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Published on October 24, 2007

People across the country gathered to celebrate Chulalong-korn Day yesterday, including protesters against the planned IRPC power plant in Rayong province, who marked the occasion by joining the monkhood to make merit for the revered former monarch.

The governors of six provinces led residents in paying homage at King Rama V monuments in front of their respective city halls in Khon Kaen, Kalasin, Chon Buri, Rayong, Yala and Narathiwat.

On October 23 every year, Thais gather in front of King Rama V monuments to commemorate the life of a monarch who did much for Thailand.

King Chulalongkorn, whose royal name was Phra Chula Chomklao Chaoyuhua, was the fifth king of the Chakri dynasty. He lived between 1853-1910 and is regarded as one of the greatest kings of Siam. The Thais call him "the Great Beloved King".

During his reign, King Chulalongkorn modernised the government by introducing a Cabinet system, and he changed the semi-feudal provincial system into a modern administration with provinces (changwat) and districts (amphur).

More importantly, he also declared amnesty for all political prisoners, and abolished slavery.

Thailand's first railroad, from Bangkok to Ayutthaya, was opened during his reign in 1896.

The king also replaced the traditional lunar calendar with the Western calendar and, in 1896, introduced the modern system of banknotes.

This was achieved through the appointment of Alfred Mitchell-Innes, a British diplomat who came to Thailand for three years to work as the king's financial adviser.

King Chulalongkorn also declared religious freedom, allowing Christianity and Islam to be practised in his Buddhist Kingdom.

 The Nation