Chulalongkorn

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Chulalongkorn จุฬาลงกรณ์
King Rama V
Formal portrait, c. 1900s
King of Siam
Reign	1 October 1868 – 23 October 1910
Coronation	11 November 1868 (1st) 16 November 1873 (2nd)
Predecessor	Mongkut (Rama IV)
Successor	Vajiravudh (Rama VI)
Regent	Sri Suriwongse (1868–1873) Saovabha Phongsri (1897) Vajiravudh (1907)
Viceroy	Wichaichan (1868–1885)
Born	(1853-09-20)20 September 1853 Grand Palace, Bangkok, Siam
Died	23 October 1910(1910-10-23) (aged 57) Dusit Palace, Bangkok, Siam
Spouse	Sunanda Kumariratana Sukhumala Marasri Savang Vadhana Saovabha Phongsri and 5 other consorts and 143 concubines
Issue Detail	32 sons and 44 daughters, including: Vajirunhis, Crown Prince of Siam Vajiravudh (Rama VI) Mahidol Adulyadej, Prince of Songkhla Prajadhipok (Rama VII)
House	Chakri dynasty
Father	Mongkut (Rama IV)
Mother	Debsirindra
Religion	Theravada Buddhism
Signature
Military career
Allegiance	Kingdom of Siam
Service/branch	Royal Siamese Army Royal Siamese Navy
Years of service	1868–1910
Rank	Field Marshal Admiral of the Fleet
Commands held	Royal Siamese Armed Forces

Chulalongkorn
Privy Seal
Thai name
Thai	พระบาทสมเด็จพระปรมินทรมหาจุฬาลงกรณ์ฯ พระจุลจอมเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว พระปิยมหาราช
RTGS	Phrabat Somdet Phra Poraminthra Maha Chulalongkorn Phra Chulachomklao Chao Yu Hua Phra Piya Maharat

Chulalongkorn (Thai: จุฬาลงกรณ์, 20 September 1853 – 23 October 1910) was the fifth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri, titled Rama V from 1 October 1868 to his death in 23 October 1910.

Chulalongkorn was born as the son of King Mongkut in 1853. In 1868, he travelled with his father and Westerners invited by Mongkut to observe the solar eclipse of 18 August 1868 in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. However, Chulalongkorn and his father both contracted malaria which resulted in his father's death.^{[clarification needed]}

Chulalongkorn's reign was characterised by the modernisation of Siam, governmental and social reforms, and territorial concessions to the British and French Empires. As Siam was surrounded by European colonies, Chulalongkorn, through his policies and acts, ensured the independence of Siam.^{[1][disputed – discuss]} 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 (พระปิยมหาราช, the Great Beloved King).