Thailand: Statue of King Rama V, Palace of Rama V (King Chulalongkorn 1868 - 1910), Ko Sichang, Chonburi Province

Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramintharamaha Chulalongkorn Phra Chunla Chom Klao Chao Yu Hua, or Rama V (20 September 1853 – 23 October 1910) was the fifth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri. He is considered one of the greatest kings of Siam. His reign was characterized by the modernization of Siam, immense government and social reforms, and territorial cessions to the British Empire and French Indochina.

As Siam was threatened by Western expansionism, Chulalongkorn, through his policies and acts, managed to save Siam from being colonized. All his reforms were dedicated to Siam’s insurance of survival in the midst of Western colonialism, so that Chulalongkorn earned the epithet Phra Piya Maharat - The Great Beloved King.

The Palace of Rama V, known locally as Phra Chutathut Ratchasathan was built in the 19th century. King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) used the palace as a summertime retreat from Bangkok's stiffling heat.

The original palace, the Vimanmek Palace, stood here until it was moved in 1901, piece by piece, to Dusit Park in Bangkok. The golden teak palace was designed by King Chulalongkorn.

Copyright:

CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

David Henley

Credit:

Pictures From Asia