The Kingdom of Rattanakosin
This report will provide the information about the history of Rattanakosin Kingdom in which divided into 2 parts; from King Rama I to the reign of King Rama III and the other part is from King Rama IV to the present King. For the first part of the Rattanakosin period, it was mostly considered on the predominant Ayutthaya polity model. However, the pattern began to modified later during the reign of Rama IV. To consider the second part, it was conspicuous on the modernization and tangible reformation of the Kingdom. This report includes life and social in the Rattanakosin society, politic and administration and foreign relation.
Part 1: Rama I to Rama III (1782-1851)

The Chakri Dynasty Bicentennial and the reconstruction of the Thai State
On 6 April 1782, Somdech Chao Phya Maha Kasatsuek was the nobleman during the reign of King Taksin. He returned to Thonburi and became the first king of the Rattanakosin Period. He also founded the Chakri Dynasty which is the current ruling house of the Thai State. He moved the capital across Chaophraya river and established Bangkok as the new capital city of the Thai State at 6:54 hrs on Sunday 21 April 1782 (Dhammathai, n.d.) Since the King considered the City of Thonburi, West Bangkok, as a limited area which was not as good as the eastern bank. For the reasons were that the river surrounded more than half of the land which was difficult to defend the enemies in case of a direct assault in the future and since Thonburi, being on the West side of Chao Phya River where it made it’s concave bend, the city was eroded by tidal erosions. Hence, King Rama I decided to choose Bangkok as the capital city instead.

Life and Society
During the reign of King Rama I, his most important task was the revision of national culture. He reconstructed a new royal palace and Buddhist temples, collected literature, and appointed a commission of legal experts to revise the law (The Government Public Relations Department, n.d.). One of his first actions was to reestablish Buddhist monkhood, associating church to purify the doctrine (Tangsathaporn, n.d.) Of these temples, the well-known one was Wat-Phra-Keo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), which is regarded as the most important one in Thailand, was also built during his reign (Dhammathai, n.d.). features were laws of evidence, trial by ordeal, family law and law of appeal. For the reign of King Rama II or Phra Buddha Lert Lah Napalai (1809-1824), there was a prosperous in literary production whether in the field of arts, poetry and drama. The most significant discovery in Thailand’s history of music came in the reign of King Rama II. Thai music started to be developed in several ways (Tangsathaporn, n.d.). The size of a Thai band was enlarged from 5-6 to 10-12 musicians. King Rama II was remarkably talented for composing and for playing the saw-sam-sai, a three-stringed Thai instrument (The History of Thailand, n.d.). His talent was clearly reflected in immortal song called Bulun Loy Luen which means the floating moon. He also wrote such well-known works such as Inao and Ramakien. During his reign, the King prohibited people from gambling or consuming opium (The Government Public Relations). King Rama I established a commission of legal experts to revise the country's laws in 1805. The result of its work was the Laws of Three Seals or the Law Code of 1805-1808 that had been used for ruling the country (Vallibhotama, 2007). The code was more than a trivial restatement of the prevailing of civil and criminal law. It also contained the royal decrees and edicts in which it’s main partment, n.d.). He promoted Buddhism and pronounced Wisaka Bucha Day as a national day and being celebrated for 3 days and 3 nights every year. Other activities included the repairing of the existing temples and the building of new ones. The subsequent activity included the “Prang” of Wat Arun which literally means Temple of Dawn as symbolic of Thailand for all foreigners.
To consider King Rama III or King Nangklao Chao You Hua (1824-1851), he preserved and restored several Buddhist monuments and palaces which were constructed during the reign of King Rama the first. He built many temples including the temple of the reclining Buddha and also enlarged Wat Po along with construction pagodas.

Foreign Relation
The Burmese remained a threat to the Thai kingdom during this reign and launched several attacks on Thai territory (The History of Thailand, n.d.). He fought 7 times against the Burmese army, most remarkably in 1785 when the Burmese army tried to invade Siam (The History of Thailand, n.d.). King Rama I not only drove out these invading armies but also launched a bold counter-attack as retaliation, invading Tavoy in Lower Burma (Tangsathaporn, n.d.). The following year, the Burmese army tried again to attack Ta Din Daeng and Samsop in Kanchanaburi but was defeated. The recovery of the Thai state's place and prestige in the region was one of King Rama l's major achievements. During King Rama II’s reign, in 1822, Dr. John Crawfurd came to Siam as the British diplomat in order to negotiate with the Siamese owing to the diminution of custom duties, but ,unfortunately, the negotiation between two countries tend to be failure (Wyatt, 2002). The trade between countries was fully emphasized especially China during the reign of king Rama III. To bring foreign revenue to the National Treasury, King Rama III promoted the trade mainly with China and some British people. In 1826,King Rama III considered deeper relation with the British since then the British sent Captain Henry Burney, the English Envoy on the part of the English Government to met King Rama III (The History of Thailand, n.d.). This brought about the Burney Treaty of commerce and friendship between Siam and Great Britain to later be signed. Concluding the Burney Treaty and a commercial contract, it stimulates the development of regional trade between Siam and Europe to replace all other taxes for every two metres of a ship beam (Wyatt, 2002). Additionally, having negotiated a mutually agreed border between Siam and British-occupied Burma, only the exact course of the border at Three Pagodas Pass in Kanchanaburi remained in dispute (Ngaosyvatsehn, 1998).

Part 2:the Rama IV to Rama IX (1851-Present)
Life and Society King Rama IV’s reign (1851-1869), known among Westerners as King Mongkut in “Anna and the King of Siam” who had a unique personality and left dominant meritoriousness on his country regarding to his keen mind and his quest for knowledge led him into encounters and situations which no Thai king had experienced before (Tangsathaporn, n.d.). He conducted religious discussions with American missionaries who lived in Bangkok aiming to argue with them about the differences in belief of the Christian and Buddhist religions (Wyatt, 2002). King Mongkut also employed an English woman to instruct his children in the English language. To consider the religious participation, he provided a profound knowledge of Buddhism and he also purified the ceremony and practices so that they would adapt to what the Buddha taught during his days. He gave freedom to people to allow them practicing any religion they preferred. During the reign of King Rama V or King Chulalongkorn (1869-1910), he established the first refined school at a Wat (วัด) as the king became concerned about the manner children were taught for there were no rules or regulations and no set schedule at that time (The Government Public Relations Department, n.d.). In 1873, there was a devised in Raj Pattern Dress. The costumes and appearance of royal characters in the mural reflect the culture from Bangkok, these costumes as such ‘Raj Pattern’ growing mustache and having Mahatthai hairvut for the man were influenced by the Western during the reign of Rama V King Rama IV or King Vijiravudh was very patriotic and tried to give his people a sense of nationalism. He promoted music and dancing and be the one who founded the Wild Tiger Corps and trained them as a territorial army (Wyatt, 2002). He established the committee of the Boy Scouts to train the young people to think about other people(The History of Thailand, n.d.). Free education for children 7-14 years to the Matthayom 7 was made compulsory. He also established Chulalongkorn University as a memorial to his father. Focusing on the reign of King Maha Prachadipok or King Rama VII (1925-1935). He constructed the Memorial Bridge to celebrate the 150th year of Bangkok, and developed the country to the West of Bangkok. He established the Fisheries Section in the Ministry of Agriculture. The present King, Bhumibol Adulyadej (1946-present), From outside of Thailand, the King seems to be much like other modern kings - quiet, dignified, with plenty of hobbies to fill his free time (Tangsathaporn, n.d.) However, to the Thai people he is the real Buddhist "Dharmaraja" and an avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu. As such, he is protected by strict Thailand lese majeste laws.
Most Thai citizens genuinely love and respect their king. However, anyone who feels otherwise, and criticizes Bhumibol or any other member of the royal family (living or dead), will receive punishment to be but in prison for fifteen years.
Foreign Relation
Burney Treaty
The King was reluctant to give in to British demands, but his advisors warned him that Siam would meet the same fate as Burma unless the British were accommodated. In 1826, therefore, Siam concluded its first commercial treaty with a western power, the Treaty of Amity and Commerce or can also be called the Burney Treaty.
The Bowring Treaty (Rama IV)
In late Rama III, Siam used monopoly policy again that against the Burney Treaty. This resulted trading disputes between Siam and Britain. In 1855 (Rama IV), the British made Bowring treaty that forced Siamese to be under British trading at last. British was allowed to trade with Siamese directly without any interference by third person. In 1850 the British and Americans sent missions to Bangkok demanding the end of all restrictions on trade, the establishment of a western-style government and immunity for their citizens from Siamese law.
Economically, from its foundation, Rattanakosin witnessed the growing role of Chinese merchants, who were chased out before by king Taksin. Beside merchants, Chinese who were farmers, endlessly came to seek fortune in the new kingdom
On 22 July 1917, King Rama IV supported the Allies by sending a Thai troop force to Europe, He finally gained postwar goodwill among the great power out of all proportion to the importance of the brave and proficient. He diminished the injustice agreements that the Siam had made with German, Austria and Hungary on the extraterritorial rights and consular courts.
During the reign of King Rama III, there was the war between Vietnam and Siam in which Vietnam aimed to overtake Cambodia to be the vassal states (The Government Public Relations Department, n.d.). However, later France colonized over Vietnam so the war ended in which the Cambodian King still had to send tributes to Vietnam.

Politic and Administration relation during the Rattanakosin era
Rama V began close contact with the western powers so that Siam could avoid being colonized. King Chulalongkorn himself was educated by Westerners, and was intent on reforming the monarchy along Western lines (The History of Thailand, n.d.). First he abolished the practice of kneeling and crawling in front of the monarch and repealed many laws concerning the relationship between the monarch and his people. Instead he created a monarchy based on western lines of an ‘enlightened ruler’; absolute but enlightened. However he continued to preserve many ancient aspects and rituals of the old kingship, including his religious and feudal powers (Tangsathaporn, n.d.). His son King Vajiravudh (or Rama VI) (succeeded in 1910) continued his father’s zeal for reform and brought the monarchy into the 20th century (Dhammathai, n.d.). He was succeeded by his brother King Prajadhipok (or Rama VII) in 1925.
King Nang Klao, Rama III (1824-1851) reopened relations with western nations and developed trade with China (The Government Public Relations Department, n.d.). King Mongkut, Rama IV, (1851-1868) of "The King and I" concluded treaties with European countries, avoided colonization and established modern Thailand. He made many social and economic reforms during his reign.
King Chulalongkorn, Rama V (1869-1910) continued his father's tradition of reform, abolishing slavery and improving the public welfare and administrative system. Compulsory education and other educational reforms were introduced by King Vajiravudh, Rama VI (1910-1925). During the reign of King Prajadhipok, (1925-1935), Thailand changed from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy (Vallibhotama, 2007). The king abdicated in 1933 and was succeeded by his nephew, King Ananda Mahidol (1935-1946). The country's name was changed from Siam to Thailand with the advent of democratic government in 1939.

From absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy
The absolute monarchy ceased to exist in 1932 during the reign of King Rama VII when a group of young intellectuals, educated abroad and imbued with the concept of Western democracy, staged a bloodless coupdetat, demanding a change from absolute to a constitutional monarchy. Determined to avoid any bloodshed, His Majesty King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) agreed to the abolition of absolute monarchy and the transfer of power to the constitution form of government as demanded (Vallibhotama, 2007). This reign, Phrya Manopakorn Nititada was appointed to be the first Prime Minister of Thailand (Tangsathaporn, n.d.). On 10 December 1932, His Majesty King Prajadhipok signed Thailand first constitution and thus ended 700 years of Thailand absolute monarchy. Despite the number of successive constitutions that followed in the span of just over half a century, the basic concepts of constitutional government and monarchy laid down in the 1932 constitution have remained unaltered. The Present Constitution of 1979 was not much different from the previous ones. It contains provisions relating to the democratic form of government, the people, the law making process and the safeguarding of the independence of the judicial branch. He also announced and promoted the law for Co-operative promotion. King Maha Prachadipok also found the rules for Civil Service administration in 1928 and reorganized the Family Law and started marriage registration, divorce registration, adopted child registration and created a fashion of one-wife one-husband in a family.
To consider the reign of present king, King Bhumiphol Adulyadej or King Rama IX (1946-present). At first, Thailand was ruled by military dictator Plaek Pibulsonggram until 1957, when the first of a long series of coups removed him from office. King Bhumiphol declared martial law during the crisis (Tangsathaporn, n.d.). The martial law is the law that prohibited everyone to hang around on the street after 6 o’clock in the evening and no meeting of political reason more than 5 people are allowed. Hence, it ended with a new dictatorship forming under the king's close ally Sarit Dhanarajata.
Sarit died in 1963, and was succeeded by Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn. Ten years later, Thanom sent out the troops against huge public protests, killing hundreds of protesters. Bhumibol opened Chitralada Palace's gates to offer refuge to the demonstrators as they fled the soldiers
The king then removed Thanom from power and appointed a the first of a series of civilian leaders. In 1976, however, Thanom returned from overseas exile, sparking another round of demonstrations that ended in the October 6 Massacre, in which 46 students were killed and 167 injured at Thammasat University.
In the aftermath of the massacre, Admiral Sangad Chaloryu staged yet another coup and took power. Further coups took place in 1977, 1980, 1981, 1985 and 1991. Although King Bhumibol tried to stay above the fray, he refused to support the 1981 and 1985 coups.
When a military coup leader was selected as Prime Minister in 1992, huge protests broke out in Thailand's cities. The demonstrations turned into riots, and the police and military were rumored to be dividing into factions (Tangsathaporn, n.d.). Fearing a civil war, King Bhumibol called the coup leader and the opposition leader to an audience at the palace.
Bhumibol was able to pressure the coup leader into resigning; new elections were called, and a civilian government was elected. This intervention by the king was the beginning of an era of civilian-led democracy that has continued with just one interruption to this day (Tangsathaporn, n.d.) Bhumibol's image as an advocate for the people, reluctantly intervening in the political fray to protect his subjects, was cemented by this success.
Law at the Present time The absolute monarchy ceased to exist in 1932 during the reign of King Rama VII when the bloodless revolution was successfully staged (Peleggi, 2007). The government took the form of constitutional monarchy after that time.The constitutions, constantly amended and revised during the last 49 years, have been the supreme law of the land. The present Constitution of 1997 was not much different from the previous ones. It contained provisions relating to the democratic form of government, the positions of the monarch, fundamental rights of the people, the law-making process and the safeguarding A bill may be initiated by either the executive branch or the parliament. The proposed bill would customarily be scrutinized by a relevant sub-committee and debated in a general assembly of the house. After confirmation by the senate, or re-confirmation by a statutory quorum of the house in case of the Senate’s veto, the bill is passed by a royal promulgation. The Executive may, in time of exigency, enact Royal Ordinances in the absence of a Parliamentary resolution.

References
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