King Mongkut (King Rama IV) (1804-1868)

King Mongkut (King Rama IV) of the Chakri Dynasty was the son of Pra Bhuddha Loetlar Naphalai (King Rama II) and Somdej Pra Srisuriyentramart. His Majesty King Rama IV was born on October 18, 1804. When His Majesty was young, He studied ancient Thai language and Royal Customs and Traditions. After shaving His tonsure, He became a novice in Buddhism. At the age of 21, He entered monkhood and remained a Buddhist monk for 27 years. While being a monk, He had studied Buddhism attentively, both in practice and in theory, some foreign languages, science, political science, western cultures and the world situation in the colonialism era. Moreover, He had been travelling all over the country to visit various ancient temples in many cities and had simultaneously learned more about the Thai people as well as the country. Once He mounted the throne as king, what He had learned and experienced became very in ruling the country in the unfavourable world situation at that time.

King Mongkut became king after His Majesty's elder brother King Nang Klao (King Rama III). The Coronation Ceremony was held on May 15, 1851 and He was on the throne for 18 years before he passed away on October 1, 1868 at 64 years of age.

His Mayesty was the founder of basic science in Thailand. He had introduced the standard time in 1852 by establishing the Phuwadol Tassanai Hall as the first standard time clock tower of the country. He also used the standard time in the accurate two-year prediction of a full solar eclipse clearly visible at Wa Kaw in Prachuap Khiri Khan province on August 18, 1868.

Thanks to His recognized talent in science, He was named "Father of the Thai Science". And in commemoration of His Majesty's kind support and promotion of science which has extensively contributed to the country's progress and prosperity until today, the Thai government has announced August 18 of every year "The National Science Day."

Moreover, He had reconstructed Buddhism in many ways. In the meantime, He supported all existing religions in Thailand and granted freedom in believing in any religion. His Majesty had initiated Buddhism-related practice in various Royal Ceremonies. In an effort to improve Buddhism, both practice and theory, He established Dhammyuttika Nikaya, one of the sub-sect in Buddhism that focused on strictly accurate practice and theory. In 1853, He provided the renovation of Pra Pathom Chedi, known as the biggest and oldest pagoda in the country. This pagoda apparently serves as an evidence of the advent of Buddhism in Thailand, which has continuously flourished until today.