Front Palace

Viceroy of Siam
กรมพระราชวังบวรสถานมงคล
Second-longest reigning
Maha Sura Singhanat

1782–3 November 1803
StyleHis Royal Highness
Type
ResidenceFront Palace
AppointerMonarch
Term lengthLife tenure or until accession as Sovereign
Formation1438 (586 years ago) (1438)
First holderRamesuan
Final holderWichaichan
Abolished28 August 1885
(139 years ago)
 (1885-08-28)
SuccessionCrown Prince of Siam
Unofficial namesFront Palace lord
DeputyDeputy Viceroy of Siam
Prince Wichaichan, the last holder of the Front Palace title

Krom Phra Ratchawang Bowon Sathan Mongkhon กรมพระราชวังบวรสถานมงคล, colloquially known as the Front Palace (Thai: วังหน้า, RTGSWang Na), was the title of the uparaja of Siam, variously translated as "viceroy", "vice king" or "Lord/Prince of the Front Palace", as the titleholder resided in the physical residence of the same name. The office of Front Palace was considered second only to the king and regarded as the heir presumptive. The name, with its dual meaning, originated in the Ayutthaya period, and the holder later gained significant powers during the Rattanakosin period. Front Palace occupants were usually a son or brother of the reigning monarch. The office existed until the death of the last occupant, Prince Wichaichan, in 1885. King Chulalongkorn then abolished the office of an heir presumptive, introducing in its stead the Western concept of a crown prince as heir apparent, and styled the new office "Crown Prince of Siam".[1]

  1. ^ "HM Second King Pinklao". Soravij. Archived from the original on 2013-05-10. Retrieved 2009-10-17.