Heartfelt Memories of His Majesty King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), Part 2 of 2

Dr. Walai Isarankura Na Ayudhaya served as an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at Chulalongkorn University for 35 years. The professor now reflects on some of King Rama V’s reformations, such as establishing the nation’s first railway services. “It’s regarded as a grand station. His Majesty had to go and study the city plans to make it look like those in countries of those imperialists. And he did it beautifully. It’s still there.” The King enlisted technical experts and general advisers from Europe and America as part of his modernization initiative. Recognizing the valuable insights to be gained from the West, he became the pioneering monarch to send proficient Thai youths overseas for both general education and specialized training.

King Rama V was not only a monarch, he also played a role in shaping fashion trends in Thailand. “They also dressed beautifully. It was with our intelligence or creativity that we preserved the Thai culture, but at the same time we also had Western style.” Women wore a combination of traditional Thai pants, referred to as “chong kraben,” paired with European-style blouses or costumes. “The road, train, electricity, post office – it was a transformation, transformations that make people better, make the nation better, all done in order to lift us up to a similar level as foreign countries.

Frankly speaking, we survived colonialism. His Majesty’s visits to foreign countries were one of the essential strategies. This is really important. It shows that we were good and dignified, and it also shows our friendliness.” “Therefore, His Majesty visited Russia, and at the same time, we know that His Majesty spoke frankly to the Tsar, as a friend, about the oppression from England and France. Until the next day, as we can see in the historical picture which King Rama V took with the Crown Prince Tsar Nicholas, together. This picture made the French and British empires yield and stop. That picture was very majestic, you see. You will see the aura emitting from the two kings as equals.”