Mongkut
Mongkut (Thai: มงกุฏ; 18 October 1804 – 1 October 1868) was the fourth king of Siam under the House of Chakri, titled Rama IV. He ruled from 1851 to 1868. His full title in Thai was Phra Poramenthra Ramathibodi Srisin Maha Mongkut Phra Chom Klao Chao Yu Hua Phra Sayam Thewa Maha Makut Witthaya Maharat (พระบาทสมเด็จพระปรเมนทรรามาธิบดีศรีสินทรมหามงกุฎ พระจอมเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว พระสยามเทวมหามกุฏวิทยมหาราช).
| Mongkut มงกุฎ | |
|---|---|
| King Rama IV | |
Portrait by John Thomson, c. 1865 | |
| King of Siam | |
| Reign | 2 April 1851 – 1 October 1868 |
| Coronation | 15 May 1851 |
| Predecessor | Nangklao (Rama III) |
| Successor | Chulalongkorn (Rama V) |
| Viceroy | Pinklao |
| Born | 18 October 1804 Thonburi Palace, Bangkok Yai, Bangkok, Siam |
| Died | 1 October 1868 (aged 63) Grand Palace, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok, Siam |
| Spouse | Somanass Waddhanawathy Debsirindra Pannarai and 77 concubines |
| Issue Detail | 39 sons and 43 daughters, including: Chulalongkorn (Rama V) |
| House | Chakri dynasty |
| Father | Phutthaloetla Naphalai (Rama II) |
| Mother | Sri Suriyendra |
| Religion | Theravada |
| Signature | |
| Mongkut | |
|---|---|
Privy Seal | |
| Thai name | |
| Thai | พระบาทสมเด็จพระปรเมนทรรามาธิบดีศรีสินทรมหามงกุฎ พระจอมเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว พระสยามเทวมหามกุฏวิทยมหาราช |
| RTGS | Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramenthra Ramathibodi Srisin Maha Mongkut Phra Chom Klao Chao Yu Hua Phra Sayam Thewa Maha Makut Witthaya Maharat |
Outside Thailand, Mongkut is best known as the king in the 1951 musical and 1956 film The King and I, based on the 1946 film Anna and the King of Siam—in turn based on a 1944 novel by an American author about Anna Leonowens' years at his court, from 1862 to 1867, drawn from Leonowens' memoir.
Siam first felt the pressure of Western expansionism during Mongkut's reign. Mongkut embraced Western innovations and initiated the modernization of his country, both in technology and culture—earning him the nickname "The Father of Science and Technology" in Siam.
Mongkut was also known for appointing his younger brother, Prince Chutamani, as Second King, crowned in 1851 as King Pinklao. Mongkut told the country that Pinklao should be respected with equal honor to himself (as King Naresuan had done with his brother Ekathotsarot in 1583). During Mongkut's reign, the power of the House of Bunnag reached its zenith: It became the most powerful noble family of Siam.