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Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke
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Posthumously; Poraminthara Mahachakri Boromanat, Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke the Great (20 March, 1736 - 7 September, 1809), conventionally as Rama I. He was the founder and the first monarch of the current-ruling Chakri dynasty of Siam (now Thailand) in 1782, after subjugating a rebellion against King Taksin of Thonburi. He was also celebrated as the founder of Rattanakosin (now Bangkok) as the new capital of the reunited kingdom.
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Posthumously; Poraminthara Mahachakri Boromanat, Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke the Great (20 March, 1736 - 7 September, 1809), conventionally as Rama I. He was the founder and the first monarch of the current-ruling Chakri dynasty of Siam (now Thailand) in 1782, after subjugating a rebellion against King Taksin of Thonburi. He was also celebrated as the founder of Rattanakosin (now Bangkok) as the new capital of the reunited kingdom. Rama I was born in the Kingdom of Ayutthaya and had served King Taksin in wars with Burmese Konbaung dynasty and helped him in the reunification of Siam. During this time he emerged as Siam's most powerful military leader. In 1782, he took control of Siam and crowned himself as the monarch.
The most renowned event in his reign was the Burmese-Siamese War of 1785, which was the last major Burmese assault on Siam. Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke was also the first Somdet Chao Phraya, the highest rank the nobility could attain, equaled to that of royalty.
Early life
An Ayutthayan aristocrat
Thong Duang was born in 1736 in the reign of King Boromakot of Ayutthaya. His father was Thong Dee (later raised as Somdet Phra Prathom Borom Maha Rajchanok – the grand primordial father) who was "Phra Aksara Sundhornsat" (Royal Secretary of northern Siam, Keeper of the Royal Seal). Aksara Sundhornsat was also a descendant of Kosa Pan, the leader of King Narai's embassy to the French court, and was of Mon descent, His mother, Daoreung, was part-Chinese. Thong Duang had six other siblings.
Thong Dung at a young age entered the Royal Palace as one of the royal pages of King Uthumporn, where he met his childhood friend Taksin. In 1757, aged 21, he became a monk temporarily, in accordance with Siamese custom. In 1760, he married Nak, daughter of a town patron in Samut Sakorn. He was later appointed the Luang Yokbat (Governor of) Ratchaburi by King Ekatat in 1758.
Service under Taksin
On the eve of the fall of Ayutthaya, Phraya Wachira Prakarn (later King Taksin) had foreseen that the fall of the city was certain. Wachira Prakarn decided to break the siege of the city of Ayutthaya by the Burmese army and established a new base outside. Phraya Ratchaburi also joined this venture. In 1767, Ayutthaya under King Ekatat fell to Burmese invaders, the city was completely destroyed; burned and looted. Local warlords rose up to established their supremacy in the absence of a central authority.
Despite the fall, Taksin and his men in the same year managed to capture Chantaburi and Trat. During this time Phraya Ratchaburi became one of Taksin's six ministers and together with Phraya Pichai were they were regarded by Taksin as his two most valuable generals.
Military leader
Swiftly Taksin made a strategic plan and under it recaptured Ayutthaya quickly in one year. In 1768 Taksin crowned himself and founded the Kingdom of Thonburi on the west bank of the mouth of the Chao Phraya river, using Thonburi as a new capital. Under the new Thonburi regime, Thong Duang was appointed Phra Raja Warindra (Royal Police) and after subjugating the warlord of Pimai with his brother Maha Montri (later Maha Sura Singhanat) he was raised to Phraya Abhaya Ronarit.
After the campaign to subdue the lord of Fang in 1769, Abhaya Ronarit was raised to Phraya Yommaraj and in the next year became Chao Phraya Maha Chakri – the Samuha Nayok (Prime Minister). Maha Chakri joined the Burmese wars and went on to subjugate Cambodia. His brother, Phraya Anuchit Raja (previously Maha Montri), accompanied him in various campaigns. In 1776, he conquered Khmer Pa Dong (around modern Surin). He was assigned the task of conquering Laotian kingdoms in 1778 and all the three kingdoms (Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Champasak) fell to the Siamese in the same year. He was eventually raised to Somdet Chao Phraya Maha Kshatriyaseuk, the first Somdet Chao Phraya.
Ascension as King
In 1781, Rama I, went on the campaigns against Cambodia, only to return prematurely due to the instability of Thonburi, and the rebellion of Phraya San. This rebellion was based on the uncertainty of Taksin's sanity. He returned to Thonburi in 1782, he then defeated the Phraya San rebellion with his forces and decided to executed Taksin. He then seized power and made himself King, establishing the Chakri Dynasty, which would continue to rule Thailand to this day.
Maha Kshatriyaseuk crowned himself on the 6 April 1782. Without naming himself (he was only referred to as King or His Majesty), he was later given his name as Phrabat Somdet Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke or Rama I or the First Reign much later by his descendants . Rama I decided to move the capital of Siam to the east bank of the Chao Phraya river for a substantial number of reasons; These included the better strategic positions of the area and to keep the royal legitimacy out of question by beginning on a clean slate. He decided to name his new capital "Rattanakosin" (“Keeping place of the [Emerald] Buddha”). Rama I also raised various members of his family to royalty. He appointed his brother Surasi (Anuchit Raja) as the “Front Palace” (conventional title of the heir) and his nephew Thong In as “Rear Palace”. His consort, Nak, was raised to Queen Amarindra.
Foreign Policy and War
Vietnam and Cambodia
In 1784-1785, the first of the Nguyen Lords, Nguyen Anh convinced King Rama I to give him forces to attack Vietnam (which was under the control of the Tây Son brothers). However, the joint Nguyen-Siam fleet was destroyed in the Battle of Rach Gam–Xoai Mut in the Mekong delta region. Nguyen's appeal for Siamese assistance enabled the Siamese to exert considerable political influence over Nguyen's court. Mac Tu Sinh, who was the son of Mac Thien Tu and his Siamese wife was raised among the Siamese, was appointed the governor of Hà Tiên until his death in 1787. Ngo Ma, a general of Siamese descent was appointed as its acting governor in Mac's place. Nguyen Anh also took refuge in Siam at the King's court waiting for the opportunities to defeat Tay Son. This showed Rama I willingness to exert and extent Siamese power beyond his Kingdom.
In Cambodia, King Reamraja of Cambodia was deposed in 1779 and the throne was given to his son, the young Ang Eng. However, pro-Vietnamese policies of Cambodian aristocrats under Ang Eng alarmed Rama I. As a result Rama I had Ang Eng captured and deported to Bangkok, where he became Rama’s adopted son to implant pro-Siamese sentiments on him. Rama I also imposed Chao Phraya Abhaya Bhubet as the Regent of Cambodia.
Nguyen Anh secretly left for Vietnam in 1787, leaving Rama I a note. Nguyen managed to recapture Saigon by 1788 and later ascended as Emperor Gia Long in 1802. (Thai; Phrachao Vietnam Ya Long)
In 1794, upon Ang Eng’s majority, Rama I reinstalled him as the Narairaja III of Cambodia. The area around Siemreap and Battambang was annexed by Siam, and were governed by Abhaya Bhubet. However, Rama I allowed these territories to be ruled in accordance with Cambodian traditions.
Wars with Burma
Soon King Bodawpaya of Burma started to pursue his ambitious campaigns to expand his dominions over Siam began. The Burmo-Siamese War (1785–1786) or the “Nine Armies Wars”, as called by Siam because the Burmese came in nine armies. The armies poured into Lanna and Northern Siam, the Siam put up a brave fight under the governor of Lampang, who managed to partly halt the Burmese, all the while waiting for the troops from Bangkok. When Phitsanulok was captured, Rama I himself led an army and marched north.
In the south, Bodawpaya was waiting at Chedi Sam Ong ready to attack. The Front Palace was ordered to lead his troops to the south and counter-attacked the Burmese coming to Ranong through Nakhon Si Thammarat, these engagements occurred near Kanchanaburi. The Burmese also attacked Thalang (Phuket), where the governor had just died, Chan his wife and her sister Mook gathered local people to defend Thalang against the Burmese, they were successful. Today, Chan and Mook were revered as heroines in their opposition of the Burmese invasions, they were later known as Thao Thep Kasattri and Thao Sri Sunthon, titles they received from King Rama I.
The Burmese proceeded to capture Songkhla. Upon hearing the news, the governors of Phatthalung fled. However, a monk named Phra Maha encouraged citizens of the area to turn up their arms against the Burmese, his campaign was also successful. Phra Maha was later raised to the nobility by Rama I.
As his armies were destroyed, Bodawpaya retreated, only to renew attacks next year, in 1786. Bodawpaya, this time, however didn’t divide his troops but instead formed them into a single army. With this force Bodawpaya passed through the Chedi Sam Ong pass and settled in Ta Din Dang. The Front Palace as a result marched the Siamese forces to face Bodawpaya. The fighting was very short and Bodawpaya was quickly defeated. This short war was called “Ta Din Dang campaign”.
Economics, Culture and Religion
Chinese immigration increased during Rama I's reign, who maintained Taksin's policy of allowing Chinese immigration, as a factor to keep the country's economy going. The Chinese were found mainly in the trading and mercantile sector, and by the time his son and grandson came to the throne, European explorers noted that Bangkok was filled with Chinese junks of all sizes.
Rama I moved the capital from Thonburi, which was founded by his predecessor Taksin, and built the new capital Bangkok. During the first few years prior to the founding of the current capital, he saw the construction of the palaces and the Chapel Royal. The Chapel Royal or Wat Phra Kaew of which the Emerald Buddha is enshrined is located within his Royal Palace or the Grand Palace. With the completion of the new capital, Rama I held an official ceremony naming the new capital.
In 1804, Rama I initiated the compilation of the Three Seals Law; consisting of old Ayutthayan laws collected and organized. He also initiated a reform of government and the style of Kingship.
Rama I was also noted for instituting major reforms in Buddhism as well as restoring moral discipline among the monks in the country, which had gradually eroded with the fall of Ayutthaya. Monks had already dabbled in superstitions when he first came to power, and Rama I implemented a law which required a monk who wished to travel to another principality for further education to present a certificate bearing his personal particulars, which would prove a monk own's legitimacy that he had been properly ordained. The King also repeatedly emphasised in state ceremonies to place devotion to the Buddha, and not over guardian spirits and past rulers, of which vestiges of ancient Animist worship had a persisted among the Thais prior to his rule.
The King also appointed the first Supreme Patriarch of Thai Buddhism, whose responsibilities included the duty of ensuring that Rama I's laws are maintained which was to ensure law and order within the Buddhist Sangha. Rama I's passion for literature, which was also connected with his concern for Buddhist order within the country. He was noted for advocating important Thai translation of important Pali works.and Buddhist texts lost in the chaos after the sacking of Ayutthaya by the Burmese in 1767, some were salvaged under the direction of Rama I. He also wrote a Thai version of the Ramayana epos called Ramakian.
Death and Legacy
King Rama I died on September 7, 1809 after a short but sharp illness, he was succeeded by his son Prince Isarasundhorn as Buddha Loetla Nabhalai or Rama II.
Siam during the reign of Rama I reached a new height of power not seen since the sixteenth century. Militarily Siam was able to successfully repel Burmese invasions and exerted influences over Laos and Cambodia and even Vietnam. Culturally Rama I also encouraged cultural works to rehabilitate people after the successive series of wars and built many temples and monuments during his reign. His policies laid the foundation for Siam to expand within the next decades.
Titles and styles
- 1736-1758: Nai Thong Duang
- 1758-1768: Luang Yorkbat Ratchaburi or Phraya Ratchaburi
- 1768: Phraya Warindra
- 1768-1769: Phraya Abhaya Ronarit
- 1769-1770: Phraya Yommaraj
- 1770-1778: Chao Phraya Maha Chakri
- 1778-1782: Somdet Chao Praya Maha Ksatriyaseuk
- 1782-1809: Phrabat Somdet Phra Chao Yu Hua
- Posthumously as: Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke or the First Reign and then later Rama I
In Memoriam
April 6 is Chakri Memorial Day, a holiday to commemorate the founder of the Chakri Dynasty.
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