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| King Rama V | |
 Formal portrait, c. 1900s | |
| King of Siam | |
| Reign | 1 October 1868 – 23 October 1910 |
| Coronation |
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| Predecessor | Mongkut (Rama IV) |
| Successor | Vajiravudh (Rama VI) |
| Regent | Sri Suriwongse (1868–1873) |
| Viceroy | Wichaichan (1868–1885) |
| Born | 20 September 1853 Bangkok, Siam |
| Died | 23 October 1910 (aged 57) Bangkok, Siam |
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| House | Chakri dynasty |
| Father | Mongkut (Rama IV) |
| Mother | Debsirindra |
| Religion | Theravada Buddhism |
| Signature | .svg){kind=small} |
Chulalongkorn[a] (20 September 1853 – 23 October 1910), posthumously honoured as King Chulalongkorn the Great,[b] was the fifth king of Siam from the Chakri dynasty, titled Rama V.
Chulalongkorn was born as the son of Mongkut, the fourth king of Siam. In 1868, he travelled with his father and Westerners invited by Mongkut to observe the solar eclipse of 18 August 1868 in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. However, Chulalongkorn and his father both contracted malaria which resulted in his father's death.[clarification needed]
Chulalongkorn's reign was characterised by the modernisation of Siam, governmental and social reforms, and territorial concessions to the British and French empires. As Siam was surrounded by European colonies, Chulalongkorn, through his policies and acts, ensured the independence of Siam. He was mentioned as "One of the Rulers of the World at the Beginning of the 20th Century" and the "Greatest King of Siam and Thailand's History." Later, known for his conflicts in "1893 Franco-Siamese crisis" and the "Haw wars". Chulalongkorn reigned from 1868 until his death in 1910.
All his reforms were dedicated to ensuring Siam's independence given the increasing encroachment of Western powers, so that Chulalongkorn earned the epithet Phra Piya Maharat or known as the Great Beloved King.[c]
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