The Great King Who Is in Thai’s Hearts Forever
By Little Writer
Do you know in October has an important date for all Thai people? It is “Piyamaharaj Day” or the day of King Chulalongkorn. It is on the 23rd October of every year. Why is this date important? This date is important because it is the date that King Chulalongkorn passed away. King Chulalongkorn was the fifth king of Chakri dynasty who made a big change for Thailand. He developed Thailand in many ways. Thus, Thai people love and worship him.
King Chulalongkorn was born on the 20th September 1853, a son of King Rama the Fourth. He was the king of Thailand when he was only 16. He was too young, so his regent worked on behalf of him until he was 20. He went to the throne and became the king of Thailand officially on the 15th September 1873.
In his reign, he went to many countries in Europe to see how they developed themselves and came back to apply that knowledge to Thailand. He made a big change for Thailand. First thing he did was dismissing slavery. That freed all slaves in Thailand who was treated badly. He developed many ways such as education that women can learn in schools, transportation: built a railway system, roads and others, built water supply system, built electricity supply system, built post system, etc. What he did has made people have a better quality of life. The very important thing he did for Thailand was protecting Thailand from being colonized by France and the United Kingdom by building close friendship with them and giving some parts of land to them. It was a great success for Thailand. King Chulalongkorn passed away on the 23rd October 1910 at the age of 58.
After that, King Mongkutklao or King Rama the Sixth would like to make a day for his father, King Chulalongkorn because he gave Thailand a lot of favor. Thus the government announced that on the 23rd October of every year is “Piyamaharaj Day” or the day of King Chulalongkorn in order to show gratefulness to him.
On “Piyamaharaj Day”, people and the government pay a respect to and put a flower garland at the King Chulalongkorn Statue at the Royal Plaza, Dusit District, Bangkok. Besides, they make merit for King Chulalongkorn by offering food to monks and going to the temple. Every school also makes the exhibition of King Chulalongkorn that displays his biography and his work for developing Thailand to honor him.
Thai people believe that to worship King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V) will bring them auspiciousness. We would like to recommend you good amulets of King Rama V so that good things will come to you. See these links below:
1.
http://www.billionmore.com/product/detail.php?code=PBUPZ3431&size=1&unit=1&name=&number=&frontnum=no&patches=0&replace=0
2.
http://www.billionmore.com/product/detail.php?code=PBUPZ3592R&size=1&unit=1&name=&number=&frontnum=no&patches=0&replace=0
3.
http://www.billionmore.com/product/detail.php?code=PGOPZ1387R&size=1&unit=1&name=&number=&frontnum=no&patches=0&replace=0
4.
http://www.billionmore.com/product/detail.php?code=PBUPZ3098&size=1&unit=1&name=&number=&frontnum=no&patches=0&replace=0
Sources: http://hilight.kapook.com/view/29980
Wikipedia