Chulalongkorn Day In Thailand

Chulalongkorn Day is also known as Piyamaharaj Day in Thailand and is celebrated every year on October 23 in the memory of one of Thailand’s most respected kings, King Chulalongkorn. Chulalongkorn established his throne after the death of his father King Mongkut at the tender age of 15. During his rule he took major decisions for the development of Thailand. The most important one amongst them was abolition of slavery in Thailand. He played a vital role in modernizing Thailand. He traveled all over the world and had good relations with the world’s most powerful countries like Britain, Russia, France. As a part of modernization, the King constructed railways, postal services.

During King Chulalongkorn’s reign there was no communication system and there were no proper transport facilities. Horses, oxcarts and elephants were the only means of transport. He played a major role in establishing the communication systems and improving the transportation system. During his trips abroad, he spent time learning about the western communications and transportation systems and upon his return to Thailand, he set about implementing them in his country. He reformed the rules of law, established a proper judicial system and introduced compulsory military system and improved the nation’s defense. He also encouraged ordinary Thai citizens to send their children abroad for higher studies.

The King Chulalongkorn reigned for forty two years and during his reign he transformed Thailand from a small traditional kingdom to a modern nation. He was considered as the only successful monarch all over the world. One will find his photograph nearly in every house in Thailand which shows that even today the people of Thailand love and respect him for taking their country onto the road of development and modernization.

Chulalongkorn Day In Thailand
By Pauline Go