipok
granted a constitution to the Thai people, and the Constitutional Monarchy of
the present day was born.
King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII), 1935-1946
Rama VIII
A direct grandson of King Rama V, King Ananda Mahidol was the
eldest son and second child of H.R.H. Prince Mahidol Adulyadej, Prince of
Songkla. He succeeded his uncle, King Prajadhipok, as King on March 2, 1935.
King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great
(Rama IX) 1946 to the present
Rama IX
A true monarch of the people and guiding light for the whole
Thai nation. Saved Thailand from many crises, dedicated to raising the living
standards of the poor, especially in remote regions. As his reign advances, the
growing reverence of the Thai people for their sovereign has become ever more
apparent. On May 5, 1987, to mark his then forthcoming 60th birthday, King
Bhumibol Adulyadej was proclaimed “the Great” by the prime minister of Thailand.
On July 2, 1988, HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great celebrated his record
reign - the day on which he had reigned longer than any of his predecessors. To
this day, he remains the longest reigning monarch in the world.
