King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V) was born in 1853 and reigned until 1910, a total of 42 years. His reign extended the process of change that had begun under his father, King Mongkut (King Rama IV), at a time when Siam faced continuous pressure from the expanding influence of colonial powers. These circumstances forced the kingdom to adapt in many dimensions, from governance and law to education and infrastructure, so that it could be respected by the West as a modern nation.

A central feature of his reign was the abolition of slavery and the corvée labour system, both of which were replaced with a free labour force. The administrative structure of the kingdom was transformed through the introduction of the Thesaphiban system, establishing a modern hierarchy of provinces, districts, and subdistricts. He initiated comprehensive infrastructure development, including railways, canals, postal services, telegraph and telephone systems, electricity, and waterworks.

In governance, King Chulalongkorn created councils of ministers and advisers and established modern ministries to manage specific areas of administration. Education was also a major priority: he expanded public access to schooling in order to build a capable, modern civil service. Among his contributions was royal approval of Prince Damrong Rajanubhab’s proposal to establish Phratamnak Suankularb School (later Suankularb Wittayalai School). This school became a model for modern education and continued to be under his patronage even after its expansion.

His reign also saw the painful reality of losing territory to colonial powers. Parts of Siam’s eastern territories were ceded to France, while the west and southern regions were lost to Britain. To preserve the sovereignty of Siam, King Chulalongkorn actively developed diplomatic relations with European and Asian countries, travelling abroad to strengthen these ties. He believed that a modernised Siam, with educated officials and reformed administration, was key to maintaining independence. Members of the royal family were sent abroad for higher studies, bringing back knowledge to serve the country. Within Siam, modern schools were established with a focus on Western-style education to ensure that citizens could participate in a reformed civil service.

The King also supported the preservation and development of Thai arts and crafts so that these traditions could be modernised and sustained, rather than being lost under the influence of Western culture. This vision was carried forward by the Ministry of Public Instruction, which eventually led to the establishment of the School of Arts and Crafts (Poh Chang Academy of Fine Arts) during the reign of King Vajiravudh (King Rama VI).

Infrastructure was one of the strongest areas of progress during this reign. He encouraged the introduction of the tramway system, which became the first form of urban mass transport in Bangkok before the railway and buses. Remarkably, Bangkok’s electric tram was the first of its kind in Asia. Another milestone was the introduction of electricity: after observing its benefits during a European mission, Chao Phraya Thammasakmontri (Choeum Saengchuto) brought the idea back to Siam. This led to the creation of the Siam Electricity Company. King Chulalongkorn later granted permission for the full establishment of electricity services in Siam. Electricity, in turn, made it possible to expand other infrastructure, including the electric tram.

In terms of urban planning, the King introduced Western ideas to improve the appearance and order of Bangkok. The market area of Tha Tien, which had been a large and crowded trading hub since the early Rattanakosin period, was redeveloped. Rows of shophouses were built to replace the traditional open-air market, bringing a cleaner and more orderly look in the style of European cities. Similarly, Saranrom Park, originally a royal garden within the Saranrom Palace created under King Mongkut, was transformed during the early years of his reign into a botanical garden designed by Henry Alabaster. It was landscaped in the style of Western gardens and planted with rare species, serving as a public space for leisure and learning.

In a broad sense, King Chulalongkorn reshaped Siam on many fronts: governance and administration, the delineation of territorial units, the development of modern education and civil service, the construction of infrastructure, and the redesign of urban spaces. His vision, rooted in progress and modernity, allowed Siam to stand as a reformed state that could withstand colonial pressures while preserving its sovereignty and cultural identity.