Chakri Memorial Day

Today, 7 April, is being celebrated as Chakri Memorial Day in Thailand, a public holiday which marks the founding of the present Chakri Dynasty by Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke the Great, also known as Phutthayotfa and posthumously named Rama I.
The name Chakri (จักรี) comes from the title Chao Pharaya Chakri, given to Rama I while he was a general in Taksin’s army. This title was held by the greatest warlords of the Ayuthaya Kingdom and was meant to reflect the prowess of the holder on the battlefield.

Rama I ascended to the throne on 6 April 1782 and ruled the Kingdom of Siam for twenty-eight years. During his reign, Phutthayotfa consolidated the Kingdom in such a way that here was no further fear of invasion from enemies. King Rama I has been praised as an accomplished statesman, a lawmaker, a poet and a devout Buddhist. Thus, his reign has been called a “reconstruction” of the Thai state and Thai culture.

As an experienced military campaigner, he knew that the city of Thonburi was vulnerable to possible Burmese attack from the west. So he ordered the establishment of a new capital on the opposite side of the Chao Phraya River thus creating Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (กรุงเทพมหานคร; “Bangkok” is simply the city’s nickname). In building the new capital on Rattanakosin Island (whose eastern bank has long since joined the mainland through land reclamation), Rama I constructed the Grand Palace that now houses the Emerald Buddha.

On Chakri Day the national flag is proudly displayed throughout the Kingdom. The Prime Minister, other government ministers and high-ranking officers, students, public and private organizations, as well as people from all walks of life take part in wreath-laying ceremonies. They make merit for the great kings of the Chakri Dynasty who dedicated their lives for the betterment of their subjects.

HRH Bhumibol Adulyadej is the ninth King of the Chakri Dynasty. A Royal ceremony is performed by the King to pay respects to King Rama I the Great, the founder of the Chakri Dynasty. On this day, accompanied by members of the Royal Family, His Majesty presides over a religious ceremony performed to give merit to the deceased rulers at the Grand Palace’s Royal Chapel, then pays respects to predecessors at Prasat Phra Thep Bidorn (the Royal Pantheon) and lays a wreath at the statue of King Rama I at Memorial Bridge.

Links of Interest:

• Grand Palace Image Gallery