King Chulalongkorn and the Development of Bangkok

King Chulalongkorn the Great (Rama V) reigned for 42 years, from 1868-1910. He continued the far-sighted reforms of modernization that Mongkut had begun. King Chulalongkorn had prided himself on the methods with which he westernized Siam without subjecting it to foreign control, but King Chulalongkorn was very pragmatic in his reforms. He was critically selective of which reforms to implicate because he did not want to erase any traditional values. The most famous of his reforms was the abolition of slavery. He pronounced every person born during his reign free, and took steps to liberate the present slaves by creating incentives for their owners.

Domestic Policy

King Chulalongkorn made other important internal reforms as well. He expanded the communication and transportation system by building the first Railroad, post and telegraphy services. These new networks had two great effects on the growth of Thailand. First of all, every system originated in Bangkok and radiated out to the provinces, restrengthening Bangkok's primacy. Railroad lines were a good example of this. Not only were the provinces accessible to the city, the city became more accessible to the rural community and as a result, rapid urbanization took place. Second of all, these developments gave the Thai government much more control over the provinces. The government was able to send officials to the provinces and replace the old ruling families with someone more favorable to the Chakri throne. Schools were promoted in the provinces where the Thai language was taught to give the country a common language. All of these reforms and more resulted in the national integration of the entire country. With the government in control of its outer provinces, there was less of a chance of colonial takeover. Thailand was united and the national identity that had formed made it harder for colonists to take over parts of the country.

Within the city, King Chulalongkorn had several other successful policies as well. He laid out many tree-lined avenues and roads, including some major boulevards in the European style. Rajadamnoen Avenue was build, linking Dusit Palace to the city center. The construction of major roads dramatically changed the appearance of the city. Traffic was no longer primarily by water, as people began to change their method of travel from canals to streets. Bangkok became a modern city with streets, pavement and lights.

Rama V also sent many students to study abroad for their education. He wanted them to return and be capable of replacing the foreign advisors that King Mongkut had used. King Chulalongkorn also created more government ministers using the West as a model, and thereby centralizing the government even more.

King Chulalongkorn also established a variety of public utilities, although he mostly focused on Bangkok. Health and educational standards for the public were improved. He developed criminal and civil courts, a police force, hospitals, universities and a teacher's college. Chulalongkorn traveled through Thailand often to personally investigate and share his subject's conditions. These trips not only made him more aware of what was going on in his country, it also made him more popular with the people.

Result of domestic policy

Chulalongkorn's domestic policy was very successful. The colonists' White Man's Burden excuse was no longer applicable. Thailand had gained the respect of the foreigners who saw it as stable, modern, able to protect treaty rights and promote trade, all of which were ideal for the westerner's needs.

Foreign Policy

King Chulalongkorn's foreign policy was also very successful. He had traveled extensively in Europe in 1897 and met the European royalty on equal terms. He was the first Thai monarch to travel to the west. He knew English well and therefore had read books on Western history and was determined to resist their domination. He knew their strength and tactics and knew that Thailand could never use force against them and still be successful. Instead, Chulalongkorn based his foreign policy on establishing equal rights for all European powers. He did not want any confrontations and therefore managed to continue friendly relations with each country.

King Chulalongkorn made several land concessions to the French and British. To the French he granted Laos in 1893, which had been kept as a sort of buffer state between Siam and French Indochina. Parts of Cambodia, including Angkor Wat had been ceded to the French too in 1867. The southern Malay states were taken by the British in 1909 and thus the borders of present day Thailand were established.

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