Thais remember the reformer king

The Nation, Asia News Network, Bangkok

On Oct. 23 every year, Thais commemorate the death of King Rama V, one of the greatest kings of the Chakri Dynasty, whose visionary leadership brought about reforms that ushered feudalistic Siam into the modern world. The most remarkable thing was that such transformation took place largely on the King's own initiative and without Thailand being subjugated by outside powers, although it cannot be denied that these initiatives were influenced by a hostile geopolitical environment at a time when great colonial powers came knocking.

Through his shrewd diplomacy, King Rama V successfully sold the idea that Siam should be a "buffer zone" between territories in Southeast Asia already seized by England and France. Siam, which was to become the modern state of Thailand, was the only country in South East Asia that remained uncolonized.

From time to time in human history, remarkable figures emerge at the right time and in the right place to make a major difference. King Rama V was one such person, and thanks to him Thailand was never the same again.

His most outstanding achievement was the introduction of Western culture and technology to the traditional society of Siam and his ability to redefine what it meant to be Thai as well as to give the nation a head start in pursuing modernization in the fast-changing world of the late 19th century.

To achieve these ends, the King set out to abolish slavery, establish a national education system and adopt Western technology, such as the building of roads and railways. Arguably his single most important contribution to the development of Thailand as a modern state was the creation of a modern education system.

At first the new schools in the country were designed specifically to train members of the elite for administrative duties as Siam embarked on a process to build up a modern nation state through the centralization of government power. Later, education was expanded to the general population in all parts of the country so people could participate more actively in the emerging market economy as productive members of Thai society.

As a reformer, King Rama V was exemplary because he was a leader with an open mind who was capable of learning from the experience of more advanced countries. The King's visits to Europe in 1897 and 1907 not only contributed to friendly diplomatic ties with the great Western powers but also provided him with a first-hand look at different models of government and the significant contribution that advanced technologies made to national development.

The King initiated new ways of doing things in this country, having gleaned information about the different European models in government and education and adapted them to suit local needs and requirements. He also provided strong leadership for change.

By the end of his illustrious 42-year reign in 1910, great advances were achieved and Siam was put on track for transformation into the modern state of Thailand. The country might have come a long way, but Thai people owe much to the great King for the extent of that progress.

As we remember our great King today, it is important to be reminded that Thais as a people who have benefited so much from his legacies have a responsibility to see that the spirit of reform and visionary thinking that the beloved monarch started over a century ago continues to guide us. After all, Thailand's quest for competitiveness in the present era of globalization is comparable to Siam's struggle to maintain its sovereignty in a world dominated by colonial expansionism.