- Rama III redirects here. For the third book in the Rama series see The Garden of Rama
Poramin Maha Jessadabodindra, Phra Nangklao Chaoyuhua (March 31, 1787 - April 2, 1851), conventionally as Rama III, was the third monarch of the Chakri dynasty of Siam (July 21, 1824 - April 2, 1851). He succeeded his father, Buddha Loetla Nabhalai, as the king of Siam. His succession was unusual according to the traditions because Jessadabodindra was a son of a concubine not of a queen. He surpassed Prince Mongkut, who was a legitimate son of Buddha Loetla Nabhalai born to Queen Srisuriyendra.
During Jessadabodindra's reign, military hegemony of Siam could be observed through a series of massive wars in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Jessadabodindra was known for his affection of Chinese culture. As a young prince, he was also known as a great merchant who conducted profitable trades with China and enriched the royal treasury.
Early Life
Prince Tub was born in 1787 to Prince Isarasundhorn and one of his concubines Chao Chom Manda Riam. Following his father's coronation in 1809, Prince Kshatriyanuchit, the surviving son of Taksin, revolted to reclaim his legitimacy. Prince Tub was assigned the task of suppressing the rebellion. He successfully accomplished his task and was praised by his father Buddha Loetla Nabhalai. Prince Tub was raised to Prince Jessadabodindra and gained a great trust from the king to handle state affairs.
Jessadabodindra served his father in Krom Tha, or the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Affairs, where he developed his proficiency in foreign trades and grew his personal affection of Chinese culture. Temples later constructed by Jessabodindra was characterized by the Chinese influences in them.
Succession
As Jessadabodindra was admionistrating the trade affairs, his half-brother Prince Mongkut pursued the way of religion. Prince Mongkut became a monk in 1824. In that year, Buddha Loetla Nabhalai died suddenly without naming a successor. According to the traditions of royal succession, Prince Mongkut as a son of queen was expected to succeed the throne. However, the nobility considered Prince Jessadabodindra a more competent choice as he had served the king in Krom Tha for years.
Jessadabodindra finally accepted the throne and the coronation was held in 1824. His mother, Riam, was raised to Princess Mother Srisuralai. Mongkut, upon perceiving the situation, decided to remain in his ecclesiastic status to avoid the intrigues of royal politics.
The British
The First Anglo-Burmese War broke out in 1823. The British requested Siamese supports in 1824. Jessadabodindra provided the fleets and elephants to rush through Burmese forests. He also sent Siamese armies to participate the invasion of Burma since the British promised Siam the conquered lands.
Phraya Chumporn ordered a massive migration out of Mergui (a common practice in Southeast Asia regarding the newly-conquered lands), which had been conquered by the British. The British frustated at Phraya Chumporn's actions and hostilities were heightened. Jessadabodindra ordered the leave of Siamese armies to avoid conflicts.
In 1825, Henry Burney arrived to negotiate peace agreements. The Burney Treaty was signed as the first treaty with the West in Rattakosin period. The free trade was established in Siam and the taxation on foreign trading ships was greatly reduced.
Insurgency of Anouvong
The three Laotian kingdoms (Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Champasak) became Siamese tributaries after Maha Kshatriyaseuk had conquered them in 1778. Anouvong, the son of the king of Vientiene, was taken to Bangkok as a captive. He spent his time in Siam for nearly thirty years and joined the Siamese forces in wars with Burma. In 1805, Anouvong returned to Vientiane to be crowned as the king.
In 1824, Buddha Loetla Nabhalai died and, next year, Siam was dragged into conflicts with the British Empire. Anouvong saw this as an opportunity to free his kingdom from the Siamese rule. In 1825, returning from the funeral of Buddha Loetla Nabhalai in Bangkok, Anouvong captured Korat and forced the city to be evacuated. However, the Korat captives rebelled under the supervision of Mo, wife of the ruler of Korat. Anouvong then returned to Vientiane without fruitful successes.
Jessadabodindra sent his brother Maha Sakdi Ponsep the Front Palace and Phraya Rajsupawadi to defeat the armies of Anouvong in Isan. Anouvong was defeated and fled to Vietnam. The Siamese captured Vientiane and ordered the evacuation of the city.
In 1827, Jessadabodindra ordered the total destruction of Vientiane. Anouvong returned with Vietnamese forces. Rajsupawadi led the Siamese to fight and the engagements occurred at Nongkai. Anouvong was defeated again and, after an attempt to flee, was captured. Vientiane was razed to the ground, extinguishing her 200-year prosperity, and ceded to be a kingdom. Anouvong was encaged in an iron cage in front of the Suthaisawan Hall and died in 1828.
Naming the reign
Since the establishment of Bangkok as a kingdom, none of the monarchs of Siam had been named properly according to the royal tradition. The Siamese called Jessadabodindra's grandfather the "First Reign", his father the "Middle Reign", and Jessadabodindra himself the "Late Reign". The term "Late Reign" produced psychological phenomenon like that the dynasty was going to end.
Jessadabodindra had sculpted two Buddha statues for his father and grandfather. He then named them after their respective Buddha statues. His grandfather was given the name "Buddha Yodfa Chulalok after his Buddha statue, and his father "Buddha Loetla Nabhalai". Yet Jessadabodindra left his own reign unnamed until his brother Mongkut named him as "Nangklao" and created a more systematic royal nomenclature.
The Wealthy King
Rama III statue in Bangkok
During the 27-year reign of King Nangklao, trade between Siam and China became very prosperous. His royal argosies constantly set sail for China and became very profitable. King Nangklao kept his profits in red bags beside his bed so this money was known as Red Bag Money. King Nangklao said that the Red Bag Money existed so that Siam would be able to buy the land back if it entered into a squabble with a foreign power.
The Faithful King
King Nangklao was famous for faithfully following Buddhism. He fed the poor each day after becoming prince, and released animals every monastery day. More than 50 temples were built and repaired in his reign, including the first Chinese style temple at Rajaorasa, the highest stupa at Wat Arun, the Golden Mountain at Wat Sraket, the metal temple at Wat Ratchanadda, and Chetupol Temple or Wat Pho. Wat Pho is the site of the first university in Thailand.
After a 26 year reign, King Nangklao was succeeded by his brother Prince Mongkut.
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