RATTANAKOSIN KINGDOM.

After the execution of King Taksin, ตากสินมหาราช the commander in chief reigned the throne of Thonburi Kingdom and named King Ramathibodi to King Rama I, พระบาทสมเด็จพระพุทธยอดฟ้าจุฬาโลกมหาราช. Rama I ruling from 1782 to 1809, removed his royal seat across the Chao Phraya river, แม่น้ำเจ้าพระยา to the village of Bang Koh, meaning 'place of the island' which he had built and established the new capital Rattanakosin, รัตนโกสินทร์ in 1782.

Later the old capital Thon Buri, ธนบุรี narrowed and became part of Bangkok, กรุงเทพมหานคร, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, metropolitan and then the capital was moved to Bangkok, กรุงเทพมหานคร where Rama I built the Grand Palace, พระบรมมหาราชวัง, Phra Borom Maha Ratcha Wang. Rama I restored most of the social and political system of the Ayutthaya, อาณาจักรอยุธยา Kingdom, promulgating new law codes, reinstating the court ceremonies and imposing discipline on the Buddhist monkhood.

Statue of King Rama I	Statue of King Rama III

King Phuttaloetla Nabhalai or King Rama II, พระบาทสมเด็จพระพุทธเลิศหล้านภาลัย, continued the restoration begun by his predecessor. King Rama II is best known for construction of Wat Arun, วัดอรุณ, also known as Temple of the Dawn, and many other temples and monasteries. Rama II reopens relations with the west, suspended since the time of King Narai, สมเด็จพระนารายณ์มหาราช.

King Jessadabodindra or King Nangklao, King Rama III, พระบาทสมเด็จพระปรมาธิวรเสรฐ มหาเจษฎาบดินทร์ สยามินทรวิโรดม บรมธรรมิกมหาราชาธิราช บรมนารถบพิตร พระนั่งเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว, reopened relations with Western nations and developed trade with China. Rama III left his trademark as the technique of embedding Chinese porcelain fragments as decorations on temples.

King Mongkut or King Rama IV, พระบาทสมเด็จพระจอมเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว, concluded treaties with European countries, avoided colonialization and established modern Thailand. He made many social and economic reforms during his reign. The role in introducing and understanding the western culture. Western science and scientific methodology brought to Siam, King Mongkut is still honoured to this day in modern Thailand as the country's 'Father of Modern Science and Technology'. Rama IV, before becoming King spends 27 years as a monk and studying western science.

King Chulalongkorn or King Rama V, พระบาทสมเด็จพระจุลจอมเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว, continued his father's tradition of reform improving the public welfare and administrative system. This King was the employment of western advisers to modernise Siam's administration and commerce.

The Railway network was also developed. Reigning for four decades, King Rama V, longest second reign of any Thai King ends the custom of prostration in royal presence, whom abolishes slavery and replaces labour with direct taxation. Schools, infrastructures, military and the government is modernised. King Vajiravudh or King Rama VI, พระบาทสมเด็จพระมงกุฎเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว, introduced compulsory education and other educational reforms in the country. King Rama VI studied history and law at the Christ Church, Oxford in England. During the reign of the King Prajadhipok or King Rama VII, พระปกเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว, Thailand changed from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. King Prajadhipok was the last absolute monarch and the first constitutional monarch of Siam. King Prajadhipok's reign was the shortest and probably the most controversial in the history of the Chakri Dynasty. The King abdicated in 1933 and was succeeded by his nephew.

Statue of King Ananda Mahidol

                           

King Ananda Mahidol or King Rama VIII, พระบาทสมเด็จพระปรเมนทรมหาอานันทมหิดล พระอัฐมรามาธิบดินทร, was the eighth King of the Chakri Dynasty. The country's name was changed from Siam to Thailand with the advent of a democratic government in 1939. King Bhumibol Adulyadej or King Rama IX, พระบาทสมเด็จพระปรมินทรมหาภูมิพลอดุลยเดช มหิตลาธิเบศรามาธิบดี จักรีนฤบดินทร์ สยามินทราธิราช บรมนาถบพิตร is the present monarch of the Chakri Dynasty.

Having reigned since June 9th 1946, King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the world's longest serving current head of state and the longest serving monarch in Thai history. Reported to be one of the richest men in the world with a personal net worth of $35 billion dollars. King Bhumibol has used part of his great wealth to fund over 3,000 development projects, particularly in rural areas. He is immensely popular in Thailand and is revered as a semi-divine figure by the Thais. King Bhumibol was born in the United States and educated primarily in Switzerland. King Bhumibol is also an accomplished musician, artist and sailor. King Bhumibol set a world record for receiving the greatest number of honorary university degrees total of 136 in 1997. Most of his degrees came from Thai universities for instance and Kasetsart University awarded him ten honorary doctoral degrees at once.