Front Palace

Viceroy of Siam
กรมพระราชวังบวรสถานมงคล
Second-longest reigning Maha Sura Singhanat 1782–3 November 1803
Style	His Royal Highness
Status	Heir presumptive Uparaja
Residence	Front Palace
Appointer	Monarch
Term length	Life tenure or until accession as Sovereign
Formation	1438; 586 years ago (1438)
First holder	Ramesuan
Final holder	Wichaichan
Abolished	28 August 1885; 138 years ago (1885-08-28)
Superseded by	Crown Prince of Siam
Unofficial names	Front Palace lord
Deputy	Deputy Viceroy

Krom Phra Ratchawang Bowon Sathan Mongkhon กรมพระราชวังบวรสถานมงคล, colloquially known as the Front Palace (Thai: วังหน้า, RTGS: Wang Na), was the title of the uparaja of Siam, variously translated as "viceroy", "vice king" or "Lord/Prince of the Front Palace", as the titleholder resided in the physical residence of the same name. The office of Front Palace was considered second only to the king and regarded as the heir presumptive. The name, with its dual meaning, originated in the Ayutthaya period, and the holder later gained significant powers during the Rattanakosin period. Front Palace occupants were usually a son or brother of the reigning monarch. The office existed until the death of the last occupant, Prince Vichaichan, in 1885. King Chulalongkorn then abolished the office of an heir presumptive, introducing in its stead the Western concept of a crown prince as heir apparent, and styled the new office "Crown Prince of Siam".^[1]