Royal Biography of King Rama III - His Majesty King Phra Maha Jesada Raj Chao :
The Father of Thai Commerce, and
The Father of Traditional Thai Medicine
His Majesty King Rama III - King Phra Maha Jesada Raj Chao was the eldest son of His Majesty King Phutthaloetla Naphalai and Chao Chom Manda Riam (later elevated to the royal title of Somdet Phra Sri Sulalai, the Queen Mother). He was born on Monday, March 31, 2330 BE (1787 CE) at Phra Racha Wang Derm Royal (Thonburi Palace).
At that time, King Rama III's father - King Rama II has not yet acceded to the throne, holding the royal title of Somdet Phra Chao Luk Ya Thoe Chao Fa Krom Luang Isarasunthorn, while his mother was a commoner, a royal daughter-in-law named Mom Riam. Therefore, upon his birth, he held the title of "Mom Chao Thap." Later, in 2349 B.E. (1806 A.D.), His Majesty the King's father was crowned as Somdet Phra Maha Uparaj Krom Phra Ratchawang Bowon Sathan Mongkol, and he then held the title of "Phra Chao Lan Thoe Phra Ong Chao Thap" (Prince Thap), according to tradition.
When he reached the age to be ordained as a monk, His Majesty King Phutthayodfa Chulaloke Maharaj (King Rama I), his grandfather, graciously granted permission for him to be ordained at Wat Phra Sri Rattana Satsadaram, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
He then resided at Wat Rajsitharam in Bangkok Yai during the Buddhist Lent.
In 2356 B.E. (1813 A.D.), at the age of 26, he was bestowed the title of "Prince Krom Muen Jesadabodin." His father King Rama II placed great trust in him, appointing him to oversee the Department of Ports, the Department of the Royal Treasury, the Department of Police, and the handling of legal cases—important government functions at that time. In addition, he was also entrusted with serving as the King's representative in various official duties.
His Majesty King Phra Maha Jesada Raj Chao served his father King Rama II with unwavering loyalty, goodwill towards the country, and compassion for his subjects. During the time of national financial hardship, he presented his personal funds, earned from trading with merchant vessels from various countries, to his father to alleviate the hardship. This led King Rama II to affectionately call him "Chao Sua" (wealthy merchant). Furthermore, he established a soup kitchen to feed the impoverished people in front of Tha Phra Palace, his residence at the time.
In 1824, King Rama II passed away without appointing a successor. The royal family and officials met and unanimously agreed to invite Prince Jesadabodin, the King's son, to ascend the throne as the third King of Rattanakosin. He succeeded the King on Wednesday, July 21, 1824. The royal title bestowed upon him on his coronation day, August 1, 1824, continued to use the same title as Kings Rama I and II. The general public did not refer to the monarch by his name, but simply called him "Phra Phutthachao Yu Hua" (the King of the Nation).
Later, in 1851, King Mongkut (Rama IV) performed a ceremony to inscribe a new royal title on the royal title plaque.
"His Majesty King Phra Nangklao, King Rama III"
Later, in 1918, King Vajiravudh (King Rama VI) bestowed a new name upon His Majesty King Rama III: "His Majesty King Rama III Sri Sintharamaha Jesadabodin Phra Nang Klao Chao Yu Hua."
The abbreviated royal name is "His Majesty King Paramintharamaha Jesadabodin Phra Nang Klao Chao Yu Hua."
The abbreviated royal name is "JPR," meaning "His Majesty King Paramintharamaha Jesadabodin Borom Rachathirat."
In 1995, senior monks from 15 temples submitted a letter proposing that His Majesty King Rama III be given the royal title "Dhammika Maharat." Subsequently, the Cabinet resolved to use three forms of His Majesty King Rama III's name:
- "His Majesty King Rama III Phra Nang Klao Chao Yu Hua"
- "Phra Maha Jesadarat Chao"
- "His Majesty King Rama III Phra Maha Jesadarat Chao"
which means... "The Great King, whose heart was steadfast in performing his royal duties."
King Rama III passed away at the Eastern Chakraphat Phiman Throne Hall on Wednesday, April 2, 1851, at the age of 63 years and 2 days. He reigned for 28 years, and his total reign period lasted 26 years, 8 months, and 12 days.
He had 22 sons and 29 daughters, totaling 51 children, from 35 royal consorts. Of these, 38 were born before his coronation, and 13 were born after his coronation. He did not appoint any of his consorts as queens. His sons and daughters held the title of Phra Ong Chao (Prince/Princess). His royal lineage continues through 13 royal branches: Siriwong, Komen, Kanejon, Ngonroth, Laddawal, Chumsai, Piyakorn, Uraipong, Annop, Lamyong, Suban, Singharaj, and Chompunuch.
Throughout His Majesty's reign, he conducted royal duties that brought immense benefits to the nation and its people in every aspect, such as:
1. Administration and Governance: He reorganized the country's administration, establishing 40 new cities, such as Khon Kaen, Ubon, Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, among others. He prepared national defense by building and developing forts, and digging and developing numerous canals to facilitate transportation.
2. Security, Peace, and Order: He accepted petitions from the people via the hung Vinijchaiperi Drum (drum of judgment), issued new royal decrees and laws, implemented social regulations allowing citizens to help apprehend criminals within a 5-line radius of the scene of the incident, suppressed secret societies, and decisively cracked down on opium, even to the point of seizing and burning opium. There was a melting down of the opium containers to create the Phra Phuttha Sretthamuni Buddha image to be enshrined in the sermon hall of Wat Suthat Thep Wararam. He also suppressed the rebellion of the Laotian Royal Chao Anuwong and various acts of terrorism in Cambodia, Vietnam, and the southern region.
3. Foreign affairs: This was a prominent and important area of work. He established international relations by signing the first Treaty of Friendship and Commerce with England in 1826, and later with the United States. He was highly successful in maritime trade with neighbouring countries such as China, Penang, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Bengal, etc., generating significant income for the country. Importantly, some of his accumulated wealth became what were known as "the Red Bag Money," which was used to solve the country’s problems and saved the nation during the colonial invading era. He also developed fairer systems of foreign trade taxation and domestic taxation, as well as improving treasury management.
It can be said that he had a long-term vision in economics and commerce.
Thus it was highly appropriate to honor King Rama III as the "Father of Thai Commerce," befitting his immense contributions in this field of expertise.
4. Religion, literature, art, fine arts, and architecture: He oversaw the construction and restoration of 59 temples, created Buddha images, compiled scriptures, and nurtured young people to help uphold Buddhism. He encouraged those who had been ordained as monks to pursue education. In architecture, he adapted the "royal favorite" style to suit the status of the country at that time. This also applied to literature, art, fine arts, and mural painting.
5. Education: He established an "open university" at Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkalaram (Wat Pho) and Wat Yannawa, and promoted modern education and foreign languages.
6. Modern healthcare: smallpox vaccination was introduced during his reign.
7. Publication of the Thai language: Printing of legal announcements, such as the Prohibition on opium smoking.
etc.
The government has erected royal monuments to King Rama III to honour and express gratitude for his benevolence, and bring auspiciousness to the people who come to pay homage at several locations:
1. At the Maha Jesadabodin Royal Pavilion on Ratchadamnoen Central Road, at the foot of Phan Fa Lilat Bridge, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok. The Royal
Homage-paying Ceremony is on March 31st every year.
2. In front of the city gate, Mueang District, Kanchanaburi Province. The Royal
Homage-paying Ceremony is on March 8th every year.
3. In front of the 11th Infantry Division, Somdet Phra Nangklao Camp, Mueang District, Chachoengsao Province. The Royal Homage-paying Ceremony is on October 15th every year.
4. At Phra Maha Jesadarat Chao Camp (Samaesarn Camp), Marine Corps, Phluta Luang Subdistrict, Sattahip District, Chonburi Province. Open for homage at all times.
5. In front of the ship statue, Wat Yannawa, Sathorn District, Bangkok.
6. At Wat Chalerm Phra Kiat, Nonthaburi Province.
7. At Wat Khongkharam, Phetchaburi Province.
There are also two bronze statues of King Rama III. One is enshrined at the Phra Thep Bidon Palace within the Grand Palace, which is regularly open to the public for royal homage, and the other is at the Sermon Hall of Wat Ratchanaddaram Worawihan.
The government has declared March 31st as "King Rama III Commemoration Day," with a state ceremony to pay homage to the royal monument at the
Maha Jesadabodin Royal Pavilion.
King Rama III's last words before his passing, which Thais in subsequent generations should always remember and reflect upon regarding the state of the country, even 152 years later, were:
“There will likely be no more wars with Vietnam or Burma.
The only remaining threat will be from the Westerners. Be careful not to be defeated by them.
Whatever their ideas and practices are, learn from them,
but do not blindly admire or revere them.”