RAMA V COPPER SOLOT__Siam 1800's___"THE GREAT BELOVED KING"___Sired 77 Children

Description

21K09
FRASCATIUS ANCIENTS
A BEAUTIFUL COPPER SOLOT OF KING RAMA V (CHULALONGKORN) OF SIAM / THAILAND FROM 1875 - 1883 AD .
THAILAND CELEBRATES many auspicious occasions but none with more feeling or genuine sentiment than the festivities held on October 23rd every year in commemoration of his Majesty Rama V.
King Rama V was to become the country's greatest patriarch, siring no less than 77 children (44 girls, 33 boys).
All his reforms were dedicated to ensuring Siam's independence given the increasing encroachment of Western powers, so that Chulalongkorn earned the epithet Phra Piya Maharat (the Great Beloved King).
THE SIZE IS 20.4 MM AND 2.67 GRAMS.
Y# 17
OBVERSE – The crowned monogram of King Rama V - - - Script Translation - Siam, King Rama V
REVERSE – Inscription within wreath - - - - Translation - Solot - 16 pieces equal 1 Fuang
KING RAMA V (CHULALONGKORN)
Born September 20, 1853, King Rama V (Chulalongkorn) was to inherit the throne from his father, King Monkut (Rama IV), in 1868 at the tender age of 15. King Rama V set about the task of reforming his country, a monumental assignment to bring Siam into the modern world. At that time there were no communication systems, ox carts and elephants were the only form of transport and government was administered in some 20 regional "Mini Kingdoms" by Governors whose only loyalty was to themselves. Taxes were collected by ordinary citizens, most of whom were thieves, and law and order was based on "Trial by ordeal" the strongest party being declared the winner of the dispute.
At home, King Chulalongkorn reorganized the Government, appointing 12 ministers, all either his sons or loyal members of the nobility, to run the country centrally from Bangkok. Faced with confrontation, he allowed the Governors of the provinces to continue in their posts but skillfully planted people loyal to the crown into positions where they were gradually able to take over.
King Chulalongkorn approached western nations for their technology and skills, encouraging bidding and plans for a railway system. As these experts arrived from across Europe they discussed plans, argued incessantly and could not agree on a strategy. King Rama V made use of these disagreements to forestall even longer until eventually a railroad could be built by a combination of resources from European countries, giving no single power to any country. Siam got its railway and no political power had been compromised.
King Rama V was to become the country's greatest patriarch, siring no less than 77 children (44 girls, 33 boys). At the time, procreation on a large scale was expected of a Siamese King but like everything else he accomplished, fathering a large family was just another part of the big plan. To implement the necessary changes that would bring Siam into the modern world, absolute control was required and government officials needed to be educated, well traveled and above all, loyal to the king. This could only be guaranteed by placing blood relatives into key posts across the land and to achieve that aim, King Chulalongkorn took many wives and courtesans.
During his 42-year reign, King Chulalongkorn succeeded in establishing a government based on the western system, which ultimately paved the way for the present democracy. He reformed the rule of law, established a proper judicial system and introduced compulsory military service, improving the country's national defense. He introduced the Baht (still in use today) as the official currency and made taxes directly payable to the government, cutting out the corrupt middlemen. King Chulalongkorn also set up Siam's first hospital based on western medical practices, the first medical school and a nationwide education system.
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