October 23rd, "Piyamaharaj Day," a day to commemorate His Majesty's great benevolence.
The monarch who laid the foundation for Siam's democratic system, is commemorated annually on October 23rd by the Thai people with heartfelt remembrance of His Majesty King Chulalongkorn (Rama V).
"King Chulalongkorn," the beloved monarch of his people, led Siam through a period of great change and laid the foundation for the progress and prosperity that has led to the Thailand of today.
The title "Phra Piyamaharaj" means "the beloved great king of the people," a title not bestowed by chance, but stemming from his tireless dedication throughout his reign to the happiness of his people and the well-being of the nation.
Significant royal duties that transformed the face of Thailand.
1. Abolition of slavery and serfdom: Restoring freedom and human dignity.
One of His Majesty's greatest achievements was the abolition of slavery and serfdom. Through his wisdom and shrewd methods, he gradually reformed the laws over a period of more than 30 years, successfully abolishing slavery without bloodshed and restoring freedom and human dignity to millions of Thai people.
2. Reform of national structure and education.
He completely reformed the system of public administration, transforming it from the previous four-pillar system to a system of "ministries" based on international standards, and decentralizing governance to the regions. Furthermore, he promoted education by opening schools for the general public and establishing a royal scholarship fund to send Thai students to study abroad, bringing back knowledge to develop the nation.
3. Laying the foundation for basic infrastructure.
The conveniences we enjoy today all originated during his reign, including:
Railways and Telegraphs: He inaugurated the first railway line (Bangkok - Nakhon Ratchasima) and established a postal and telegraph system for communication.
Water and electricity: Implementing electricity and water systems from the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority to improve the health and quality of life of the citizens.
Public health: He established Siriraj Hospital, the first royal hospital in the country.
4. Foreign relations and the preservation of national independence.
In an era when Western powers were aggressively pursuing imperialism, King Rama V wisely employed his political and diplomatic skills. He traveled to Europe twice to forge alliances with various nations and willingly sacrificed some territory to preserve the independence and sovereignty of the majority. This made Siam one of the few countries in the region that never became a colony of a Western power.
We humbly remember His Majesty's boundless compassion.
On the occasion of the anniversary of the passing of His Majesty King Chulalongkorn, October 23rd, Piyamaharaj Day.
With the boundless royal grace bestowed upon the nation, we, the Thai people, humbly remember and acknowledge the immense kindness of His Majesty, which will forever remain a radiant light in the hearts of all Thais.
We, the committee of the Sufficiency Family Foundation and the Sufficiency Family Centers nationwide.