When you enter the RTNA you will see the statue of the Greatest King of all times. People call him “Our Beloved King” and this is the statue that reminds the cadets of this King of Kings.

Biography
King Chulalongkorn the Great was also known as Phra Chula Chomklao Chaoyuhua [or Rama V, Ed.]. His Majesty the King was the eldest son of King Rama IV. He was born on September 20, 1853. During his long reign (42 years) many important and useful things were achieved for our country.
His Majesty’s policy for Siam at that time was to modernize Siam like many countries in Europe by studying many technologies such as banking, public transportation, military organization, museums, modern education, etc.
His Majesty was also the first Thai King to travel aboard and he had the wise policy to save Siam from the colony-hunting empires at that time (England and France) by forging a good relationship with Czar Nicholas the second of Russia. This relationship was the most powerful weapon for Siam, because Siam’s status in that time was like a younger brother of Russia. The King also sent his Royal Sons such as Prince Chumporn, Prince Boripattara etc. to study in western countries.
Another vision that became a great thing for all Thais is that he released slaves to freedom without casualties.
Because of his goodness Thai people also call him Pra Piya Maharaja which means “Our Beloved King”.

Relationship with the RTNA
During the colony-hunting period, Thailand was also the target of the Europeans. There was a crisis at the Chao Praya river with France in 1893. France sent 3 warships to force the Thai government by laying siege of the France embassy at Rajaworradit Pier and Thailand had to give them the territory on the left side of Mae Khong River.
From this crisis, King Chulalongkorn realized that our sea power was very weak, so he sent His Son, Prince Chumporn to England to study Naval Science. When he came back our Navy was developed enough to establish our own Academy.
In 1906, King Chulalongkorn opened The Royal Thai Naval Academy at the Former Royal Palace of Thonburi and signed in the guestbook:
“On November 20th 1906, We, Chulalongkorn, have come to inaugurate this Academy. We are profoundly pleased to see that the Navy has its foundation established. It will constitute a firm base henceforth." Naval officers and cadets realized His Majesty’s achievement so they constructed this statue to be the centre of the cadets.
This statue is very important for cadets. It always reminds them to do good things for their country, be honest, be brave, be loyal, and try to be a good soldier in the future.
His Majesty is very important for our Academy and the cadets. He is like the centre of every cadet’s heart. If Prince Chumporn is the "Father of the Navy", King Chulalongkorn will be our grandfather and this Academy is His Majesty’s treasure that we must to defend with our lives
Many traditions of the cadets are about love for this Beloved King. For example, before going outside every cadet has to salute the statue first. It will always remind him that they are like His Majesty’s grandsons and whatever they do they have to think about that first and evaluate that it is a good thing or not because they are the men who take care of what is most important for His Majesty: our country.
Another event that is very important is on 23 October every year, “Beloved King” day. All armed forces that have their headquarters in Bangkok and perimeter provinces send some officers and soldiers to go to a saluting ceremony at the Dusit parade ground in Bangkok and RTNA is the one of them
For every important event in the RTNA like Three-Anchor night or the Seaman-Farmer Games, we have a ceremony at the statue first before it begins.

References
The Royal Thai Naval Academy. October 2004. Royal Thai Naval Academy. 8 September 2008.
พระราชกรณียกิจ. 8 September 2008.

The statue of King Chulalongkorn the Great



1. The King Chulalongkorn the Great statue in front of the Headquarters of the RTNA









2. This plate shows His Majesty’s handwriting when he signed the Academy guestbook.









3,4. The Gold and Silver plates used to salute The King and a wooden elephant that is a royal animal.
























5. King Chulalongkorn the Great, “ Our Beloved King”.

Interview


On the sixth of November 2008 after lunch at approximately 1245, our team interviewed Captain Wiroj Pitpeng, the chaplain of the RTNA. He knows about ceremonies for the King Chulalongkorn statue, and this is an interview with him.
1. What are the foods that are used to pay respect to the King?
-pig’s head
-crab
-shrimp
-chicken
-duck
-snake headed fish
-Thai desserts (tong-yip, tong-yod)
-flower garland
-flowers
-2 candles number 6, joss sticks
-whiskey 28 percent
-1 bunch of bananas
2. What is the meaning of the chant that we use when we have a ceremony?
-Its meaning is to invite King Chulalongkorn's soul to have these foods.
3. What is the occasion that we have to give him a garland?
-23 October, “Beloved King Day”.
4. What is the flower that we use?
-Pink rose, because pink is the flower of Tuesday, it’s the day he was born.
5. Why do Thai people call him “ Royal Buddha?"
-It’s our way to tell that His Majesty’s work, especially freeing the slaves, is as great as the Buddha’s work. Some people think that he was Buddha reborn.