Every night at the Royal Plaza in Bangkok, Thai people of all walks of life gather in groups large and small to offer their respects at the equestrian statue of Thailand's beloved and honored king, King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V) of the Chakri Dynasty. The mood is solemn as people tend to makeshift altars laden with votive offerings of flowers, candles and incense.
Thais revere the 19th century king as a symbol of progress who led his country’s entry into the modern world and who can now bring them luck, especially in business.
Every Tuesday – the day of Chulalongkorn’s birth – some of these devotees pay homage to the monarch in Bangkok’s Royal Plaza. After dusk, and as late as midnight, individuals and small groups set up small makeshift shrines to the king, offering flowers and gifts like brandy and cigarettes.
As a nationalist symbol, Chulalongkorn has been around for decades but, over the past 10 years, he has transformed from a figure of royal reverence to an object of worship.
Many devotees say they began worshipping Chulalongkorn after experiencing supernatural phenomena.
“I had no opinion of him or thought of worshipping at the beginning. He was never in my thoughts partly because he had too many wives. Then I started dreaming about him several times,” said Opas Santimat, 56, a beauty salon owner.
One time he saw a portrait of the king, usually kept reclining against the base of the statue, move towards him at a fast speed.
“Nobody saw that except me. Since then, my life has changed,” he said.
Opas said he has lost count of the number of times the king has helped him out of financial and health crises.
From being a cash-strapped worker, Opas now owns six beauty salons and traditional massage outlets in Bangkok.Nongnapas Kraison, 37, was another person who claims to have received miraculous help from the king.
Sometimes, the situation looked hopeless but when I prayed to him something unbelievable would happen just in time,” she said.
The king’s image is found on the walls of shops and offices. Miniature pictures hang from the rear view mirrors of taxis. His likeness is etched on coins and adorns amulets worn by many.
Thai scholars speak of the worship of Chulalongkorn developing into a cult during the heyday of the economic boom in the 1990s. Many upper class merchants and self-employed businessmen adopted him as a patron saint.
I went to pray at the statue of Thailand’s late King Chulalongkorn, also known as Rama V, in Bangkok, near the Royal Plaza. For many Thais, the late king is a virtual deity whose spirit is capable of bringing metta, chairsma, good luck, especially in business.
BiographyOf His Majesty King Chulalongkorn Rama V
Also known as Phra Chula Chomklao Chaoyuhua, and the eldest son of King Rama IV, he was born in Bangkok on September 20, 1853 and was crowned King on October 1, 1868, following the death of his father. The first few years of his reign were under a regency. King Chulalongkorn is perhaps the most revered of all the Chakri Kings--during his long reign of 42 years 23 days great advances were achieved for the country.
The King actively pursued a policy of "modernizing" the country and had a number of Europeans in his service to oversee such projects as the building of the first railway in Thailand . He himself made two visits to Europe, one in 1897 and another in 1907, during which he became acquainted with most of the rulers of Europe. Bonds of friendship between himself and the various European royal families were formed which exist to the present day. Not only was he the first Thai king to travel abroad [ he made several visits to the Straits Settlements, the Malay States and the Dutch East Indies ] but he also sent his sons to study in Europe [ to school in England and later for military training to Denmark, Germany and Russia ].
His Royal Highness is perhaps most popularly noted for his abolition of slavery in 1905, and lessening the subservient position of the common people such as the practice of prostration in public and at ceremonial events, which was discarded. But his reforms also included the expansion of mobility and communication with the construction of railways and the establishment of postal and telegraph services. Provincial administration was brought under centralized direction and augmented by specialized functional ministries. Fiscal administration was centralized and modern accounting, budgeting and auditing procedures were adopted. Modern law codes and other judicial reforms were decreed, which went a long way toward pacifying the European power's discontent with the legal system. He created a ministerial system in 1892, established a variety of public institutions, particularly in the fields of health and education. Roads, bridges, railways, telegraph lines, irrigation canals and water gates were constructed. Mining projects were launched. Mapping was introduced. The military forces were upgraded through conscription and the founding of a military academy.
He successfully managed to cultivate the idea of Siam as a buffer state between the colonial possessions of the European powers in South-East Asia. The price he paid of losing certain border territories was amply rewarded, for Siam was never colonized - the only country in the region to maintain its sovereignty throughout the period of colonial expansionism.
The insight, direction and impact of King Chulalongkorn's reforms were startling. He restored the monarchy as an absolute power and ushered in a new order. He sought power as a means to effect progressive change and advancement for Siamese society. It was due to the reforms of King Chulalongkorn that Siam's independence and sovereignty was preserved. Through his leadership and vision Thailand stands in contrast to other Asian countries. King Chulalongkorn was indeed a symbol of an enlightened age in Siamese history.
On October 23 1910, Somdej Phra Piyamaharaj, one of Thailand's most beloved and honored kings, died. The 42 year reign of King Rama V was marked with change as Thailand moved into a modern age. King Rama V was considered such a great benefactor to Thailand that Thai people donated their own money to erect the King Rama V equestrian statue at the Royal Plaza to honor and commemorate the advancements he made for his country and people. Thai people believe that the King has the miraculous power of bringing good luck and prosperity to any person who pays respects to him. For this reason the King's picture is found in almost every house and business.
KING RAMA V Amulets
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