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60-453: The district was part of Dusit district prior to 1966, and part of Phaya Thai District from 1966 to 1989, when it was elevated to its own district. The name is inherited from Ratchathewi Intersection , which is the intersection of Phetchaburi Road and Phaya Thai Road . The name originally comes from a royal consort to King Chulalongkorn , Phra Nangchao Sukumalmarsri Phra Ratchathewi . The term Phra Rachathewi (also spelled Phra Rajadevi)

120-671: A German take-over of Siam. Wemyss and the King also corresponded about Kaiser Wilhelm II 's Asian aggression, on atrocities involving the Kaiser's army in Belgium (the Rape of Belgium ) and the killing of British civilians by naval bombardment during the raid on Scarborough, Hartlepool and Whitby . In 1921, Rama VI wrote to Wemyss that in avoiding the "German militaristic spirit . . . Thai people had been protected as free minds". Vajiravudh introduced

180-481: A Siamese government protectorate. Vajiravudh saw the war as an opportunity to create and promote Siamese nationalism. He changed the Flag of Siam from the elephant banner to the tricolor banner. King Vajiravudh is considered by some writers to be the father of Thai nationalism , which was later built upon by Field Marshal Phibunsongkhram and Sarit Thanarat . The alternative view is that the idea of nationalism by Rama VI

240-501: A financial crisis as the Chinese-Siamese Bank went bankrupt. In 1914, Vajiravudh, having determined that the act providing for the invocation of martial law , first promulgated by his father in 1907, was not consistent with modern laws of war nor convenient for the preservation of the external or internal security of the state, changed to the modern form that, with minor amendments, continues in force. Also in 1914,

300-459: A luxurious Western-style life, building Sanam Chan Palace and Lumphini Park , and owning expensive horses from Australia, while preaching austerity and nationalism to his subjects. The counter-argument is that the assertions were political and his developments were for the good of the state, in terms of impressing visiting dignitaries, or developing assets for the nation. Rama VI donated Lumphini Park, originally an exhibition ground on royal land, to

360-519: A military-exemptation tax ( Thai : เงินรัชชูปการ ) nationwide including on the royal members. As the need for huge capital increased, a new bank, later known as the " Government Savings Bank ", was founded in 1923. Though the Siamese forces that joined the march at Versailles returned triumphant in 1919, the worldwide economic problems caused by World War I were serious. In the same year, drought hit Siam and rice shortages ensued. The government forbade

420-420: A roundabout ( traffic circle ). Ratchathewi roundabout had a landmark, a large fountain and the roses were planted around for beauty, especially at night with spotlight. This makes the roundabout more beautiful. In that era, this neighbourhood was considered to be a busy and bustling place. It was surrounded by the houses of the wealthy and many nobles. Later in the 1964, the roundabout was demolished to rebuild

480-486: A son, the throne would go to him. If not, the throne would pass to his surviving brother, Prince Prajadhipok of Sukhothai. He barred Princess Inthrasaksachi from being interred with him in the future and instead granted that right to Princess Suvadhana. Vajiravudh also barred his uncle, Prince Damrong, from the government. On the night of 25 November, Princess Suvadhana gave birth to a princess only two hours before Vajiravudh's death. Vajiravudh glimpsed his sole daughter for

540-448: Is " The Honour of Tiger Soldier  [ th ] " ( Thai : เกียรติศักดิ์ทหารเสือ ) based on ancient French chivalric rhyme "Mon âme à Dieu, Ma vie au Roi, Mon cœur aux Dames, L'honneur pour moi", and might also be influenced by Alexandre Dumas 's The Three Musketeers . King Vajiravudh also composed nonfiction such as “The War of Polish Succession”, which he wrote while he was Crown Prince (see also external links below). The king

600-409: Is a large artificial lake in the center of Bangkok. Bueng Makkasan (บึงมักกะสัน) is 2.4 km long, 60 m wide and 15 m deep. It is utilized for inner Bangkok flood prevention. Now the lake is covered by the system of expressway interconnections. Ratchathewi Intersection Ratchathewi Intersection ( Thai : แยกราชเทวี ) is a four-way intersection of Phaya Thai and Phetchaburi roads in

660-560: Is a royal rank for royal consorts. The district is sub-divided into four sub-district ( khwaeng ). Victory Monument was built by Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram to honour the 59 soldiers who died in the French-Thai War . The opening ceremony was held on 24 June 1942. It was built to the shape of five bayonets joined together and five statues around its base representing army , navy , air force , police , and civilian bureaucracy. There are 809 names inscribed below

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720-689: Is absorbing fun and well-written. A copy of the play was given as a present to the Armstrong family in Cragside House, Rothbury , where it remains in the library. On a trip to the English Lake District , Vajiravudh directed the performance of a play at the Stonehenge-like setting of Castlerigg Stone Circle , in the mountains near Keswick . In 1914 King Vajiravudh published in a Thai newspaper an article titled "Jews of

780-697: Is also used as a new district name. Vajiravudh Vajiravudh (1 January 1881 – 26 November 1925) was the sixth king of Siam from the Chakri dynasty , titled Rama VI . He reigned from 1910 until his death in 1925. King Vajiravudh is best known for his efforts to create and promote Siamese nationalism . His reign was characterized by Siam's movement further towards democracy and minimal participation in World War I . He had keen interests in Siamese history, archaeology, and literature, as well as economics, politics and world affairs, and founded

840-646: Is among the highlight exhibits and is located in a modern Chumbhot-Pantip gallery building. Makkasan Railway Station is a major station for the Airport Rail Link to Suvarnabhumi Airport . The station was the City Air Terminal with check in facility and non-stop train to the airport, although this has no longer been the case since 2014. The Makkasan station is also an interchange to MRT Phetchaburi station. Located in Ratchathewi district

900-492: Is their God. Life itself is of little value compared with the leanest bank account." Vajiravudh had been a king without a queen for about ten years. In 1920, he met Her Serene Highness Princess Varnvimol at his theatre at Phayathai Palace . They were engaged and Princess Vanbimol was elevated to Princess Vallabhadevi . However, four months later in 1921, Vajiravudh nullified the engagement and pursued Princess Vallabha's sister, Princess Lakshamilavan , whom he engaged. However,

960-545: The Boy Scouts . On 28 November 1911 Vajiravudh's second and formal coronation was held with visiting royals from Europe and Japan as guests, a first for Siam, which festivities took 13 days. Later that year, the first airplane was flown in Siam. The early years of Vajiravudh's administration were largely dominated by his two uncles, Prince Damrong and Prince Devawongse , both of them Chulalongkorn's right-hand men. However,

1020-937: The Royal Military College, Sandhurst and was commissioned as a captain in the Durham Light Infantry , which he served with for three months of exercises in the south of England upon graduation. He studied law and history at Christ Church, Oxford in 1899, where, coming from a royal household, he was a member of the exclusive Bullingdon Club . However, he suffered from appendicitis , which barred him from graduating in 1901. He visited other European countries while he lived in England, including Belgium where he inspected Blegny fort. He went to Berlin in May 1902 and Copenhagen in September 1902. He attended

1080-494: The Spanish Flu . In 1917, the price of silver rose and exceeded the face value of silver coins. The coins were then melted down and sold. The government solved this by changing the pure silver coin to alloy. Vajiravudh eventually forbade exports of Siamese coins. In 1918, the usage of 1-baht coins was nullified and 1-baht banknotes were introduced. Coins were recalled and kept as a national reserve. In 1919, Vajuravudh imposed

1140-477: The Wild Tiger Corps [ เสือป่า ]) a para-military corp outside of the established military hierarchy. Initially a ceremonial guard, it became a military force of 4,000 within its first year and consumed much of the King's time and energy. It became the source of deep dissatisfaction between the army and the King. A branch for children was also established known as ( ลูกเสือ Tiger Cubs ) which became

1200-771: The 15 May 1902 enthronement ceremonies for King Alfonso XIII of Spain in Madrid. On behalf of his father, King Chulalongkorn, he attended the coronation of King Edward VII on 9 August 1902. Crown Prince Vajiravudh left England in October 1902 and returned to Siam in January 1903, traveling via US and Japan. In 1904, he became a temporary monk in accordance with Siamese tradition. In 1907, his father Chulalongkorn travelled to Europe to seek treatment for his kidney disease, and Chulalongkorn made Vajiravudh Regent of Siam . One of Crown Prince Vajiravudh's accomplishments during this regency

1260-548: The 1909 incident. The coup was planned for 1 April—the traditional Siamese New Year's Day . They planned to elevate one of Vajiravudh's half brothers, Prince Raphi Phatthanasak , to be the first president of Siam. They believed that, if the absolute monarchy were removed, Siam would achieve modernization as in Japan under Emperor Taishō . The coup leaders accused the king of devoting his time to writing and acting in theatrical plays with his companions. They also accused him of living

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1320-588: The Bangkok (Rattanakosin) era. His own reign was dubbed as "Rama VI". (See Rama (Kings of Thailand) ) As a homage to his great, great, great-grandfather, Tao Sên-pom, King Vajiravudh published a fictional play in Thai, based on the Prince and designed for performance with musical accompaniment in 1913. Prince Sên-pom was the father of Chao Praya Chakri, Rama I . The drama centres on a tale of Siamese courtly romance. It

1380-770: The Head of the Railway Department. The king continued his father's rice varieties competition. He also continued the overall royal encouragement of development of rice varieties , founding the Rangsit Rice Experiment Station in 1916 (now called Pathum Thani Rice Research Center and run by the Ministry of Agriculture). In 1917, Vajiravudh established the Nakorn Sri Thammarat Regiment as his personal guard. In

1440-603: The Orient" ( Thai : ยิวแห่งบูรพาทิศ ).Vajiravudh explicitly adopted Western antisemitic tropes and applied them to Chinese in Siam. The essay was written in the context of a recent strike by Chinese merchants and workers which had paralyzed Bangkok, and may also have been the product of Vajiravudh's exposure to European anti-Semitism . The article described Chinese immigrants in Thailand as having excessive "racial loyalty and astuteness in financial matters." The king wrote, "Money

1500-582: The area known as Pratu Nam . The construction of Baiyoke Tower was finished in 1987 and remained the tallest until 1993. Baiyoke Tower II was finished in late 1997 and opened to public January 1998. Both buildings are mostly utilized as hotels Baiyoke Suite (in tower I) and Baiyoke Sky (tower II) with lower floors as commercial shops. Suan Pakkad Palace is a museum exhibiting Thai antiques, from ancient to recent ones. The museum compound contains eight traditional wooden Thai houses with exhibits inside. The old Ban Chiang pottery dates back to 4,000 years ago

1560-430: The area of Thung Phaya Thai , Thanon Phaya Thai and Thanon Phetchaburi sub-districts, Ratchathewi district, downtown Bangkok . It's the location of Ratchathewi station close to important intersections including Pratunam , Pathum Wan , Phaya Thai, Uruphong and Victory Monument . Its name means Royal Consort in honour of Sukhumala Marasri , who was one of four consorts of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). When she

1620-573: The construction of Don Mueang Airport began. In the same year the Siamese government borrowed from the Federated Malay States to extend railways to the south. In 1915, Vajiravudh himself visited the southern provinces to oversee railway construction. The Bangkok railway station at Hua Lamphong was then established as a center of Siamese railroads. Prince Damrong eventually left the Ministry of Interior in 1915. In 1916, Vajiravudh appointed his half-brother, Prince of Kamphang Phet , as

1680-440: The country's first university, Chulalongkorn University . Vajiravudh was born on 1 January 1881 to Chulalongkorn and one of his four queens and half sister Saovabha Phongsri . In 1888, upon coming of age, Vajiravudh received the title Kromma Khun Debdvaravati (Prince of Ayutthaya). Also in 1888, Vajiravudh began suffering from a severe illness and was brought to Ko Sichang by his father to recover. Prince Vajiravudh

1740-759: The end of the war. Participation in the war allowed Siam to later negotiate with the Western powers as a partner, albeit a junior one. Although the Siamese pilots who trained in France did not see combat because the war ended, Siam's participation in the First World war led to the founding of the Royal Thai Airforce and the airborne postal service. The Royal Siamese Transport Corps (Ror Yor) and Medical Corps did see front line action, but not in combat. Nineteen soldiers died, some in accidents, but mainly from

1800-614: The export of rice, the main Siamese export since the Bowring Treaty . Queen Mother Saovabha , Vajiravudh's mother, died in 1919. Siamese participation in World War I opened the way to reconciliation, first with the United States in 1920, then to redress the unequal treaties imposed by Western powers in the 19th century. In spite of the financial crisis, railway constructions continued. The railway reached Narathiwat and

1860-498: The first Siamese Field Marshal . On 11 November 1910, Vajiravudh underwent a provisional coronation ceremony , with a more lavish one planned for after the funerary rites of his father were complete. His first act following his accession to the throne was to build the Royal Pages College, subsequently renamed Vajiravudh College by King Prajadhipok to honour his brother. It was built as an all-boy's boarding school in

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1920-590: The future of our state may lay upon them". Later he also raised the Civil Servant School to "Chulalongkorn Academy for Civil Officials", then Chulalongkorn University . Both Vajiravudh College and Chulalongkorn University still benefit from the funds that King Vajiravudh set aside for the use of the two elite institutions. He also improved Siamese healthcare systems and set up some of the earliest public hospitals in Siam, Vajira Hospital in 1912 and Chulalongkorn Hospital in 1914. In 1911, he established

1980-539: The governance of Pattani Province, emphasizing local freedom and tax measures. King Vajiravudh was one of Thailand's most highly renowned artists, writing modern novels, short stories, newspaper articles, poems, plays, and journals. He translated many of English literature and French literature into Thai, Among his works were translations of three Shakespeare plays: The Merchant of Venice , As You Like It , and Romeo and Juliet . He wrote many other pieces promoting Thai nationalism , one of his nationalistic works

2040-468: The intendants of monthons in the region—thus concentrating local administrative powers in his hands—much to the dismay of Prince Damrong. Radicals expected a new constitution upon the coronation of Vajiravudh. However, no constitution was forthcoming. In 1911, the Wuchang Uprising that led to the fall of Qing dynasty prompted Siamese radicals to act. So, for the first time in Siam, an attempt

2100-405: The intersection to alleviate traffic jams. The fountain was rebuilt into four fountains at the four corners of the intersection as in modern times. In the 1970s, Ratchathewi intersection became the shopping district of Bangkok. It's the center of many leading cinemas such as Athens, Mackenna, Hollywood, President, Paramount, Metro, Indra etc, including many beauty parlors . In 1975, an overpass

2160-562: The king disagreed with Prince Damrong, Minister of Interior, over Damrong's negotiation of the Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909 that ceded four sultanates to the British Empire. Vajiravudh reformed his father's monthon system by creating the "paks" ( Thai : ภาค ) or "regions" over the administrative monthons. Each pak was governed by an Uparaja ( viceroy ) directly responsible to the king. The Uparaja presided over

2220-410: The king was homosexual and that this would have prevented him from accession if the law of succession had not been reformed. Anderson was the first modern scholar to break the taboo and write about the king's personal preferences. In 1924, Vajiravudh promulgated his Law of Succession, which has since become the code for Chakri dynasty successions. According to the law, the throne would be passed to

2280-421: The king's sons and grandsons. However, in the case of Vajiravudh who had no sons, the throne would pass to his eldest "true" or full brother, that is, a brother who shared both the same father and mother, Queen Saovabha Phongsri . The law gave priority to the descendants of princes born to Queen Saovabha, then to Queen Savang Vadhana , and then to Queen Sukhumala Marasri . The law also forbade princes whose mother

2340-508: The marriage was never held and the couple then separated. Princess Vallabha Devi was house-arrested in the Grand Palace from then on. In 1921, Vajiravudh married Prueang Sucharitakul , who was a daughter of Lord Suthammamontri and elevated her to Lady Sucharitsuda. He then married Sucharitsuda's sister, Prabai Sucharitakul , with the title of Lady Indrani. In 1922, Lady Indrani was elevated to Princess and Queen Indrasakdisachi. However,

2400-537: The newly created provinces was reported, Rama VI created a viceroy system. Viceroys, appointed directly by the king, were sent to supervise provincial governors and local officials. In 1912, Vajiravudh announced the change in the solar calendar era from the Rattanakosin Era (R.S.) designated by Chulalongkorn to the Buddhist Era with the year beginning 1 April 2455 BE (1912 CE). In 1913, Siam faced

2460-408: The plotters, saying that what they did was for the sake of the kingdom. Rama VI inherited his father's plan of building a modern nation although he was more skeptical of outside methods. Disagreements occurred incessantly with "old aristocrats", many of whom were his relatives such as the celebrated Prince Damrong , his uncle, who took charge of the Ministry of Interior. As more and more corruption in

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2520-622: The practice of using the name Rama for the Chakri kings in deference to the dynasty and following western practice, being then himself Rama VI. Other than 140,000 Vietnamese colonial troops and workers drafted by the French , Siamese troops were the only Southeast Asians in the European theatre of World War I. However, the Siamese troops did not see much action, as they arrived in Europe towards

2580-428: The price of rice soared. The government faced public criticism due to its tepid response. The major cause of the problem was the hoarding of rice. Chinese millers and rice merchants bought huge amounts of rice from farmers for export to Singapore, the largest rice market in the region. Price speculation was rampant. The government imposed a ban on rice exports. At the same time, public servants asked for higher wages due to

2640-460: The public in 1925 at his expense. The coup plan was leaked. Captain Yut Kongyu, who was selected as the assassin by lottery , told Mom Chao Prawatpan, and then Prince Chakrabongse , of the intended coup. Prince Chakrabongse arrested all the conspirators. Their sentences were severe, ranging from execution to long-term imprisonment. However, Vajiravudh rescinded the punishments and released

2700-479: The queen suffered two miscarriages. In 1924, Vajiravudh married Krueakaew Abhaiwongse, later renamed Suvadhana , a daughter of Lord Aphaiphubet. Queen Indrasakdisachi was then demoted to Princess Consort in 1925. Vajiravudh had only one child, a daughter with Suvadhana , Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda ( Thai : เพชรรัตนราชสุดา ; 1925–2011). In his influential book Imagined Communities , Anglo-Irish political scientist and historian Benedict Anderson speculated that

2760-536: The rising cost of living. The public, mainly the urban "middle-class", and Chinese traders became more and more unhappy with the government. On 22 July 1917 Vajiravudh declared war on Germany and Austria-Hungary. He aligned Siam with the Allied Powers and expelled German and Austrian officials from the Railway Department and Siam Commercial Bank. He also put the properties of the Central Powers under

2820-608: The same tradition as English public schools such as Eton and Harrow . The school was built instead of a royal monastery, formerly a custom of Thai kings, as King Vajiravudh deemed that there were already too many temples in Bangkok. In his own hand written letter, King Vajiravudh wrote that "In the Royal Pages College, what I want is not so much to turn out model boys, all of the same standard, all brilliant scholars with thousands of marks each, as to turn out efficient young men— young men who will be physically and morally clean, and who will be looking forward keenly to take up whatever burden

2880-542: The same year Vajiravudh founded Chulalongkorn University, the first university in Siam, named in honor of his father. In 1918, Vajiravudh founded the Dusit Thani near Dusit Palace as an experimental site for democracy. The democratic institutions were imitated including elections, parliament, and the press. Vajiravudh himself acted as one of the citizens of Dusit Thani, yet the city was criticized by others as another of Vajiravudh's theatrical conceits. During 1918–1919

2940-499: The statues, including the losses from World War II and the Korean War . The BTS skytrain station is nearby, and it used to be a major bus hub (until the 2016 when the bus hub was relocated to Mo Chit 2 Bus Station, platform area 3). Baiyoke Tower (151 meters high, 43 floors) and Baiyoke Tower II (304 m, 85 fl) are both former tallest buildings in Bangkok that cannot be missed from the skyline. They are located in proximity in

3000-477: Was 50 years old, she donated her own money to build a bridge across a Khlong Pra Chae Chin (คลองประแจจีน; Pra Chae Chin canal). The King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) was presided over the opening ceremony on May 22, 1911 and was given the official name "Phra Ratchathewi Bridge " (สะพานพระราชเทวี) but generally called by short "Ratchathewi Bridge " (สะพานราชเทวี). Later, when the need to expand the traffic surface of Phetchaburi road. Bridge and canal were demolished to create

3060-562: Was a later political construct. Prince Chula Chakrabongse classified him as a liberal. Vajiravudh wrote a letter (held in the Gloucestershire Archives , England) to his friend Maynard Colchester Wemyss setting out his reasons for going to war, dated 18 September 1917. Wemyss was guardian to King Bhumipol's father and two of his brothers. Vajiravudh described the presence of Imperial German spy activity in Bangkok, allying with business groups for economic arrangements after

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3120-439: Was among those writers who introduced mysteries and detective stories to the Thai reading public. He translated Agatha Christie 's Hercule Poirot novels into Thai, and created the character " Nai Thong-In " ( Thai : นักสืบนายทองอิน ) as a Siamese consulting detective, using Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 's Sherlock Holmes and Edgar Allan Poe 's Dupin as an archetypes. He translated Sax Rohmer 's The Golden Scorpion . The king

3180-468: Was constructed, completed in 1979 with the dozens of crushed rock trucks parked on the bridge to test the strength. It's considered as the first overpass crossing intersection of Bangkok. In January 2025, it was demolished to make way for the construction of the MRT Orange Line . In 1989, when Bangkok was re-zoning. Ratchathewi area has been separated from Phaya Thai district. "Ratchathewi"

3240-663: Was expanded north and east. The construction of the Rama VI Bridge carrying the railway over the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok began in 1922 and the same year the railway reached Chiang Mai . However, the treasury was in such straits that a large loan from Britain was negotiated. Also in 1922, an insurgency occurred in Pattani over new taxation policies. It was readily suppressed by the Nakorn Sri Thammarat Regiment. In 1923, Vajiravudh announced his six principles in

3300-498: Was first educated in the royal palace in Thai and English. His full siblings were Bahurada Manimaya , Tribejrutama Dhamrong , Chakrabongse Bhuvanath , Siriraj Kakudhabhand , Asdang Dejavudh , Chudadhuj Dharadilok and Prajadhipok , who succeeded him as King Rama VII. In 1895, his half-brother Crown Prince Vajirunhis died and Vajiravudh was appointed the new Crown Prince of Siam . In 1898, he continued his education in Britain at

3360-508: Was foreign from the throne. This referred to his brother, Prince Chakrabongse, who had married a Russian woman. His son, Prince Chula Chakrabongse, was therefore barred from the throne. In 1924, King Vajiravudh, accompanied by Suvadhana, visited the Federated Malay States. The reconciliation with European powers on unequal treaties progressed gradually, while the financial crisis was taking a great toll on Siam as another loan

3420-429: Was his supervision of the construction of the equestrian statue of King Chulalongkorn . Chulalongkorn died on 23 October 1910, and Vajiravudh succeeded his father as king of Siam. Even before his coronation, Vajiravudh initiated several reforms. He organized Siam's defence and established military academies. He created the rank of "general" for the first time in Siam, with his uncle, Prince Bhanurangsi Savangwongse as

3480-505: Was made to overthrow the monarchy and establish democracy. The immediate cause, however, occurred even before Vajiravudh's coronation. In 1909, Crown Prince Vajiravudh ordered a Thai Royal Military Academy student who had had an argument with one of Vajiravudh's pages to be caned. Academy alumni were further provoked by Vajiravudh's creation of the Wild Tiger Corps , seen by the army as a threat to their prerogatives. The plotters were relatively young army and naval officers, students during

3540-417: Was taken from Britain and the firing of numerous government officials occurred. In 1925 Vajiravudh had to dissolve his Nakorn Sri Thammarat Regiment and merged provinces into larger units to lower maintenance costs. In November 1925, it was announced that Vajiravudh fell ill. Princess Consort Suvadhana was then pregnant. Vajiravudh then announced his succession instructions: if Princess Suvadhana gave birth to

3600-655: Was well-versed in Sanskrit and Hindu literature, including the Ramayana and the Mahabharata epics. He translated many stories from the two epics into Thai and also wrote plays inspired by Hindu literature. He was influenced by Rama , the incarnation of Lord Vishnu and hero of the Ramayana epic, to the extent that he systemized and promoted the use of the name Rama as the (English) reign names of all Thai kings of

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