1868, Oct 1 - Upon the demise of King Rama IV, his eldest son, Chulalongkorn (one out of 39 sons and 43 daughters from 39 wives) ascends the throne. Chulalongkorn (King Rama V) had been given a sound education which included English lessons. These he received from the English widow Anna Leonowens who wrote two books on her experiences, An English Governess at the Siamese Court and Romance of a Harem. Based on Anna Leonowens?books, the fairly ridiculous film The King and I was made - ridiculous because it views the 19th century with the eyes of the 20th and lacks any historic understanding. (The film was banned in Thailand). Like his father, Chulalongkorn not only is a very able politician but also a ruler, modern for his times. He abolishes the practice of prostration in royal presence and issues a royal decree that every Siamese born during his regime is a free man, thus eliminating slavery. However, in order to prevent social upheaval in conservative quarters, slavery is phased out only gradually.
1871 - The first school in Siam is established; it caters only to the children of the royal families.
1874, Apr 15 - King Rama V creates a Privy Council. It is composed of 49 members (13 princes and 36 high officials).
1874, May 8 - King Rama V reforms the administrative political set-up by creating a Council of State composed of 12 members from the Phaya rank (the highest rank of nobility outside the royal families).
1882 - Siamese resident ministers are appointed to serve in Western countries and Japan with the aim of projecting Siam as an independent country, worthy of being a member of the family of nations.
1882, Apr 1 - The administrative structure of Siam is changed to 12 ministries under twelve ministers directly responsible to the King as the virtual prime minister.
1884 - The first state school for non-royal Siamese is opened in Bangkok.
1885 - The office of the Maha Uparat (Second King) is abolished. The Second King has usually been a brother or son of the King, chosen and appointed by the King at his discretion.
1887 - The Department of Education is created to manage schools in Siam. This department is later elevated to a ministry.
1893 - French expansionist politics cause friction with Siam. France withdraws its whole diplomatic mission from Bangkok.
1893, Jul 13 - Because the French insist on the passage of 2 French merchant vessels through the Mekong River, there is a military skirmish between French and Siamese troops. (While the lower part of the Mekong was anyway flowing through the French-ruled regions of Vietnam and Cambodia, the upper part was entirely located in Siamese territory, as Laos at that time was an integral part of Siam.)
1893, Jul 20 - The French blockade the Gulf of Siam with warships as they are dissatisfied with the response to an ultimatum given the Siamese foreign minister, Prince Dewawangse. The ultimatum threatens to blockade the Thai coast if the French are denied access to the Mekong River.
1893, Jul 29 - In connection with the ultimatum, the French confront Siam with a set of conditions; they concern substantial land concessions as well as trading rights.
1893, Aug 3 - Siam accepts the conditions and the blockade is lifted.
1893, Oct 3 - Siam, in its desire to maintain its independence, agrees to a new treaty with France that brings no advantages, just losses, to Siam. In the treaty, Siam yields all its territories on the left bank of the Mekong to France (basically the territory of the present Laos), plus all the islands in the river; Siam refrains from using the Mekong for war vessels; on a width of 25 kilometers (16mi) at the right side of the Mekong, Siam is not allowed to build or maintain any military installations; Siam is not allowed to build or maintain any military facilities in the provinces of Battambang and Seemap (today Cambodian provinces along the Cambodian/Thai border); the French reserve the right to open consulates in the towns of Nan and Khorat on Siamese territory. There are further paragraphs to the agreement, too many to list them all here. All paragraphs have, however, one thing in common: they favor France at the expense of Siam.
