Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A bloodless revolution in 1932, initiated by the Promoters of Political Change and a
willing Rama VII (King Prajadhipok; r 1925-35), transformed Siam from an absolute
monarchy into a constitutional one. Bangkok thus found itself the nerve centre of a vast
new civil service, which, coupled with its growing success as a world port, transformed
the city into a mecca for Siamese seeking economic opportunities.
EXTENDED FAMILIES IN THAILAND'S ROYAL COURT
Until polygamy was outlawed by Rama VI (King Vajiravudh; r 1910-25), it was expected of Thai monarchs to
maintain a harem consisting of numerous 'major' and 'minor' wives and the children of these relationships. This
led to some truly vast families: Rama I (King Phraphutthayotfa; r 1782-1809) had 42 children by 28 mothers;
Rama II (King Phraphutthaloetla Naphalai; r 1809-24), 73 children by 40 mothers; Rama III (King Phranangklao;
r 1824-51), 51 children by 37 mothers (he would eventually accumulate a total of 242 wives and consorts); Rama
IV (King Mongkut; r 1851-68), 82 children by 35 mothers; and Rama V (King Chulalongkorn; r 1868-1910), 77
children by 40 mothers. In the case of Rama V, his seven 'major' wives were all half-sisters or first cousins, a
conscious effort to maintain the purity of the bloodline of the Chakri dynasty. Other consorts or 'minor' wives
were often the daughters of families wishing to gain greater ties with the royal family.
In contrast to the precedent set by his predecessors, Rama VI had one wife and one child, a girl born only a few
hours before his death. As a result, his brother, Prajadhipok, was appointed as his successor. Rama VII also had
only one wife and failed to produce any heirs. After abdicating in 1935 he did not exercise his right to appoint a
successor, so lines were drawn back to Rama V, and the grandson of one of his remaining 'major' wives, nine-
year-old Ananda Mahidol, was chosen to be the next king.
WWII & the Struggle for Democracy
Phibul Songkhram, appointed prime minister by the People's Party in December 1938,
changed the country's name from Siam to Thailand and introduced the Western solar cal-
endar. Phibul, who in 1941 allowed Japanese regiments access to the Gulf of Thailand,
resigned in 1944 under pressure from the Thai underground resistance, and was eventually
exiled to Japan. Bangkok resumed its pace towards modernisation, even after Phibul re-
turned to Thailand in 1948 and took over the leadership again via a military coup. Over
the next 15 years, bridges were built over Mae Nam Chao Phraya, canals were filled in to
provide space for new roads, and multistorey buildings began crowding out traditional
teak structures.
From 1964 to 1973 - the peak years of the second Indochina War - Thai army officers
Thanom Kittikachorn and Praphat Charusathien ruled Thailand and allowed the US to es-
tablish several army bases within Thai borders to support the US campaign in Indochina.
During this time Bangkok gained notoriety as a 'rest and recreation' (R&R) spot for for-
eign troops stationed in Southeast Asia.
