pakkret happiness

The Royal Visit to Nonthaburi The royal visit of King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V) in Rattanakosin era 123 (B.E. 2447) was different from the traditional visits of the royal family in that he disguised himself as a commoner and traveled primarily by boat and train. He began his journey at Bang Pa-In palace on July 14, 1904 (B.E. 2447), passing by Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Bangkok, Thonburi, Samut Sakhon, Ratcha Buri, Samut Songkhram, Phetchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Suphan Buri, Ang Thong and Phranakhon Si Ayutthaya before getting back to Bang Pa-In and afterwards catching the train in his return to Bangkok on August 7, 1904. On July 14, 1904, King Rama V took the boat along the Chao Phraya River from Bang Pa-In to Koh Kret, Nonthaburi. During the trip, the king made a visit to Wat Paramaiyikawat and the santol (a kind of fruit) garden of Nai Boot near the Om River, and headed to the next destination, Wat Khemapirataram in Nonthaburi. Here, he stayed overnight in front of the temple. In the writing of life and work by Somdej Phra Chao Borommawong Thoe Krom Phraya Damrong Ratchanuphap, the author also recorded about this royal visit of many places. At the santol garden of Nai Boot by the Om River in Muang Nonthaburi, it was marked that there were a lot of santols bearing fruit; here, the king was delighted and had a chance to pick up santols. In that evening, the king reached Wat Khemapirataram and left his royal barge at the bridge in front of the temple as ordinary travelers would do. He used a pavilion at the temple as a stateroom. The local officers, without any notice in advance about the king’s visit and overnight stay, tried their best to prepare for his coming. Although there was no official reception, the welcoming party was fairly prepared, but quite enjoyable. As the time passed 8 p.m., Krom Luang Nares, the Minister of Interior, came and heard of the King’s remark “The seat is hard. I didn’t know that before. But even when I knew that, I rushed here. I am going to stay here until the next morning.” In Rattanakosin era 125 (B.E. 2449), King Rama V made a visit to both of the temples again. However, there were many people knowing about his visit, so an official reception was duly prepared. It was recorded in the writing by Somdej Phra Chao Borommawong Thoe Krom Phraya Damrong Ratchanuphap of the royal visit that “On the 27th of July, I left Suan Dusit at 8 p.m., went to the palace and then to Baan Burachat. After finishing praying to the Buddha, judging the Beijing piece on 10.30 p.m. and pouring water over the Buddha image, I went back to the palace before saying farewell to the king and taking the boat to reach Tamnak Paewang at 11 o’clock and Wat Khema at 11.30 …On the 27th at 6.30 a.m., I took a photo and granted an audience to the village headman and Phra Vinairakkit to whom I donated a sum of money for charitable purpose before getting in the boat to Talad Bang Ken (Bang Ken Market), taking a photo at the custom house, and getting back to the boat with glee. It was 3.14 in the afternoon when I passed by Wat Khema and took 70 minutes from there to Wat Pak Ao (Wat Paramaiyikawat)” Nonthaburi residents felt very grateful indeed for King Rama V’s royal grace which helped improve their quality of lives as he witnessed the living conditions and community surroundings. Although it has been more than a hundred years since his last visit, hearsay about their beloved king and their gratitude exist along with the flow of the Chao Phraya River and the land of Siam.