King Prajadhipok: The Last Absolute Monarch of Thailand
Seen Above: King Prajadhipok of Siam with his wife Queen Rambhai Barni in England.
On May 30th (2024), the Thai people honor the 83rd anniversary of the death of King Prajadhipok (วันคล้ายวันสวรรคต ร. 7), the last absolute monarch of Thailand, or Siam, as it was known back then.
King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) was born on November 8, 1893, becoming the youngest child born to King Chulalongkorn and Queen Saovabha Phongsri.
Somdet Chaofa Prajadhipok Sakdidej (สมเด็จเจ้าฟ้าประชาธิปกศักดิเดชน์) ascended the Thai throne on November 26, 1925, following the death of his brother, King Vajiravudh (Rama VI).
Educated in England at Eton and the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich, King Prajadhipok brought a unique perspective to his reign, combining Western education with deep respect for Thai culture and traditions.
However, his 9 year reign as Siam’s last absolute monarch was fraught with challenges from the outset. Siam was undergoing significant social, economic, and political changes. The impact of the Great Depression, coupled with internal political strife and increasing demands for modernization and democratic reforms, placed immense pressure on the Thai monarchy.
King Prajadhipok: The Virtuous Thai King
Despite these challenges, King Prajadhipok strove to embody the 10 Virtues of a Righteous Thai Ruler (ทศพิธราชธรรม), a set of Buddhist principles that guided his actions and decisions as a monarch.
These virtues include generosity, morality, self-sacrifice, honesty, gentleness, self-control, non-anger, non-violence, patience, and uprightness — principles which later were embraced with great devotion by like King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, who assumed the throne in 1949.
King Prajadhipok was committed to modernization and reform. He recognized the need for a constitutional monarchy and worked towards drafting a constitution that would limit the powers of the monarchy and increase the role of the people in governance.
This move was a reflection of his moral and ethical commitment to justice and fairness, as well as his sincere belief that Thai citizens needed a greater voice in the governing of the Kingdom’s affairs.
His reign saw the establishment of the first constitution of Thailand in 1932, following a coup attempt led by the Khana Ratsadon (คณะราษฎร) or People’s Party, a group of military and civilian leaders advocating for democratic reforms.
The transition from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy was a profound change for Siam/Thailand, one that King Prajadhipok navigated with a deep sense of responsibility and adherence to the virtues of patience, uprightness, and non-violence, ensuring the transition was conducted without any loss of “flesh and blood”.
King Prajadhipok’s personal life also mirrored these virtues. He was known for his simplicity and modesty, often engaging directly with his subjects and showing a genuine concern for their welfare. His charitable activities and efforts, particularly in education and healthcare, were driven by the virtue of generosity.
He became the first Thai King to personally award degrees to graduating university students, handing out degree cards to new graduates of Chulalongkorn University in 1930.
This tradition was maintained by King Bhumibol Adulyadej during much of his reign, until graduating classes became too large and additional Royal family members needed to assist in the ceremonies.
King Prajadhipok’s Abdication of the Thai Throne
King Prajadhipok’s avoidance of violence, preferring peaceful solutions over military interventions, was viewed as weakness by powerful players in Thailand’s military factions. This led to an inability to exert influence over the new “democratic” regime (which he had deep concerns about) and eventually his abdication from the Thai throne in 1935.
In his letter of abdication, written from self-imposed exile in England, King Prajadhipok wrote:
“…I am willing to relinquish the power that previously belonged to me to the people in general. But I refuse to cede all my powers to anyone or any group, especially to use those powers without absolute authority and without listening to the true voice of the people.
(ข้าพเจ้าเต็มใจที่จะสละอำนาจอันเป็นของข้าพเจ้าอยู่เดิมให้แก่ราษฎรโดยทั่วไป แต่ข้าพเจ้าไม่ยินยอมยกอำนาจทั้งหลายของข้าพเจ้าให้แก่ผู้ใด คณะใด โดยเฉพาะเพื่อใช้อำนาจนั้นโดยสิทธิขาดและโดยไม่ฟังเสียงอันแท้จริงของประชาราษฎร)
Now, I see that my wish to give the people a true voice in the country’s decision-making has not been achieved. I feel that now there is no way for me to continue to help or provide protection to the people. I therefore hereby abdicate and leave the position of King. From now on I hereby waive all my rights which belong to me as the King, but I retain all the rights that were originally mine before I inherited the throne…”
(บัดนี้ข้าพเจ้าเห็นว่าความประสงค์ของข้าพเจ้าที่จะให้ราษฎรมีสิทธิ์ออกเสียงในนโยบายของประเทศโดยแท้จริงไม่เป็นผลสำเร็จ และเมื่อข้าพเจ้ารู้สึกว่าบัดนี้เป็นอันหมดหนทางที่ข้าพเจ้าจะช่วยเหลือหรือให้ความคุ้มครองแก่ประชาชนได้ต่อไปแล้ว ข้าพเจ้าจึงขอสละราชสมบัติและออกจากตำแหน่งพระมหากษัตริย์ แต่บัดนี้เป็นต้นไป ข้าพเจ้าขอสละสิทธิของข้าพเจ้าทั้งปวง ซึ่งเป็นของข้าพเจ้าในฐานที่เป็นพระมหากษัตริย์ แต่ข้าพเจ้าสงวนไว้ซึ่งสิทธิทั้งปวงอันเป็นของข้าพเจ้าแต่เดิมมาก่อนที่ข้าพเจ้าได้รับราชสมบัติสืบสันตติวงศ์)
King Prajadhipok passed away of a heart attack on May 30, 1941, in England, but his legacy continues to be revered in Thailand. His reign, though marked by challenges and eventual abdication, is remembered for his dedication to the principles of righteousness and virtue, guiding Thailand through one of its most transformative periods.
His efforts laid the groundwork for modern Thai democracy under a Constitutional Monarchy and served as a powerful example of virtuous leadership that King Bhumibol the Great would later embody to even a greater degree during his long 70 year reign.
Did King Bhumibol ever meet King Prajadhipok?
It is an intriguing question as to whether King Prajadhipok ever met with King Bhumibol Adulyadej during the 1930s, while the then “Prince Bhumibol” was studying as a child in Switzerland, considering the close proximity to England. However, there is no documented evidence that such a meeting occurred.
There is one connection between the two Kings that many people are not aware of. King Bhumibol was bestowed with the name “Bhumibol” (ภูมิพล) by King Prajadhipok on the occasion of his birth in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1927.
It seems divinely clairvoyant that King Prajadhipok chose to bestow the baby prince with the name “Bhumibol” (ภูมิพล), considering the great unlikelihood the child would ever assume the thrown of Thailand.
The name “Bhumibol” is derived from Sanskrit and can be broken down into two parts:
1. ภูมิ (Bhumi): meaning “land” or “earth.”
2. พล (Bol): meaning “strength” or “power.”
Therefore, the name ภูมิพล (Bhumibol) translates to “Strength of the Land” or “Power of the Land.” This name turned out to match perfectly with King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s destiny — as he was known for his dedication to the development and welfare of Thailand, often symbolizing the strength and unity of the nation.
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