The day commemorates King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) who passed away on October 23rd 1910.
He was the fifth monarch of Siam from the House of Chakri and is considered one of the greatest kings of Siam (now Thailand).
He is remembered as the king who introduced many social and political reforms that helped to modernise Siam including the abolishment of slavery.
He succeeded to the throne in 1868 when he was 15 years old and was crowned king in 1873. He ruled until his death in 1910. He was known to the Siamese people as Phra Phuttha Chao Luang.
In his youth, Rama V was taught English and western customs by Anna Leonowens. The memoirs of her time in the Siam royal court was retold in the book, ‘Anna and the King of Siam’ by Margaret Landon. The book was the basis for the popular Broadway musical and film, The King and I. The King in the title was Chulalongkorn’s father, King MongKut.