The absolute monarchs of the early Chakri Dynasty had a huge role
in the development of Bangkok. "Every Chakri monarch had tried to leave
the city more beautiful than he found it. Each monarch in his turn though
of himself as King of Bangkok first and the King of Siam second." (Waugh
97) The absolute monarchs, Rama IV and Rama V in particular, displayed incredible
foresight in their decisions. Colonialism was a huge threat in Southeast
Asia during those early years of Bangkok, and Thailand is the only country
in the region never to have been colonized. It was kept as a buffer state
between French Indochina and the British controlled Burma. The country managed
to maintain it's independence because the kings realized that their country
could only escape Western control by developing and westernizing the country.
This led to major redevelopment of the country, reorganization of the government
and increased primacy of Bangkok.
The Chakri dynasty began in 1782 when the capital of Bangkok, or Krung
Thep, was set up in a loop of the Chao Phraya River, after the golden capital
of Ayutthaya was burned by the Khmer. Absolute monarchs reigned the country
until 1932 when a democratic uprising changed the monarchy into a constitutional
monarchy. Two of these absolute monarchs in particular had a vital role
in planning ahead for their country. King Mongkut (Rama IV) who reigned
from 1850-1868 and King Chulalongkorn the Great (Rama V) who reigned from
1868-1910 were the two kings that played the most important roles in Thailand's
escape from colonization. Rama IV and Rama V were experts in diplomacy as
they strengthened Siam and prevented colonial powers from taking over their
country. In doing so they built an infrastructure , modernized the economy
and westernized the city, creating Bangkok as it is known today.
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