Chulalongkorn

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Chulalongkorn" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (January 2010) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

King Chulalongkorn the Great พระบาทสมเด็จพระปรมินทรมหาจุฬาลงกรณ์ฯ พระจุลจอมเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัวมหาราช
King of Siam (Rama V)
King of Siam
Reign	1 October 1868 – 23 October 1910
Coronation	11 November 1868 (1st) 16 November 1873 (2nd)
Predecessor	Mongkut (Rama IV)
Successor	Vajiravudh (Rama VI)
Regent	Sri Suriwongse (1868–1873)
Viceroy	Wichaichan (1868–1885)
Born	(1853-09-20)20 September 1853 Bangkok, Siam
Died	23 October 1910(1910-10-23) (aged 57) Bangkok, Siam
Spouse	Sunanda Kumariratana Sukhumala Marasri Savang Vadhana Saovabha Phongsri and 5 other consorts and 143 concubines
Issue more...	Vajirunhis, Crown Prince Vajiravudh (Rama VI) Mahidol Adulyadej, Prince of Songkhla Prajadhipok (Rama VII)
Names (English): Chulalongkorn Bodindradeva Mahamongkut Burusayaratana Rajravivongse Varutamabhong Paripatra Sirivatana Rajakumar (Thai): จุฬาลงกรณ์ บดินทรเทพยมหามกุฎ บุรุษยรัตนราชรวิวงศ์ วรุตมพงศบริพัตร สิริวัฒนราชกุมาร Era name and dates Rattanakosin Kingdom: 1 October 1868 – 23 October 1910 Posthumous name Rama V (รัชกาลที่ 5)
House	Chakri dynasty
Father	Mongkut (Rama IV)
Mother	Debsirindra
Religion	Theravada Buddhism
Signature

Chulalongkorn (Thai: จุฬาลงกรณ์)^[a] and later, posthumously honoured with the title King Chulalongkorn the Great (Thai: พระบาทสมเด็จพระปรมินทรมหาจุฬาลงกรณ์ฯ พระจุลจอมเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัวมหาราช)^[b] and the "Great Beloved King" (Thai: พระปิยมหาราช), (20 September 1853 – 23 October 1910). He was the fifth king of Siam from the Chakri dynasty (Thai: ราชวงศ์จักรี), titled Rama V (Thai: รัชกาลที่ 5).

Chulalongkorn's reign was characterised by the modernisation of Siam, governmental and social reforms, and territorial concessions to the British and French Empires. As Siam was surrounded by European colonies, Chulalongkorn, through his policies and acts, ensured the independence of Siam. He was mentioned as "One of the Rulers of the World at the Beginning of the 20th Century" and the "Greatest King of Siam and Thailand's History." Later, known for his conflicts in "1893 Franco-Siamese crisis" and the "Haw Wars." Chulalongkorn reigned from 1868 until his death in 1910.

Chulalongkorn was born as the son of Mongkut, the fourth king of Siam. In 1868, he travelled with his father and Westerners invited by Mongkut to observe the solar eclipse of 18 August 1868 in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. However, Chulalongkorn and his father both contracted malaria which resulted in his father's death.^{[clarification needed]}

All his reforms were dedicated to ensuring Siam's independence given the increasing encroachment of Western powers, so that Chulalongkorn earned the epithet Phra Piya Maharat or known as the Great Beloved King (Thai: พระปิยมหาราช).
Cite error: There are <ref group=lower-alpha> tags or {{efn}} templates on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} template or {{notelist}} template (see the help page).