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.
Banks, government offices and most business offices are
closed on Friday, April 6 in observance of this special day.
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.
