Thread: Memory Lane (In my own language)

(Computer colored version)

The first chancellor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the reign of King Rama V (1868-1910). He, as a commoner from the Boon-Nag lineage, was one of the very few ever who was granted a highest noble rank as ‘Somdej Chao Praya’.

He was born in the reign of King Rama III and died in 1916 in the reign of King Rama VI. His father, also being granted the highest noble rank as ‘Somdej Chao Praya’, was responsible for a lot of important duties in the reign of King Rama III.




In the reign of King Rama IV, the ‘Somdej Chao Praya’ was appointed by the King to join the Siam emissary group visiting Queen Victoria of England. His assignment was to submit the Queen the royal tribute.




But the most important assignment of all happened back after King Rama III died, he was appointed as the Regent.

Once being assigned, he then traveled to Wat Bowornniwet to visit Prince Mongkut who was a monk there and asked for the Prince’s permission to be invited to ascend to the throne.




Prince Mongkut agreed under one condition that if he was going to be given the throne, the Regent had to manage to share the throne with the Prince’s brother, Prince Juthamanee, as well because as a very expert astrologer, Prince Mongkut foresaw that his brother’s fate was very strong. He also deserved the throne as a king.

If the throne was given to Prince Mongkut only it would cause unfortunate to the land because the fate of Prince Juthamanee was hindered.

So this Somdej Chao Praya had to further his travel across the Chao Praya River to Thonburi side to the Old Palace (former palace of King Taksin’s) and asked for the permission to offer Prince Juthamanee who resided there to share the throne with his brother, Prince Mongkut.

This is the reason why the fourth reign of Siam, there were two Kings.