Learn about Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke
Now Playing: Lesson Audio
Get this lesson’s key vocab, their translations and pronunciations. Sign up for your Free Lifetime Account Now and get 7 Days of Premium Access including this feature.
| Hello, and welcome to the Culture File: Thailand series at ThaiPod101.com. In this series, we’re exploring interesting facts that you must know about Thailand, Thai Culture and Thai People. I’m Michael, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 22: Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke |
| Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke, or พระพุทธยอดฟ้าจุฬาโลก, is also known as Rama I. He founded the first monarchy of the House of Chakri of Siam, or in Thai ราชวงศ์จักรี, which today is the country we know as Thailand. He was born in 1736 and died in 1809, ruling from 1782 until his death in 1809. |
| Rama I was widely known as a great military leader under the rule of King Taksin or พระเจ้าตากสิน, who reunited the kingdom of Siam. He took control away from Taksin in 1782, making himself king, and executing Taksin. Chulaloke had become friends with Taksin when they were both young and served as a page in Taksin's father's court. |
| The Burmese-Siamese War of 1785, or in Thai สงครามเก้าทัพ was one of the major events that occurred during Rama I’s reign. The Burmese attacked with nine armies, giving the war its alternative name, the Nine Armies War. Strategy proved difficult against such a large assault, but throughout the war several battles were fought by the townspeople in the cities the Burmese tried to take. The townspeople were able to defeat the Burmese in some of these battles, turning the tides in favor of Thailand. |
| Under Chulaloke’s great military leadership, Thailand became a military stronghold that could not be beaten. They were able to repel attacks by the Burmese and also influence other nearby countries, including Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. Thailand began to expand in the years after Chulaloke’s death, largely due to the strength he gave to the country while in power. |
| So listeners, how did you like this lesson? Did you learn anything interesting about Rama I? |
| Leave a comment telling us at ThaiPod101.com! Until next time! |
Comments
Hide