November 2010 - National Museum Volunteers

longest reign of a Chakri monarch. The opening event, the unveiling of the
statue on November 11th 1908 ‘was as momentous as the monument itself’.
The celebration drew thousands of people. The statue may look nothing out of
the norm today, but it was very new to the masses in Siam a century ago. In
Siam as with other Indic cultures the animal most associated with royalty and
power was not a horse but the elephant. On ceremonial occasions the King
was by custom borne by officers on a palanquin. He did not ride a horse.
The larger than life bronze statue was realistic, emphasizing Western aesthetics
and anatomy instead of traditional idealization and mysticism. The King was
shown as a cavalier, in European- style military uniform with a tasseled hat,
high-top boots and a long sword on his left side. The muscular and majestic
royal horse seems to bear the King effortlessly
The money to build the statue was raised by public donation. Over 1,000,000
baht was raised
This statue has continued to touch the people dearly throughout the years since
the King’s death in 1910. It is now widely worshipped as a holy idol, especially
so by the cult of King Rama V (Sadej Poh Ror Ha)
Thai scholars speak of the worship of King Chulalongkorn developing into a cult
during the heyday of the economic boom in the 1990s. Many upper class merchants
and self-employed businessmen adopted him as a patron saint. The
devotees believe that faith in King Chulalongkorn can bring miracles and success.
Some even think King Chulalongkorn’s spirit descends from heaven and
returns to earth through this statue on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
King Rama I, commissioned by King Prajadhipok (Rama VII)
Reign 1925-1935
From the Sixth Reign the monarchy’s immense popularity went into decline.
King Rama VI lacked the charisma of his father. He had an eccentric
personality and spent hugely; royal expenditure averaged ten percent of the
state revenue in his reign. During the Sixth Reign there were two aborted
military coups.
When King Prajadhipok succeeded to the throne he made some half hearted
plans for introducing a constitution and a house of representatives. Then the
Great Depression hit Thailand. In an effort to rejuvenate the reputation of the
Monarchical government the gigantic Monument of King Rama I was commissioned
to commemorate the 150 anniversary of Bangkok in 1932. At the time
there were rumours that the government would be overthrown at anytime. Also
the monarchy was haunted by the old prophesy that Chakri rule would only last
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