83-503: Prajadhipok (8 November 1893 – 30 May 1941) was the seventh king of Siam from the Chakri dynasty , titled Rama VII . His reign was a turbulent time for Siam due to political and social changes during the 1932 Siamese revolution . He is to date the only Siamese monarch of the Chakri dynasty to abdicate. Somdet Chaofa Prajadhipok Sakdidej ( Thai : สมเด็จเจ้าฟ้าประชาธิปกศักดิเดชน์ )
166-600: A Burmese army under the Konbaung dynasty invaded, sacked and burned the city of Ayutthaya . An interlude filled by a short civil war was ended when Taksin restored the country under what has been called the Thonburi Kingdom . Kingship during the Thonburi period saw the adoption of the 'personal kingship' system that was previously administered under Naresuan (but abandoned after his death). Taksin treated
249-686: A Harvard law professor, was Edward Henry Strobel. Sayre served as High Commissioner to the Philippines from October 28, 1939 to October 12, 1942. He visited Japan in May 1940 and held several meetings with Foreign Minister Hachirō Arita . He proposed the Pacific Nonaggression Pact and the withdrawal of Japanese troops from China to Arita, but was rejected. He was evacuated from the Philippines along with General Douglas MacArthur , President Manuel Quezon and other officials of
332-596: A constitutional government to the kingdom. Their efforts culminated in an almost bloodless "revolution" on the morning of 24 June 1932 by the self-proclaimed Khana Ratsadon ( People's Party ; คณะราษฎร). While Prajadhipok was away at Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin , the plotters took control of the Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall in Bangkok and arrested key officials (mainly princes and relatives of
415-530: A council similar to a cabinet , where the most important government officials could meet to decide state affairs. This advisory and legislative council, styled the Supreme Council of State of Siam (Thai: อภิรัฐมนตรีสภา) was founded on 28 November 1925 and existed until 1932. In June 1932, a group of foreign-educated students and military men called " the promoters " carried out a bloodless revolution , seized power and demanded that King Prajadhipok grant
498-491: A measure of decentralisation of power in municipalities had become, in Prajadhipok's mind, fundamental to future policy-making. However, Yasukichi Yatabe, Japanese minister to Siam, criticized the king's way and that it would not be accomplished in a hundred years' time. In September 1931 Britain abandoned the gold standard and devalued sterling by 30 percent. This created a crisis for Siam since most of its foreign exchange
581-572: A more pleasant name, he called it "Glen Pammant", an anagram of an old Thai phrase tam pleng nam . They remained there for two years. They moved again to Vane Court, the oldest house in the village of Biddenden in Kent. He led a peaceful life there, gardening in the morning and writing his autobiography in the afternoon. In 1938 the royal couple moved to Compton House, in the village of Wentworth in Virginia Water , Surrey. Due to bombing by
664-456: A series of laws and measures relating to lèse majesté in Thailand are hindrances to freedom of expression. Dozens of arrests, hundreds of criminal investigations and multiple imprisonments have been made based on these laws. King Bhumibol Adulyadej's speech in his 2005 national birthday broadcast could have been interpreted as a suggestion that he welcomed criticism . The lèse-majesté law
747-497: A system of absolute rule. Living in palaces designed after Mount Meru ("home of the gods" in Hinduism), the kings turned themselves into a " Chakravartin ", where the king became an absolute and universal lord of his realm. Kings demanded that the universe be envisioned as revolving around them , and expressed their powers through elaborate rituals and ceremonies. For four centuries these kings ruled Ayutthaya, presiding over some of
830-431: A wish to restore a Chulalongkorn-type government. Unlike his predecessor, the king read virtually all state papers that came his way, from ministerial submissions to petitions by citizens. The king was painstaking and conscientious; he would elicit comments and suggestions from a range of experts and study them, noting the good points in each submission, but when various options were available he would seldom be able to select
913-610: Is head of state , Highest Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces , adherent of Buddhism and upholder of religions . The current concept of Thai kingship evolved through 800 years of absolute rule. The first king of a unified Thailand was the founder of the Sukhothai Kingdom , King Si Inthrathit , in 1238. The idea of this early kingship is said to be based on two concepts derived from Hinduism and Theravada Buddhist beliefs. The first concept
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#1732801164693996-535: Is based on the ancient Indian Kshatriya ( Thai : กษัตริย์) , or warrior-ruler, in which the king derives his powers from military might. The second is based on the Buddhist concept of Dhammaraja ( Thai : ธรรมราชา) , Buddhism having been introduced to Thailand around the 6th century AD. The idea of the Dhammaraja (or kingship under Dharma) is that the king should rule his people in accordance with Dharma and
1079-528: Is created to bolster a conservative elite well beyond the walls of the palace." The Thai activist and magazine editor Somyot Prueksakasemsuk , who was sentenced to eleven years' imprisonment for a violation of lèse-majesté laws in 2013, is a designated prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International. The king is assisted in his work and duties by the Private Secretary to the King of Thailand and
1162-533: Is listen to the opinions of others and choose the best...If I have made a mistake, I believe I really deserve to be excused by the people of Siam". No previous monarch had ever spoken so honestly. The speech was widely reported and many interpreted his words not as a frank appeal for understanding and cooperation, but as a sign of weakness and proof that the system of rule of fallible autocrats should be abolished. A small group of soldiers and civil servants began secretly plotting to overthrow absolute monarchy and bring
1245-449: Is part of Thailand's criminal-law code and has been described as the "world's harshest lèse majesté law" and "possibly the strictest criminal-defamation law anywhere". Political scientist Giles Ungpakorn noted that "the lèse-majesté laws are not really designed to protect the institution of the monarchy. In the past, the laws have been used to protect governments and to shield military coups from lawful criticism. This whole [royal] image
1328-613: Is required by court etiquette as an honorific register consisting of a special vocabulary used exclusively for addressing the king, or for talking about royalty. The king was chief administrator, chief legislator, and chief judge, with all laws, orders, verdict and punishments theoretically originating from his person. The king's sovereignty was reflected in the titles "Lord of the Land" ( พระเจ้าแผ่นดิน Phra Chao Phaen Din ) and "Lord of Life" ( เจ้าชีวิต Chao Chiwit ). The king's powers and titles were seen by foreign observers as proof that
1411-416: Is the constitutional form of government of Thailand (formerly Siam ). The king of Thailand ( Thai : พระมหากษัตริย์ไทย , historically, king of Siam ; Thai : พระเจ้ากรุงสยาม ) is the head of state and head of the ruling Chakri dynasty . Although the current Chakri dynasty was created in 1782, the existence of the institution of monarchy in Thailand is traditionally considered to have its roots in
1494-621: The Buddhist Dharmaraja . The two former concepts were re-established, with a third, older concept taking hold. This concept was called " Devaraja " ( Thai : เทวราชา) (or "divine king"), which was an idea borrowed by the Khmer Empire from the Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms of Java , especially the idea of a scholar class based on Hindu Brahmins . The concept centered on the idea that the king was an incarnation ( avatar ) of
1577-732: The Bureau of the Royal Household and the Crown Property Bureau respectively, these agencies are not considered part of the Thai government and all personnel are appointed by the king. The junta that took power in 2014 was aggressive in jailing critics of the monarchy. In 2015, it spent US$ 540 million, more than the budget of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on a promotional campaign called "Worship, protect and uphold
1660-766: The Commonwealth government after the Japanese invasion of the Philippines in December 1941. Sayre's immediate subordinate in his later capacity of Assistant Secretary of State was Alger Hiss . He died on March 29, 1972, and was buried at Washington National Cathedral . Sayre's son, Francis Bowes Sayre Jr. , (1915–2008) was the dean of the National Cathedral in Washington from 1951 until his retirement in 1978. His daughter Eleanor (1916–2001)
1743-613: The Privy Council of Thailand , in consultation with the head of the cabinet, the Prime Minister . In accordance with the country’s constitution, the king is no longer the originator of all laws in the kingdom; that prerogative is entrusted to the National Assembly of Thailand . All bills passed by the legislature, however, require his royal assent to become law. The monarchy's household and finances are managed by
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#17328011646931826-502: The Rattanakosin period the Chakri kings tried to continue the concepts of Ayutthayan kingship once again emphasizing the connection between the sovereign and his subjects. On the other hand, they continued to not relinquish any authority of the throne. Kings Phutthaloetla Naphalai (Rama II) and Nangklao (Rama III) created a semblance of a modern administration by creating a supreme council and appointing chief officers to help with
1909-761: The United Nations Trusteeship Council . While Sayre was Siam's foreign affairs advisor, he was appointed by King Prajadhipok as Siam's representative on the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague. He was awarded the Grand Cross of the Crown of Siam , and was the second American advisor to be awarded the title Phya Kalyanamaitri or "the beautiful in friendship." The first American Adviser in Foreign Affairs, also
1992-582: The École Superieure de Guerre in France, returning to Siam to the Siamese military. During this time, he was granted the additional title Krom Luang Sukhothai (Prince of Sukhothai ). Prajadhipok lived a generally quiet life with his wife at their residence, Sukhothai Palace , next to the Chao Phraya River . The couple had no children. Prajadhipok soon found himself rising rapidly in succession to
2075-467: The "father of Thai democracy", who already intended to usher in democracy before the Khana Ratsadon prematurely carried out their revolution. Prajadhipok's abdication statement is often cited in support of this view. Later historians have challenged it as a myth, citing evidence that Prajadhipok's political maneuvers leading up to his abdication had more to do with preserving the power and status of
2158-483: The 150th anniversary of the Chakri dynasty. These proposals met strong opposition from Prince Damrong and other royal members of the Supreme Council and despite his own misgivings that to not proceed would result in a coup against his government, the king ultimately did not make the planned announcement. On 20 January 1932, with the country deep in depression, the king convened a "round table" meeting to discuss
2241-650: The German Luftwaffe in 1940, the couple again moved, first to a small house in Devon , and then to Lake Vyrnwy Hotel in Powys , Wales, where the former king had a heart attack. The couple returned to Compton House, as he expressed his preference to die there. King Prajadhipok died from heart failure on 30 May 1941. His cremation was held at the Golders Green Crematorium in north London. It
2324-488: The King and the royalists seemed to be able to compromise with Khana Ratsadon. The constitutional bill which was drafted by Pridi Banomyong and intended to be a permanent one was made temporary. The new constitution restored some of the monarch's lost power and status. Among them were introduction of unelected half of the House of Representatives and royal veto power. The country's first prime minister Phraya Manopakorn Nititada
2407-672: The Minister of Foreign Affairs to prepare a constitution. The task of drafting this document was given to the American Raymond B. Stevens and Phaya Sri Wisarn Waja. In March the following year they submitted an "Outline of Changes in the Form of Government" together with their comments. Prajadhipok originally planned to announce the new constitution to the nation of 6 April at the opening of the Memorial Bridge to commemorate
2490-536: The Privy Council, which had over 200 members at that time, as a quasi-legislative body. This large of an assembly proved too cumbersome, and in 1927 Prajadhipok created the Committee of the Privy Council consisting of 40 members selected from the royal family or nobility. The committee was received positively by the press and was envisaged as a forerunner of a parliament or National Assembly. In practice however
2573-421: The best one and abandon others. He would often rely upon the Supreme Council to prod him in a particular direction. From the beginning of his reign King Prajadhipok was acutely aware that political change was necessary if the monarchy was to be preserved. He viewed his newly established Supreme Council as an institutional check upon the powers of an absolute monarch. During 1926, Prajadhipok experimented with using
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2656-460: The committee remained relatively unimportant and sadly did not develop into a more powerful or representative body. In 1926 Prajadhipok wrote a lengthy memorandum to his American adviser Francis B. Sayre titled "Problems of Siam" in which he set forth nine questions he felt were the most serious facing the nation. The third question asked whether Siam should have a parliamentary system, which Prajadhipok doubted. The fourth question asked whether Siam
2739-439: The concept of kingship by abandoning the shroud of mysticism usually adopted by many Ayutthayan monarchs; he often revealed himself to the common folk by partaking in public activities and traditional festivities. He did little to emphasize his new capital, Thonburi , as the spiritual successor to Ayutthaya. He also emphasized the building of moats and defensive walls in Thonburi. In 1782, Phutthayotfa Chulalok (Rama I) ascended
2822-476: The coup plotters in a royal audience. As they entered the room, Prajadhipok greeted them, saying "I rise in honour of the Khana Ratsadorn." It was a significant gesture because, according to previous royal rituals, monarchs were to remain seated while their subjects made obeisance, this showed that Prajadhipok was acknowledging the changed circumstances. In the early stages of the constitutional monarchy,
2905-1589: The declining monarchy than challenging the Khana Ratsadon's actual failures to uphold democratic ideals. Chakri dynasty Kings Viceroys Deputy Viceroy Crown Prince Hereditary Prince Royalty Siamese Foreigners Key events Monarchy of Thailand Regents of Thailand Prime Ministers of Thailand Military Others Institutions Key events Monarchy of Thailand Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) Dipangkorn Rasmijoti Paetongtarn Shinawatra ( PTP ) Phumtham Wechayachai ( PTP ) Suriya Juangroongruangkit ( PTP ) Anutin Charnvirakul ( BTP ) Pirapan Salirathavibhaga ( UTN ) Pichai Chunhavajira ( PTP ) Prasert Jantararuangtong ( PTP ) Wan Muhamad Noor Matha ( PCC ) Mongkol Surasajja [REDACTED] Wan Muhamad Noor Matha ( PCC ) Pichet Chuamuangphan ( PTP ) Paradorn Prissanananthakul ( BTP ) Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut ( PP ) [REDACTED] Mongkol Surasajja Kriangkrai Srirak Bunsong Noisophon President: Chanakarn Theeravechpolkul President: Prasitsak Meelarp President: Nakarin Mektrairat Diplomatic missions of / in Thailand Passport Visa requirements Visa policy Borders : Cambodia Laos Malaysia Myanmar (Maritime : India Indonesia Vietnam) Foreign aid The monarchy of Thailand
2988-579: The end of the kingdom, the two old concepts returned as symbolized by the change in the style of the kings: "Pho" was changed to "Phaya" or Lord. The Sukhothai Kingdom was supplanted by the Ayutthaya Kingdom , which was founded in 1351 by King Ramathibodhi I . During the Ayutthayan period, the idea of kingship changed. Due to ancient Khmer tradition in the region, the Hindu concept of kingship
3071-437: The entire cabinet of ministry heads had been replaced with newly appointed Princes or nobles, with only three former members being re-appointed. While the family appointments brought back men of talent and experience, they also signalled a return to royal oligarchy. The king clearly wished to demonstrate a clear break with the discredited sixth reign, and his choice of men to fill the top positions appeared to be guided largely by
3154-414: The faculty at Harvard Law School from 1917 to 1933, and he received his J.D.S. degree from Harvard in 1918. He later served as foreign affairs advisor to the government of King Vajiravudh of Siam as successor to American Foreign Affairs Adviser Edward Henry Strobel , Jens Westengard and Eldon James ; Assistant Secretary of State , High Commissioner of the Philippines , and U.S. representative to
3237-614: The founding of the Sukhothai Kingdom in 1238, with a brief interregnum from the death of Ekkathat to the accession of Taksin in the 18th century. The institution was transformed into a constitutional monarchy in 1932 after the bloodless Siamese Revolution of 1932 . The monarchy's official ceremonial residence is the Grand Palace in Bangkok , while the private residence has been at the Dusit Palace . The king of Thailand
3320-411: The god Vishnu and that he was a Bodhisattva (enlightened one), therefore basing his power on his religious power, his moral power, and his purity of blood. The king, portrayed by state interests as a semi-divine figure, then became—through a rigid cultural implementation—an object of worship and veneration to his people. From then on the monarchy was largely removed from the people and continued under
3403-567: The government and restored its power. He played an active role in an anti-revolutionary network, which also aimed to assassinate Khana Ratsadon's leaders. In October 1933, the maverick Prince Boworadej , a former minister of defence, led an armed revolt against the government. In the Boworadet Rebellion , he mobilised several provincial garrisons and marched on Bangkok, occupying the Don Muang aerodrome. Prince Boworadej accused
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3486-445: The government did not comply, on 14 October Prajadhipok announced his intention to abdicate unless his requests were met. The People's Party rejected the ultimatum, and on 2 March 1935, Prajadhipok abdicated, to be replaced by Ananda Mahidol . Prajadhipok issued a brief statement criticising the regime that included the following phrases, since often quoted by critics of Thailand's slow political development. I am willing to surrender
3569-411: The government of being disrespectful to the monarch and of promoting communism, and demanded that government leaders resign. However, the rebellion ultimately failed. The king did not directly support the rebellion, but there was a cheque from the treasury to Boworadej. The insurrection diminished the king's prestige. When the revolt began, Prajadhipok immediately informed the government that he regretted
3652-536: The government. He lived in exile in the United Kingdom until his death in 1941. The king was replaced by his young nephew Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII). The new king was 10 years old and was living abroad in Switzerland . A council of regents was appointed in his place. During this period the roles and powers of the king were entirely usurped by the fascist government of Plaek Phibunsongkhram , who changed
3735-580: The greatest period of cultural, economic, and military growth in Thai history . The Kings of Ayutthaya created many institutions to support their rule. Whereas feudalism developed in the European Middle Ages , Ayutthayan King Trailokanat in the 15th century instituted sakdina , a system of social hierarchy which ranked the king's subjects according to the amount of land they were entitled to, according to their rank and position. Rachasap
3818-461: The king was an absolute monarch in the European sense. However, in Siamese tradition the duty and responsibility of the king was seen as developed from the ancient Indian theories of royal authority , which resemble Enlightened Absolutism , although the emphasis is not on rationality but on Dhamma . This was disrupted in 1767, when Thai digests of the dhammasāt ( ธรรมศาสตร์ ) were lost when
3901-702: The king's children, he was sent abroad to study, going to Eton College in 1906, then to the Woolwich Military Academy from which he graduated in 1913. He received a commission in the Royal Horse Artillery in the British Army based in Aldershot . In 1910 Chulalongkorn died and was succeeded by Prajadhipok's older brother (also a son of Queen Saovabha), Crown Prince Vajiravudh , who became King Rama VI. Prince Prajadhipok
3984-525: The king's wish, and another House member criticized the king for being unbearable. Prajadhipok, whose relations with the Khana Ratsadon had been deteriorating for some time, went on a tour of Europe before visiting England for medical treatment. He continued to correspond with the government regarding the conditions under which he would continue to serve. He tried to retain some of the royal powers, such as power to veto law with no possible override. Other disagreements were on royal assets and royal benefits. After
4067-458: The king). The People's Party demanded Prajadhipok become a constitutional monarch and grant Thai people a constitution. In the event of a negative response, they reserved the right to declare Siam a republic. The king immediately accepted the People's Party's request and the first "permanent" constitution of Siam was promulgated on 10 December. Prajadhipok returned to Bangkok on 26 June and received
4150-489: The latter as regent , from the king's death in 1868 until 1873). Chulalongkorn (Rama V) ascended the throne as a minor at age 15 in 1868, and as King of Siam on 16 November 1873. As a prince, he had been tutored in Western traditions by the governess , Anna Leonowens . Intent on reforming the monarchy along Western lines, during his minority he traveled extensively to observe western administrative methods. He transformed
4233-411: The many competing arguments and to agree on how to tackle the crisis. From this meeting it was agreed to make large cuts in government spending and implement a retrenchment programme. Two weeks later on 5 February the king addressed a group of military officers and spoke at length about the economic situation. In this speech he remarked "I myself know nothing at all about managing finances, and all I can do
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#17328011646934316-421: The monarchy along Western lines of an " enlightened ruler ". He abolished the practice of prostration in front of the monarch, and repealed many laws concerning the relationship between the monarch and his people, while continuing many of the ancient aspects and rituals of the old kingship. In 1874, he created a privy council copied from the European tradition, to help him rule his Kingdom. During his reign Siam
4399-648: The monarchy into the 20th century. The perceived slow pace of reform resulted in the Palace Revolt of 1912 . In 1914, Vajiravudh determined that the act providing for invoking martial law , first promulgated by his father in 1907, was not consistent with modern laws of war , nor convenient for the preservation of the security of the state, so it was amended to a more modern form that, with minor amendments, continued in force through subsequent changes in government. Prajadhipok (Rama VII) succeeded his brother in 1925. The Eton and Sandhurst educated monarch created
4482-475: The monarchy" to 18 billion baht (US$ 514 million), an increase of 28 per cent for this budget line item since 2014 when it took power. Budget allocations to support the monarchy in FY2020 amount to 29.728 billion baht, or 0.93% of the total budget. *Including regional kingdoms and polity The present set of royal regalia of Thailand (Khrueang Raja Kakudhabhand, Thai : เครื่องราชกกุธภัณฑ์) and
4565-453: The monarchy." The campaign includes television commercials, seminars in schools and prisons, singing contests, and competitions to write stories and films praising the king. "This is not propaganda," Prayut Chan-o-cha , the leader of the junta, said. "The youth must be educated on what the king has done." In its fiscal year (FY) 2016 budget, the ruling military government has increased its expenditure for "upholding, protecting and preserving
4648-578: The name of the kingdom from Siam to Thailand , and aligned it on the side of the Axis powers in the Pacific theatre of World War II . By the end of the war Phibunsongkhram was removed and the young king returned. The Free Thai movement provided resistance to foreign occupation during the war and helped rehabilitate Thailand after the war. After Rama VIII's sudden death from a bullet wound in 1946, Prince Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), aged 19 years old, became
4731-709: The new monarch. In establishing his rule, the king was aided by the efforts of the US government, who used the monarchy as a bulwark against communist gains in Southeast Asia. King Bhumibol was the world's longest reigning monarch at the time of his death in October 2016. He died on 13 October 2016 at the age of 88. Since 2000, the role of the Thai monarchy has been increasingly challenged by scholars, students, media, observers and traditionalists, and as pro-democracy interests began to express their speech. Many deemed that
4814-417: The people of Siam a constitution. The king agreed and in December 1932 the people were granted a constitution , ending 150 years of absolute Chakri rule. From then on the role of the monarch was relegated to that of a symbolic head of state. His powers from then on were exercised by a prime minister and the national assembly . In 1935 Prajadhipok (Rama VII) abdicated the throne, following disagreements with
4897-503: The personal use of the monarch, comprising: These unique objects are always placed on either side of the king's throne or his seat during royal ceremonies. Francis Bowes Sayre, Sr. Francis Bowes Sayre Sr. (April 30, 1885 – March 29, 1972) was a professor at Harvard Law School , High Commissioner of the Philippines , and a son-in-law of President Woodrow Wilson . He was born on April 30, 1885. He graduated from Williams College in 1909 and Harvard Law School in 1912. At
4980-415: The powers I formerly exercised to the people as a whole, but I am not willing to turn them over to any individual or any group to use in an autocratic manner without heeding the voice of the people. The former king had good grounds for complaint. Reaction to the abdication was muted. Stowe wrote that the absolutism of the monarchy had been replaced by that of the People's Party, with the military looming in
5063-469: The royal family, although to emphasise the break with the previous reign the selected five had all fallen out of favour with the previous monarch. The council thus comprised three of the king's uncles, Prince Bhanurangsi, Prince Naris and Prince Damrong Rajanubhab and two of his half-brothers, Prince Kitiyakon (Prince Chantaburi) and Prince Boriphat. Many of the Princes of the Supreme Council felt that it
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#17328011646935146-552: The royal utensils was created mostly during the reign of King Rama I and Rama IV, after the previous set was lost during the sack of Ayutthaya by the Burmese in 1767. The regalia is used mainly during the coronation ceremony of the king at the beginning of every reign. The regalia is presently on display in the Museum of the Grand Palace in Bangkok. The Thai royal utensils (Phra Khattiya Rajuprapoke; พระขัตติยราชูปโภค) are also for
5229-530: The running of the government. Mongkut (Rama IV) marked a significant break in tradition when he spent the first 27 years of his adult life as a Buddhist monk during which time he became proficient in the English language, before ascending the throne. As king, he continued the appointment of officers to his supreme council, the most notable being Somdet Chao Phraya Prayurawongse and Si Suriyawongse , both of whom acted as Chief Ministers for King Mongkut (and
5312-428: The separation between personal and royal assets as he did not want to pay tax, and protested an amendment to diminish the king's consideration of death sentence over the courts. After many losses to Khana Ratsadon, the king seemed to change his stance and expressed support for democracy and blamed Khana Ratsadon for being anti-democratic. However, Phibul later discussed in the House that unelected parliamentary members were
5395-643: The start of his career, Sayre worked for Wilfred Grenfell 's medical mission in Newfoundland , and as an assistant prosecutor in the office of the New York County District Attorney . On November 25, 1913, Sayre married Jessie Woodrow Wilson (1887–1933), the middle daughter of President Woodrow Wilson, in a ceremony at the White House. In 1914 he began work as an assistant to the president of Williams College. He served on
5478-460: The strife and civil disturbances. The royal couple then took refuge at Songkhla , in the far south. The king's withdrawal from the scene was interpreted by the Khana Ratsadorn as a failure to do his duty. By not throwing his full support behind government forces, he had undermined their trust in him. In 1934 the Assembly voted to amend civil and military penal codes. The king vetoed the changes to
5561-515: The teachings of the Buddha. These ideas were briefly replaced in 1279, when King Ram Khamhaeng came to the throne. Ramkhamhaeng departed from tradition and created instead a concept of " paternal rule " ( Thai : พ่อปกครองลูก) , in which the king governs his people as a father would govern his children. This idea is reinforced in the title and name of the king, as he is still known today, Pho Khun Ram Khamhaeng ( Thai : พ่อขุนรามคำแหง) meaning 'Father Ruler Ram Khamhaeng'. This lasted briefly. By
5644-415: The throne and moved the capital from the Thonburi side to the Bangkok side of the Chao Phraya River . There he established the House of Chakri , the current ruling dynasty of Thailand. (This first reign was later designated as that of Rama I in the list of Rama Kings of Thailand .) He also established the office of Supreme Patriarch as the head of the Sangha , the order of Buddhist monks . During
5727-496: The throne, as his brothers all died within a relatively short period. In 1925, King Vajiravudh himself died at the age of 44. Prajadhipok became absolute monarch at only thirty-two. He was crowned King of Siam on 25 February 1926. Relatively unprepared for his new responsibilities, Prajadhipok was nevertheless intelligent, diplomatic in his dealings with others, modest, and eager to learn. However, he had inherited serious political and economic problems from his predecessor. The budget
5810-425: The wings as the ultimate arbiter of power. Prajadhipok spent the rest of his life with Queen Rambhai Barni in England. At the time of abdication, the couple lived at Knowle House, in Surrey , just outside London. However, this house was not suitable considering his health, so they moved to a smaller house in Virginia Water (still in Surrey), but with more space. The house was named "Hangmoor", but wishing to give it
5893-492: Was a conservative and royalist nobleman. The compromise broke down quickly. He did not contest when his interpretation of Pridi's economic plan, which also aim on land reform and seizure of royal land, was released with his signature. The king played a role in the coup d'état of April 1933 , where the House was ordered to close by the prime minister. He signed an order to execute Khana Ratsadon leaders. But Khana Ratsadon's military wing leader Phraya Phahon Phonphayuhasena ousted
5976-414: Was a simple affair attended by just Queen Ramphai and a handful of close relatives. Queen Ramphaiphanni stayed at Compton House for a further eight years before she returned to Thailand in 1949, bringing the king's ashes back with her. Historian David K. Wyatt writes that Prajadhipok was "a hard-working, effective executor" who was "intellectually equal to the demands of his office", and whose main failing
6059-470: Was applied to the status of the leader. Brahmins took charge in the royal coronation . The king was treated as a reincarnation of Hindu gods . Ayutthaya historical documents show the official titles of the kings in great variation: Indra , Shiva and Vishnu , or Rama . Seemingly, Rama was the most popular, as in "Ramathibodhi". However, Buddhist influence was also evident, as many times the king's title and "unofficial" name "Dhammaraja", an abbreviation of
6142-412: Was born on 8 November 1893 in Bangkok , Siam (now Thailand) to King Chulalongkorn and Queen Saovabha Phongsri . Prince Prajadhipok was the youngest of nine children born to the couple. Overall he was the king's second-youngest child (of a total of 77), and the 33rd and youngest of Chulalongkorn's sons. Unlikely to succeed to the throne, Prince Prajadhipok chose to pursue a military career. Like many of
6225-694: Was by then commissioned in both the British Army and the Royal Siamese Army. With the outbreak of the First World War and the declaration of Siamese neutrality, King Vajiravudh ordered his younger brother to resign his British commission and return to Siam immediately, a great embarrassment to the prince, who wanted to serve with his men on the Western front. Once home, Prajadhipok became a high-ranking military official in Siam. In 1917 he
6308-542: Was heavily in deficit, and the royal financial accounts were in serious disorder. The entire world was in the throes of the Great Depression . In an institutional innovation intended to restore confidence in the monarchy and government, Prajadhipok, in what was virtually his first act as king, announced the creation of the Supreme Council of the State of Siam . This council was made up of five experienced members of
6391-437: Was held in sterling. The Minister of Finance kept Siam on the gold standard by linking the currency to the US dollar, but debate about this policy raged within the government into 1932. One impact of this policy was that Siam's rice exports became more expensive than competitor exporters, negatively impacting revenue. In mid-October 1931 the king returned from a trip to Canada and the US and ordered Prince Devawongse Varoprakar ,
6474-402: Was obtained regarding local self-government in surrounding countries, and proposals to allow certain municipalities to raise local taxes and manage their own budgets were drawn up. The fact that the public was not sufficiently educated to make the scheme work militated against the success of this administrative venture. Nevertheless, the idea of teaching the Siamese the concept of democracy through
6557-522: Was ordained temporarily as a monk, as was customary for most Buddhist Siamese men. In August 1918 Prince Prajadhipok married his childhood friend and cousin Rambai Barni , a descendant of King Mongkut (Prajadhipok's grandfather) and his Royal Consort Piam . They were married at Sukhothai Palace which was a wedding gift to the couple from Queen Saovabha . After the war in Europe ended, he attended
6640-508: Was pressured to relinquish control of its old tributaries of Laos and northern Malaya to Western powers, Siam itself narrowly avoided being colonized. In 1905, 37 years after his coronation, Chulalongkorn ended slavery with the Slave Abolition Act. In 1867 slaves accounted for one-third of the Siamese population. His son, Vajiravudh (Rama VI), ascended to the throne in 1910 and continued his father's zeal for reform to bring
6723-439: Was ready for representative government, to which Prajadhipok answered "my personal opinion is an emphatic NO". However, the king did see a possibility to introduce reform at the local level as the "next step in our educational move towards democracy". In 1926 he began moves to develop the concept of prachaphiban , or "municipality", which had emerged late in the fifth reign as a law regarding public health and sanitation. Information
6806-475: Was their duty to make amends for the mistakes of the previous reign, but their acts were not generally appreciated, for the government failed to communicate to the public the purpose of the policies they pursued to rectify Vajiravudh's extreme financial extravagances. Gradually these princes arrogated power to themselves, monopolising all the main ministerial positions and appointing their sons and brothers to both administrative and military posts. By April 1926 almost
6889-407: Was to underestimate the Bangkok elite's growing nationalism, and that "[a]s late as his death in exile, many would have agreed with his judgement that a move towards democracy in 1932 was premature." The idea that the 1932 revolution was premature is echoed in a common royalist sentiment that proliferated as the Thai monarchy regained status over ensuing decades. In this view, Prajadhipok is credited as
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