VNU.JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, soc.. SCI., HUMAN., N05E, 2006

MONGKUT, CHULALONGKORN AND THE GENERATIONS OF SIAM REFORMERS IN THE PREMODERN PERIOD

Pham Hong Tungr)

The premodern history of the King Mongkut (Rama IV). Totally Kingdom of Thailand is closely Mongkut had 39 wives and 82 children associated with the names of King including 43 princesses and 39 princes. Mongkut (Rama IV, 1851-1868), Chulalongkorn was not the first son of Chulalongkorn (Rama V, 1868-1910) and Mongkut. However, because he was the three genarations of reformers who first son born to Queen Rampoey, he was successfully led the modernization cause the official successor of Mongkut. of Siam Kingdom (former name of The talent and career of Thailand) which helped this kingdom Chulalongkorn was firstly associated overcome the hazard of invasion from with the talent and personality of his colonialism. Nowadays, Thai people still father, and the story of King Mongkut worship these two kings as Buddha- was also one of the most interesting ones Emperors who enlighted and set the in the premodern period of Thailand. foundation for the birth of modern Thai. Mongkut was not the fisrt son either. This article focuses on studying the However, he was the first son born to the biography, career and especially elements Queen and King Rama II (1809-1824). which have created the talent of these He was 20 when his father passed away. two kings as well as the generations of It was also the period when Siam national talent who successfully led this kingdom under the ruling of Chakri famous movement of reform. Based on dynasty was facing vital challenges. At this, it is possible to make remarks on the end of the 18th century and the the importance of national talent in this beginning of the 19th century, Western movement of reform in premodern Siam capitalism invasion and colonialization in order to gain historic experiences for were at their height in East Asia. Among the strategy of talent development in colonialist nations, Britain and France Vietnam nowadays. were the most powerful. Many countries 1. Historical background, and peoples in this region were biography and the process of conquered and dominated while others becoming talents of Mongkut were facing the hazard of being and Chulalongkorn attacked, invaded or divided. Chulalongkorn was born on Chakri dynasty was founded in 1782, September 20th in 1853. His father was which put an end to a chaotic time in the n Assoc.Prof. Dr., Vietnam National Univeristy, Hanoi

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history of this country after the collapse (due to the tradition of the mornachy in of Ayudhya dynasty and the dominance Siam, the incumbent king always of the Burman. Under the reigns of designates a viceroy to be the successor Rama I and Rama II, Siam kingdom in case the king dies unexpectedly). It recovered quickly and reached the peak was likely that he implicitly reserved of decentralistic Buddhist mornachy. this position for Mongkut, who should The territory was more extended than have been the successor of Rama II. ever before. However, this was also the As for Mongkut, after following his time when Western colonialists began to father’s order to shave his head and pay attention to Siam and threaten the become a monk, he immediately devoted independence of this kingdom[1, p. 113]. all of his mind and strength to this In 1822, British colonialist government career. However, he did it in his own in India sent a mission led by John way. Fisrt of all, he tried his best to Crawfurd to Bangkok to ask for study Pali, a kind of dead language permission to trade. However, nobody in which costs an ordinary monk many Rama IFs court could understand years to master if he wants to English [1, p. 114]. The failure of the understand Buddhist scripture. negotiation made Crawfurd leave in However, with his prominent talent, fury, which foretold that a real hazard Mongkut only took less than 2 years to was on its way. Soon after that Rama II master Pali and then passed the fell ill and the white elephant, the sacred examination of Buddhist Supreme symbol of the Royal family, also died. Council to become the leader of Buddhist As if he could predict future events, Church of this kingdom. Also during this Rama II made decisions which. He did time, he got acquainted with a Freeh not designate Mongkut as his successor missionary named Mosignor Pallegoix. although Mongkut was the only official He taught Mosignor Pali and Thai while crown prince. On the contrary, he the missionary taught him English, ordered Mongkut to shave his head and French, Latin and some Western become a monk, then designated his fundamental sciences. Besides, he also eldest son (who was 43 at that time) to made acquaintance with other several be the successor to the throne. Western missionaries to learn scientific After his accession to the throne, knowledge from them. He learned these strange knowledge and languages with Rama III (1824-1851) always special intelligence and wisdom. remembered his fathers recommendation to be “absolutely At the end of 1825, the second cautious about the relationship with British mission led by Henry Burney Western countries”. It seemed that he was sent to Bangkok to make also predicted this challenge in the negotiation and request Siam to open future, so he didn’t designate a viceroy the country for trade. At that time

VNU, Journal of Science, Soc., Sci., Human., N£E, 2006 Mongkut, Chulalongkom and the generations of Siam.. 51

British colonialists had just declared the such as China, Vietnam, Siam, Burma, first invasion to conquer Burma. The etc., increased day by day. In pagodas, negotiation lasted for nearly a year and Mongkut, Chuang Bunnag and the came to a standstill. However, when group of young aristocrat intellectuals British army won the war and forced implicitly monitored latest incidents in Emperor of Burma to sign a peace the world and the region and they treaty, Rama III invited Mongkut to join became more positive in studying the negotiation and he cleverly convinced Western learning. both sides to sign a treaty in 1826 which In April 1851, Rama III passed away. minimized disadvantages for Siam. With the strong support of powerful Mongkut also promptly forwarded aristocrat forces, especially Bunnag two things which later played decisive lineage, Mongkut gave up the frock and roles in the reform of him and his son. came to the throne crowned as Rama IV. First, he declared the reform in the Right after his accession to the Buddhist Church of Siam towards throne, Mongkut had to face with strong eliminating the superstition, stagnation pressure from Western colonialism. In and degradation of the clergy and the years 1850 and 1851, Britist restoring the rationalism and secularism colonialists continuously sent missions of primitive Buddihism. As a result, to Bangkok to ask Chakri dynasty to after years of consistent persuasion, open the country for trade. In March Mongkut founded and became the leader 1855, another mission led by John of a new sect called Dhammayaut which Bowring was sent to Bangkok to demand gathered Siam reformatory chapters for trade. This demand was pertained together. Second , he gathered around with the public threat of violent attack. himself a force including several young At the same time, British army declared princes and members of most powerful the Second invasion to annex Burma. aristocrat families, especially the Bunnag, to focus on studying Western When Bowring arrived in Bangkok, languages, sciences and technology. This the manner of Siam court changed was the first step in the preparation of completely. King Mongkut and Minister of Foreign Affairs and South East talents which were one of the decisive Chuang Phraya Bunnag (Suriyawong) factors determining the destiny of the themselves welcomed him at the wharf. reform afterwards [1, p.119; 2, p.117]. During the talk afterwards, the King After the Opium War (1839-1842), himself even offered Boring coffee, cigars Western colonialist countries intensified and began the talk by narrating in the race to invade Asia and fought with English what he had read in the one another over remaining lands to Hongkong Daily that day. All of this make them their colonies. The pressure made a special impression on Bowring on national sovereignty of kingdoms about an innovated and trusty court. In

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April 1855, the new treaty between Siam reforms the success of which was and Britain was signed, in which absolutely ensured. Mongkut decided to strongly reduce It appeared that Mongkut import-export tax and ensure the free understood the mission of forwarding trade while Britain pledged to recognize the reform would be put on the Siam’s sovereignty over peripheral areas shoulders of his successor. As a result, in the North of Malaysian peninsula and he set up a special training program for Northeast Burma. Afterwards, Siam also the crown prince Chulalongkorn very signed a series of similar treaties with early. This training program was France, The United States, Denmark, designed by Mongkut himself based on Portugal and the Netherlands. These his own experiences of self-education in treaties created significant changes in order to create most favourable the trade between Siam and Western preparation for Chulalongkorn to countries. If in 1852 only three Western become an innovative king who could merchant ships arrived at Bangkok port, face with challenges in the near future. this figure in 1856 was 200. As a result, Chulalongkorn began to learn under a reform in the aspects of tax system, the guidance of Thai Royal lecturers services, etc. became imperative [1, when he was only 7. He received the p.122]. education and special traditional So, the reform really began. Mongkut training reserved for princes in many actively invited dozens of specialists aspects, such as Thai writing, Pali, royal from Western countries to Siam to work practices, rituals, Buddhism, historical as advisors for him and the court in chronicles, official regulations, the art of many aspects, including legislation, fencing and methods of military administration, diplomacy and especially command. Besides, he also studied at a military. A special school was special school under the guidance of established for princes and members of Western missionaries and professors. He aristocrat families under the direct learned from them fundamental guidance of Western lecturers. The king scientific knowledge, English and and royal family also directly invested in French. Mongkut even had some several services. Western tutors to teach this young crown prince directly. Among them, However, Mongkut and Chuang perhaps Mrs Anna Leonowens, a British Bunnag understood clearly that it was professor, was most instrumental on the not easy for conservative forces, development of knowledge and especially the aristocracy, to accept the personality of the future king. She had reform towards westernization. been living continuously in the Royal Consequently, although Mongkut knew Palace during the 5 year period from exactly the way of the reform, he was 1862 to 1867 to teach Chulalongkorn [1, still very cautious and only implemented p.124].

VNU, Journal of Science, Soc., Sci., Human., N^E, 2006 Mongkut, Chulalongkom and the generations o f Siam. 53

However, the real “teacher” who had radical reforms but only wanted to make the greatest influence on certain changes in several policies to Chulalongkorn’s talent, personality and make peace with Western countries as stuff was no other than his father, King well as to protect the benefits of Bunnag Mongkut. Mongkut always kept his son lineage and Thai aristocracy. by his side since Chulalongkorn was only During the first 5 years 7. After school time, this prince, together Chulalongkorn still concentrated on with his father, normally dealt with study and implicitly gathered his force. daily matters of the kingdom so that he He made acquaintance with a group of could understand the ruling method. young princes and some aristocratical Mongkut also step by step taught youths, drove them to follow him to Chulalongkorn the method and the study Western modern sciences and indispensable way of reforming the travelled with them to visit colonies country as well as how to have such as Java (Indonesia) of the relationship with Western countries. He Netherlands and Singapore, India and even wanted to pass his passion of Burma of Britain. During these trips studying Western sciences to his son. On Chulalongkorn and aristocratical youths August 18,1868, Mongkut invited some (sometimes the number of the delegation of his Western friends to travel with him was over 70) observed with their own to Wa Kaw to observe an eclipse and he eyes and acquired substantial first-hand brought Prince Chulalongkorn along. experiences of useful things in ruling Unfortunately, both he and his son art, administration and Western contracted malaria in this trip. After paradigm of the economy, industry, returning to Bangkok, Mongkut passed services and the modality of military and away on January 10,1868. education organization which the Chulalongkorn, who was lucky to survive, British, Dutch and Portuguese were came to the throne at the age of 15. applying in neighbour colonies [1, p.125]. 2. The reform o f Chulalongkorn In 1873, when he was 18, and the next generations of talen ts Chulalongkorn celebrated his second enthronement and began to hold the real Chulalongkorn became King when he power himself. The young king eagerly \vas only 15, so he didn’t hold the real started the reform following what his power yet. The real power then fell into father had just began. He declared the the hand of Regent Chaophraya Si abolishment of slavery and the practice Suriyawong (Chuang Bunnag). In fact, of kowtow in the court, changed the style Chuang Bunnag was also the backbone of court attire and set up a State council of the reform faction who had stood by and a Privy council which consisted of the side of Mongkut for dozens of years. princes and young reformatory However, he didn’t intend to carry out aristocrats as his two consultant

VNU, Journal of Science, Soc., Sci., Human.,NJE, 2006 54 Pharr. Hong Tung agencies. Chulalongkorn also declared succeeded in training talents for the the reform in the tax system, gathered reform but also peacefully staged a coup financial resources in the hand of the d’etat to overthow the conservatives central government, made changes in forces and brought the reformatory judicial system, etc. faction to power. Such significant reforms created new Based on this, from 1880s, after most vitality and drivingforce of development key-figures of conservative aristocrat for the kingdom. Youth, merchants and factor were already dead, including late peasants strongly approved these Recent Chuang Bunnag, Chulalongkorn reforms and supported the young king. started a new period of the reform. However, the reforms had made a shock This time, thanks to more careful to the conservative aristocracy. preparation with stronger reformatory Especially, the abolishment of slavery force including mainly princes, the king’s and the change in financial system had brothers and members of large aristocrat directly attacked their benefits and families, Chulalongkorn implemented power. As a result, these conservative more intensive reforms in various forces concentrated around viceroy aspects of economics, politics, education, Wichaichan and then launched a revolt etc. In 1885, he dicided to reorganize in an attempt to overthrow King central government system, abolish the Chulalongkorn in 1875. decentralistic mornachy, set up Although Wichaichan’s revolt was centralistic one and establish ministries unsuccessful, it was a strict warning to to undertake different functions of the Chulalongkorn’s hasty steps. He realized government like a Western cabinet. that the reformatory forces hadn’t been Ministers were all princes and the king’s strong enough. So, he temporarily brothers who had returned after their delayed reform plans and gathered training in Europe. Afterwards, forces for the next steps. According to Chulalongkorn also implemented the that, many princes were sent abroad to reform in local authorities system to study. For example, Prince Vajiravuth gather power in the hand of central studied military science and history in government. This reform changed the Britain, other 4 princes and some descent of local mandarins from aristocrat members studied military and hereditory lords to mandarins who were sciences in Germany, Russia, Denmark, appointed, paid and could be dismissed etc. After they had finished their study by the court[2, p.184]. and returned, Chulalongkorn While the first period of the reform immediately appointed them to cause had just been started, British important positions in the government colonialism also declared the Third which their fathers and uncles were invasion to annex Burma and completed holding. Thus Chulalongkorn not only

VNU, Journal of Science, Soc., Sci., Human., N^E, 2006 Mongkut, Chulalongkom and the generations of Siam 55

their 30-year conquest. In order to In fact, even while the king was in relieve the pressure from the West and crisis, princes such as Damrong and the Southwest, Siam had to give up Devawongse were still forwarding the many peripheral territories contiguous reform and continued to strengthen the with Burma to British colonialism. In govenment system, legislation and the East, French colonialism had also military. Especially, education made completed the conquest over Vietnam rapid progress. Thousands of new and Cambodia. In 1887 they annexed schools following Western model were Laos. It is worth noticing that at that constructed all over the kingdom. If the time Laos and Cambodia were still number of pupils in 1898 was only 5000, considered dependent territories of it increased to 84.000 in 1910 Ơ2, p. 186]. Siam. The conflict between Siam army One of the most important aspects in and French forces on the side of Mekong Chulalongkorn’s reform was foreign river made the relationship between affairs. Like his father, Chulalongkorn Siam and France become terribly had prepared himself very early with strained. In July 1893, French vast and regularly undated knowledge of battleships crossed Chaophraya estuary Western cultures, sciences, languages and then went upstream to Bangkok. and politics in order to be in contact with This time, to save the destiny of the Western countries at the high level of kingdom, Chulalongkorn had to entreat this age. He actively hired hundreds of help from Britain to mediate with Western specialists to Bangkok to help France. As a result, Siam had to give up the court in the aspects of economics, all peripheral territories to British and education and foreign affairs. He even French colonialism. Chulalongkorn only hired many Westerners to work as Siam ruled the territory of Thailand nowadays ambassadors in Western countries. The which is about a half of the territory King himself usually exchanged mails ruled by Rama III [2,p.185-186], with French Emperor, British Queen, Due to the pressure from Western Prussian Emperor, the Czar and other colonialism, Chulalongkorn’s reform had Western high-ranking politicians. to slow down once again. The King Sometimes Siam was saved thanks to himself fell into a serious mental crisis these personal relationships, for because so many territories had been instance in 1875 and 1892-1893 crises [1, lost to the hands of British and French p.125]. colonialism. He once had the intention of The decisive aspect of reform in Siam leaving his throne. However, after modernization in this period was the several years of recuparation with the economic reform. Chulalongkorn and help of Royal family and Buddhist Chakri court bravely invited Western Church, he recovered and, since 1898, countries to invest in railroads, continued the next steps of his reform. motorways and production which set the

l'NU, Journal of Science, Soc., Sci., Human.,NJE, 2006 Pham Hong Tung 56 foundation for modern industry. The talents of Chulalongkorn generation royal family itself also invested in many were the outcome of clever mixture fields. These factors paved the way for among self-study, self-training and a the capitalization of Siam. When training process following an itinerary Chulalongkorn passed away on October which had already been designed with 23, 1910, the foundation for the proper curricula and a painstaking tutor development of Siam towards program. As for the third generation, capitalization and modernization had their talent was mainly formed through been firmly set. Chulalongkorn’s reform their study abroad at top-ranking started by his father Mongkut since universities and colleges in Europe. 1851 was fundamentally completed. The special point was that Mongkut Although its success was not as generation designed the training for and spectacular as Japan’s Meiji renovation, wisely used Chulalongkorn generation, it was enough not only to bring Siam out and in turn, this generation also of the invasion hazard from Western concentrated on designing the plan to countries but also to open the way and train the next generations for the set the foundation for the birth of a reform. It was Siam’s strategy of talents modern Thailand. in the premodern period, one of the 3. Some comments on factors which decided its reform cause. It Chulalongkorn and was also a profound example for the generations of Siam talents innovation of our country nowadays. in premodern period Although they were the outcome of The most prominent characteristic of different training itineraries, all talents the successful reform in Siam in the in the reform of Siam in the premodern premodern period was the thorough period had 2 important characteristics, and they were also prominent personnel preparation. Talented characteristics in King Chulalongkorn’s reformers of Siam from the generation of personality and talent. Mongkut and Chuang Bunnag, then the generation of Chulalongkorn, princes First, they were the outcome of Damrong and Devawongse, to the training itineraries with clear purposes. generation of Vajiravuth and many other Whether they were self-trained or young aristocrats, were all thoroughly trained following a pre-designed trained. itinerary, all of them had clear awareness of the mission they had to However, each generation of talents undertake in the future, that meant, the above was trained in different ways. To mission of leading and implementing the the genaration of Mongkut và Chuang reform and modernization of the country Bunnag, self-study and self-training following Western paradigm. This was played the most decisive role, while the the solution which they regarded as the

VNU, Journal of Science, Soc., Sci., Human.,NJE, 2006 Mongkut, Chulalongkom and the generations of Siam- 57

only way to save their country. This reform in Siam was how to use talents. awareness created their great ambition In fact, it is an important part which and based on that foundation, they decides the success of the whole strategy prepared for themselves necessary of talent development of every country in knowledge, skills and stuff in order to any ages. The success of the reform in finally train themselves as talents who Siam originated from the fact that the could satisfy the demands set up by this royal family and the aristocrary were misson. It was a lesson with great consistent in honoring and using the practical significance for the talent talented Mongkut. If Mongkut hadn’t strategy of our country today. been enthroned in 1851, the history of Second, although itineraries of Siam would have followed another training talents in Siam in the direction. After that, the training and premodern period were different from use of new generations of talents were one another, they had the same carefully planned and consistently characteristic, that is, the clever mixture supported. Certainly, the obstacles between two factors: the traditional and hindering this strategy were quite the modern, the nation and the age. This considerable, including conservative characteristic was concentratedly forces and invaders. There were even manifested by Mongkut and his son times when the reformatory faction Chulalongkorn. Thanks to this seemed to lose completely. In these characteristic, Chulalongkorn and Siam cases, it was prodigious talents of Siam reformers were very successful in who knew how themselves could be used applying what they had learnt into most efficiently. As for Mongkut, his practice. They were Western educated secret was to take advantage of the intellectuals who could keep pace with Buddhist Church’s support at first. Then the age in the aspect of knowledge, but he actively made balance between forces, first of all they were all members of Thai forwarded the reform at appropriate rate aristocracy who always associated and didn’t challenge all opponents at the themselves with national and royal same time. traditions. As a result, they could understand the demand of their Mongkut’s key to success was kingdom and knew how to promote their acquired and radically taken advantage own ability in the most appropriate way. of by Chulalongkorn. However, based on It is another lesson which is valuable for practical situations, Chulalongkorn was the cause of talent development of our even more creative in promoting the country today. relationships with Western heads of state in order to take advantage of them Another special issue which can be to escape from dangers caused by the inferred from the career of coercion from conservative forces and Chulalongkorn and the success of the colonialism when necessary.

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The biography of reformatory talents reformers had not belonged to tthe in Siam was also a noticeable factor. It aristocracy, it would have been likely was not just by chance that Mongkut that their talent wouldn’t have got a and Chulalọngkorn concentrated on deserving job and it would have been training generations of young aristocrats very difficult for the reform to succeed. It into talented reformers. This related to was one of the fundamental reasons their positions in Siam political system. which led to the failure of reformatory As aristocrats, they could be easily tendencies in Vietnam and China in the approved to hold critical ruling positions premodern period. It is an issue which to replace conservative aristocrat forces. needs attention in the cause of talent As a result, the transfer of political development in our country nowadays, power from conservative faction to especially in the aspects of management reformatory faction happened relatively and leadership. smooth. Just try to imagine if Siam

REFERENCES

1. Rong Syamananda, A History of Thailand , Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 1976, 2. Steinberg, David Joel (ed.), In Search of Southeast Asia, University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, 1987.

VNU, Journal of Science, Soc., Sci., Human., N„5E2006 VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI JOURNAL OF SCIENCE SOCIAL SCIENCES & HUMANITIES N05E - 2006

CONTENTS

1 . Dinh Xuan Lam, Phan Chau Trinh - Life and Career ...... 1

2 . Vu Duong Ninh, Colonialism - An unclosed file ...... 8

3. Hoang Van Van, Nominalsation in scientific discourse and the problems related to the translation of the nom inal group from English into V ietnam ese...... 11

4. Pham Quang Minh, Vietnam’s renovated foreign policy... 24

5 . Pierre Asselin, The 1954 Geneva Agreement on Vietnam and the 1973 Paris Agreement: Diplomacy and the Triumph of th e V ietnam ese R ev o lu tio n ......

6 . Nguyen Vu Hao, Conflict between cultural world outlooks in the Era of Globalization: some reasons and solutions in philosophical viewpoint ...... 4Q

7. Pham Hong Tung, Mongkut, Chulalongkorn and the generations of Siam reformers in the premodern period 49