Rama II.
Phra Phutthaloetla , ( Rama II ) (full name: Phrabat Somdet Phra Phutthaloetla Naphalai - Thai พระบาท สมเด็จ พระพุทธ เลิศ หล้า นภาลัย ; * February 26, 1768 in Ratchaburi ; † July 21, 1824 in Bangkok ) was King of Siam from 1809 to 1824 (Thailand).
Live and act
Rama II was born under the name Chin during the siege of Ayutthaya when his father, who later became the founder of the Chakri dynasty , was stationed as an officer in Ratchaburi. His mother was his main wife Nak, who later became Queen Amarindra . After his father became king in 1782, Chin was named Prince Itsarasunthon . After his father's death in 1809, he succeeded him on the throne. Rama II saw his tasks in the consolidation of the administrative structures of the country and in the promotion of culture (especially architecture, literature and music) as well as the renewal of religion. He also promoted the economy, for example by obliging every landowner to cultivate his land under threat of expropriation . For this purpose, he had a land survey carried out that covered all of Siam.
As a devout Buddhist, he renewed the festive days of Visaka Bucha , the days of birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha . Like his father Phra Phutthayotfa Chulalok (later: Rama I ), Rama II was a great friend of literature and translated, among other things, the Buddhist Tripitaka from Pali into Thai. He had Wat Arun in Thonburi restored and enlarged, and designed the graceful and lifelike Buddha image in the ordination hall ( Ubosot ) himself .
In Rama II the feeling of the great loss of culture after the destruction of Ayutthaya continued. During the period of consolidation, the aim was to rebuild as much as possible and give the country back works of art and tradition.
On September 7, 1809 he appointed his brother Maha Senanurak to Uparat ("Viceroy"). However, he died after a short illness in 1817, without the king setting up a new uparat.
Like all kings of the Chakri dynasty, Rama II had many children: he had a total of 73 children, 38 boys and 35 girls, 51 of whom were born before his accession to the throne. None of his daughters married. However, his 61st son, Prince Pramoj, was the ancestor of Seni Pramoj and Kukrit Pramoj , who both later became Prime Ministers of Thailand. The current Queen Sirikit is a descendant of the 49th son of Rama II, Prince Nuam, who started the Snidwongse family.
Only a few days after the ordination of his son Prince Mongkut , who later became King Rama IV, as a monk at Wat Bowonniwet , Rama II became very ill. He was initially treated with traditional Thai medicine , but this did not lead to any improvement. The court doctors who were called in too late could only determine his death on July 21, 1824. His eldest son, Prince Chetsadabodin, was crowned King Nang Klao (later Rama III ) as his successor .
See also
Web links
Individual evidence
- ^ Prince Chula Chakrabongse of Thailand: Lords Of Life, The Paternal Monarchy Of Bangkok . Alvin Redman Ltd., London 1960, p. 117
- ↑ Prince Chula Chakrabongse: Lords Of Life . P. 143
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Rama II. |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Phra Phutthaloetla |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | King of Siam (1809-1824) |
| DATE OF BIRTH | February 26, 1768 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Ratchaburi |
| DATE OF DEATH | July 21, 1824 |
| Place of death | Bangkok , Siam |