PM leads national ceremonies honouring ‘great moderniser’, King Chulalongkorn

King Chulalongkorn was born in 1853 to King Mongkut and Queen Debsirindra. He received a traditional Thai education, but also studied English and Western subjects. He was a keen observer of the world around him and was determined to modernize Siam to avoid the fate of Western colonization that befell Thailand’s neighbours.

King Chulalongkorn ascended the throne at the age of 15. Among his most notable achievements was the abolition of slavery in Siam. To avoid social unrest, he did this gradually over a period of several decades.

He also reformed the government bureaucracy, established a modern education system, and built a network of roads and railways.

King Chulalongkorn died on October 23, 1910, at the age of 57. He was succeeded by his son, King Vajiravudh.