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Homepage > Who's Who > King Monkgut
On his accession to the throne, King
Mongkut (Rama IV) was 47 years of age, having spent 27 years
in the monkhood. During that long perio d in seclusion, he acquired a profound knowledge
of Buddhism which he utilised in instituting a reform movement
of the Buddhist Church. Western sciences and languages also absorbed
his interest, as is attested by the fact that he specialised
in astronomy and possessed a good working knowledge of English,
which he learned from his American missionary friends. He also
studied Latin with the Roman Catholic bishop and in turn taught
him Pali. Thus he was well-equipped for the responsibilities
of kingship, which account for the fact that he inaugurated a
policy of modernising the country along Western lines, starting
with the signing of a new set of treaties with the Western Powers
in 1855.
King Mongkut opened the land to a vital
flow of foreign commerce and opened men's minds to new ideas.
He set up printing presses, built roads and canals, and issued
the first modern currency to meet the requirements of his country's
expanded trade. He reformed the administration, installed foreign
advisers in government departments, called in European officers
to improve the army and organised a police force. He reaffirmed
the freedom of religion and encouraged the Christian missionaries
in the educational and medical work. He also employed Mrs. Anna
Leonowens, and English widow from Singapore, to teach English
to his children. This modernisation policy, which benefited the
country as a whole, was in most aspects continued and expanded
by King Mongkut's successor, King Chulalongkorn, or Rama V, who
ruled the country for 42 years (1868-1910).
- information from "A Survey of Thai
Arts and Architectural Attractions: a Manual for Tourist Guides"
- Pictures of King
Mongkut
- Photographing the
King - an account by John Thomson
- The Private
Life of King Mongkut - daily routine
- Illustration
in "English Governess"
- Sir John Bowring - a British embassy to Siam in 1855
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