Gaybutton Posted October 23, 2007 Posted October 23, 2007 The following appears in THE NATION (see http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/10/23...es_30053467.php for photos) _____ SIAM IN EUROPE Published on October 23, 2007 Continent Marks the Visits of King Chulalongkorn The Foreign Ministry is holding exhibitions in several European cities to mark the 100th and 110th anniversaries of King Chulalongkorn's grand European tours. Tracing the Siamese king's journeys into the heart of Europe provides us with a glimpse of how he manoeuvred to steer Siam from European colonialism and how he used his first-hand knowledge gained in Europe to modernise his own country. At the time, Siam's neighbours were struggling against colonialism, but one by one they fell to the force of the West. Japan, having been forced to open up to the outside world, had been through the Meiji Restoration that revived imperial rule against shogunate power. Japan then underwent industrialisation under the slogan "Enrich the Country, Strengthen the Military". Imperial China was also struggling to come to terms with Western powers. Empress Dowager Cixi, who held power between 1861 and 1908, sought to benefit from Western technology after the experience of losing the Opium Wars. Burma no longer existed as an independent country after the fall of King Thibaw to British rule. He was removed from the throne and Burma was annexed as part of the British Empire. It became a province of India in 1886. France was securing its foothold in Indochina and Siam became a buffer state between the British and the French. King Chulalongkorn, who passed away on November 23, 1910, came to the throne in the midst of this profound political change in the region. His father, King Mongkut, had already had a hard time dealing with foreign pressure, and it was during King Chulalongkorn's reign that Siam had to walk a fine line. To remain independent, Siam had to cede territories and judicial rights, as well as pay monetary fines. King Chulalongkorn was the first Siamese king to travel abroad extensively. Before his time it had not been customary, nor had it been it practical, due to the transport limitations, for Siamese kings to venture beyond the country's borders. The only Siamese king who had gone abroad before him was King Naresuan, who travelled to Burma in the 17th century. King Chulalongkorn, arguably one of the greatest monarchs of the 19th century, had a thirst for knowledge. He was curious to see and to learn from foreign lands. In 1871, during the third year of his reign, he went to Singapore under the watchful guidance of the Regent, Chao Phraya Maha Srisuriyawongse, before continuing to Java and India. Chulalongkorn was well received in Singapore and Batavia (now Jakarta), where he had an eye-opening experience at what the Europeans had done to these colonies. He was determined to reform his kingdom through education and the knowledge of English. In 1893, the French sent their gunboats into the Chao Phya River and exchanged fire with the Siamese at Paknam, Samut Prakan. Britain intervened because it did not want France to gain complete control over Siam. As a result of the incident, Siam had to cede territories and pay fines to the French, but the British and the French eventually agreed to let Siam maintain its independence and integrity against any third power. The bitter experience of the gunboat incident provided the impetus for King Chulalongkorn to learn more about the world and the global powers, with the goal of modernising Thailand. In 1897, he started his first European tour, travelling on the Maha Chakri. He visited France and established a friendship with Tsar Nicolas II of Russia. In Germany he met with Kaiser William II. In London he met the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Connaught and the Duke of York, and stayed at Buckingham Palace, although he did not have a chance to meet Queen Victoria. He also visited Austria, Italy, Sweden and Belgium. When he returned to Siam, Chulalongkorn launched sweeping administrative reforms in order to develop the country. These proved to be the most far-reaching reforms ever made by a Siamese monarch. He also sent his children to study in Russia, Germany and England, and they returned home, well educated, to work in various ministries. It was not until a decade later in 1907 that the King embarked on his second grand European tour. This time he travelled via Singapore, Colombo and Suez before reaching Naples and making a tour of the classical Italian cities. He then journeyed on to Switzerland, Germany, France, England and Denmark. Upon his return to Siam, King Chulalongkorn was already established as the greatest king of the Chakri Dynasty. He passed away three years later, after a reign of 42 years and having brought his country to modernity. Thanong Khanthong The Nation Quote
