Mongkut

Mongkut มงกุฎ
King Rama IV
Portrait by John Thomson, c. 1865
King of Siam
Reign	2 April 1851 – 1 October 1868
Coronation	15 May 1851
Predecessor	Nangklao (Rama III)
Successor	Chulalongkorn (Rama V)
Viceroy	Pinklao
Born	(1804-10-18)18 October 1804 Bangkok, Siam
Died	1 October 1868(1868-10-01) (aged 63) Bangkok, Siam
Spouse	Somanass Ramphoei Siriwong Chae Siriwong and 32 concubines
Issue Detail	39 sons and 43 daughters, including: Chulalongkorn (Rama V) Tisavarakumarn, Prince Damrong Rajanubhab Chitcharoen, Prince Narisara Nuwattiwong Jayata Mongkol, Prince Mahisara Rajaharudaya
House	Chakri dynasty
Father	Phutthaloetla Naphalai (Rama II)
Mother	Sri Suriyendra
Religion	Theravada Buddhism
Signature

Mongkut
Privy Seal
Thai name
Thai	พระบาทสมเด็จพระปรเมนทรรามาธิบดีศรีสินทรมหามงกุฎ พระจอมเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว พระสยามเทวมหามกุฏวิทยมหาราช
RTGS	Phrabat Somdet Phra Poramenthra Ramathibodhi Srisindra Maha Mongkut Phra Chomklao Chao Yu Hua Phra Sayam Thewa Maha Makut Witthaya Maharat

Mongkut (Thai: มงกุฏ; 18 October 1804 – 1 October 1868) was the fourth king of Siam under the House of Chakri, titled Rama IV.^[1] He ruled from 1851 to 1868. His full title in Thai was Phra Poramenthra Ramathibodhi Srisindra Maha Mongkut Phra Chomklao Chao Yu Hua Phra Sayam Thewa Maha Makut Witthaya Maharat (พระบาทสมเด็จพระปรเมนทรรามาธิบดีศรีสินทรมหามงกุฎ พระจอมเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว พระสยามเทวมหามกุฏวิทยมหาราช).^[2]

The reign of Mongkut was marked by significant modernization initiatives and diplomatic engagements, which played pivotal roles in shaping Thailand's trajectory towards progress and international relations. Siam first felt the pressure of Western expansionism during Mongkut's reign. Mongkut embraced Western innovations and initiated the modernization of his country, both in technology and culture—earning him the nickname "The Father of Science and Technology" in Siam.

Mongkut was also known for appointing his younger brother, Prince Chutamani, as Second King, crowned in 1851 as King Pinklao. Mongkut told the country that Pinklao should be respected with equal honor to himself (as King Naresuan had done with his brother Ekathotsarot in 1583). During Mongkut's reign, the power of the House of Bunnag reached its zenith: It became the most powerful noble family of Siam.

Mongkut is known in the West primarily through the lens of the 1951 musical "The King and I" and its 1956 film adaptation.