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ROYAL
MAIL OF SIAM: Legacy of the Chakri Dynasty
12 Jan - 30 June 2002
The
Exhibition
In the Royal Mail of Siam exhibition, the Thai way of life
and its people are reflected through a selection of contemporary
stamps which also provides a platform for appreciating the
critical role played by King Mongkut and King Chulalongkorn.
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The
Siam Royal Mail collection, an award winning collection
on loan from Ms Indosuphon of Thailand, displays the handwritten
letter in English by King Mongkut and the red silk pouch
that carried the letter with the only remaining gold royal
seal attached. Other highlights include rare covers, postcards
and documents of the royal family. This collection has won
several international philatelic awards and will be a rare
treat for stamp collectors in Singapore.
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The Two Kings of Siam
Thailand has the unique history of being the only Southeast
Asian country that retained its independence during the
period of aggressive colonisation by Western powers in
the early 17th century. This remarkable feat was the result
of several contributing factors: the geographical location
of Thailand buffered by the Indochinese states of Cambodia,
Laos and Myanmar; political developments in the West and
most instrumental, the efforts and skills of two kings
from the Chakri Dynasty - King Mongkut
and King Chulalongkorn.
Thailand's
unique political history also shaped its heritage, culture
and arts. In the 16th century, Thailand, then known as
Siam, was a secluded kingdom with limited contacts with
Chinese and Indochinese traders. Under the rule of King
Mongkut pursuing a policy of constructive engagement,
Siam opened its doors to stave off attempts at colonisation
by the West. This move paved the way for new ideas and
technology to flow into Siam under the kingdom's own terms.
As a result, Siam not only retained her independence but
also cultivated a strong sense of nationalism, cultural
integrity and pride.
The
progressive King Chulalongkorn was the first Thai monarch
to travel overseas. One of the countries he visited was
Singapore. As symbol of friendship, King Chulalongkorn
presented to Singapore a black bronze elephant, which
presently stands outside the old Government Building.
Since then, relationship between the two countries has
grown from strength to strength. Both Singapore and Thailand
are part of ASEAN and bilateral co-operation has been
increasing steadily in all areas. In 1997, the postal
authorities of Singapore and Thailand launched the first
joint-issue of stamps on the theme of shells, marking,
among other things, the friendship shared by both countries
and joint ventures in economic investments, training and
cultural exchange.
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Prince
Mongkut (1804-1868)
Prince Mongkut was born on 18 October 1804 in Bangkok
and named Chao Fah Mongkut, meaning "The High Prince
of the Crown".
When
his father (Rama II) passed away in 1824, Prince Mongkut
was only twenty and had just entered monkhood according
to the custom of the country. However, despite the fact
that he was the crown prince, his half brother Prince
Chesdabodin (Rama III) was elected to inherit the throne
instead. For the next 27 years, Prince Mongkut led a monastic
life. During this time he gained knowledge, wisdom and
an understanding of statecraft, which made him one of
the greatest rulers in the history of Thailand.
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He met people from all walks of life. From the locals, he
understood their livelihood and needs and from the foreigners,
he learned about the outside world. He also engaged himself
in intellectual pursuits, learning science, technology,
art, politics and the English language. He eventually became
the first King in Asia who spoke and wrote English proficiently.
After
King Chesdobodin died in 1851, Prince Mongkut was elected
as the next King (Rama IV). He reigned for 17 years, during
which he fervently pursued the betterment of the country
and among his top priorities were securing Siam's independence,
modernising the country and improving the living conditions
of his people.
In
1868, King Mongkut correctly calculated the time of a total
eclipse of the sun. He pinpointed a village on the western
coast lining the Gulf of Siam to witness the solar event
and invited many dignitaries and diplomats to join him,
including the Governor of Singapore, Henry Orde. Unfortunately,
the place from which he observed the solar eclipse was infested
with mosquitoes. Soon after his return to Bangkok, he fell
seriously ill from malaria and died.
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Prince
Chulalongkorn (1853-1910)
Prince Chulalongkorn was born on 20 September 1853 and
was the eldest son of King Mongkut and Queen Thepserin.
When King Mongkut died in 1868, he was only 15 and was
ill with malaria. The late King's Prime Minister, Sri
Suriyawongse, ruled as regent until the prince reached
20 in 1873.
King
Chulalongkorn (Rama V) was the first King of the Chakri
Dynasty to travel abroad. He travelled quite extensively
and had visited many places in Europe, the Straits Settlements,
the Malay States, and the Dutch East Indies. These trips
convinced King Chulalongkorn the importance of education.
Subsequently, he established public education institutions
for the masses using temples. He also started a civil
service school, sent his sons to Europe for education
and training, and even introduced scholarships for people
to study overseas.
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Like
his father, King Chulalongkorn believed that modernisation
would benefit the people. He abolished all ceremonial prostration
when he was officially crowned in 1873. He increased rice
production, implemented a major irrigation project, abolished
slavery, built railways, and improved the government's administrative
infrastructure. The result was improved living conditions
for the people.
During
the 17th century, the region faced aggressive colonisation
by Western powers. However, King Chulalongkorn managed to
establish Siam as a buffer state between British Malaya
and French Indo-China. At that time, the French eagerness
for territorial expansion threatened Siam, and while England
had wanted to retain Siam as a buffer state, she was not
prepared to offend France. To prevent a war, Britain and
France negotiated between themselves while Siam could do
little. In the process, Siam had to give up her claims to
peripheral territories bordering Indo-China and Malaya in
order to safeguard territories that were densely populated
and of greatest economic value. This act proved rewarding,
for Siam was never colonised. It remained the only country
in Southeast Asia that maintained its sovereignty throughout
the period of colonial expansionism. By the end of his reign
in 1910, King Chulalongkorn had succeeded in getting Britain
and France to recognise Siam's sovereignty over her remaining
territories, thus safeguarding the country's independence.
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