Rama III

{{Short description|King of Siam from 1824 to 1851}} {{more citations needed|date=March 2012}} {{Infobox royalty | title = [[King of Ayutthaya]]{{efn|Thai monarchs continued to refer to themselves as Kings of Ayutthaya long after the [[Siege of Ayutthaya|city's fall]], until the reign of [[Mongkut]], who adopted the title [[King of Siam]] in official treaties.}}<br />[[Rama (Kings of Thailand)|King Rama III]] | image = King Rama III of Siam (Nangklao) Portrait 2.jpg | caption = Portrait at the [[Grand Palace|Grand Palace, Bangkok]] | name = {{ubl|Nangklao|{{langn|th|นั่งเกล้า}}}} | succession = [[Monarchy of Thailand|King of Rattanakosin]]<ref>{{cite web|title=The title "King of Siam" was first used formally during the reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV)|url=https://www.silpa-mag.com/club/art-and-culture/article_10496|publisher=ศิลปวัฒนธรรม|date=6 July 2017}}</ref> | reign = 21 July 1824 – 2 April 1851 | coronation = 1 August 1824 | cor-type = thailand | predecessor = [[Rama II|Phutthaloetla Naphalai]] (Rama II) | successor = [[Mongkut]] (Rama IV) | regent = [[Sakdiphonlasep]] (1824–1832) | reg-type = [[Front Palace|Viceroy]] | birth_name = Thap (Chetsadabodin) | birth_date = {{birth date|df=y|1788|3|31}} | birth_place = [[Thonburi]], [[Rattanakosin Kingdom (1782–1932)|Siam]] | death_date = {{death date and age|df=y|1851|4|2|1788|3|31}} | death_place = [[Bangkok]], Siam | spouses = Various consorts | issue = 51 sons and daughters | dynasty = [[Chakri dynasty|Chakri]] | father = [[Rama II|Phutthaloetla Naphalai]] (Rama II) | mother = [[Sri Sulalai]] | religion = [[Theravada Buddhism]] | signature = Privy Seal of King Rama III (Jessadabodindra).svg | signature_type = Seal }}

'''Nangklao'''{{efn|{{langx|th|นั่งเกล้า}}}} (born '''Thap'''{{efn|also '''Tub''', {{langx|th|ทับ}}, lit. 'crush'}}; 31 March 1788 – 2 April 1851), also known by his posthumous [[regnal name]] '''Rama III''', was [[Monarchy of Thailand|King of Rattanakosin]] from 1824 to his death in 1851. During his reign, he initiated the country's first cautious engagements with the West. [[Rattanakosin Kingdom|Siam's]] territory also reached its greatest extent during this period.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rama III – king of Siam |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Rama-III |website=Encyclopaedia Britannica |accessdate=8 November 2025}}</ref>

Nangklao was the eldest surviving son of King [[Rama II]]. His mother [[Sri Sulalai]] was one of Rama II's secondary wives. Nangklao was likely designated as heir by his father. His accession was uncontested and smoothly confirmed by the grand council. Foreign observers, however, falsely perceived him as having usurped the prior claim of his younger half-brother Prince [[Mongkut]], who was born to Queen [[Sri Suriyendra]] and thus "[[Legitimacy (family law)|legitimate]]" according to Western customs.<ref>{{Cite book |author=J. B. Terwiel |title=Thailand's Political History: From the Fall of Ayutthaya in 1767 to Recent Times |publisher=River Books |year=2005 |pages=107–108}}</ref> Under the old concept of Thai monarchy, however, a proper king must emulate [[Maha Sammata]] in that he must be "elected by the people."<ref name="JSS_036_2b">{{cite journal |last=Dhani Nivat |first=Kromamun Bidyalabh Bluitiyakara |author-link=พระวรวงศ์เธอ พระองค์เจ้าธานีนิวัต กรมหมื่นพิทยลาภพฤฒิยากร |year=1947 |title=The Old Siamese Conception of the Monarchy |journal=Journal of the Siam Society |volume=36 |issue=2b |pages=94 |publisher=Siamese Heritage Trust |url=http://www.siamese-heritage.org/jsspdf/1941/JSS_036_2b_PrinceDhani_OldSiameseConceptionOfMonarchy.pdf |access-date=7 March 2013 |quote=The ''[[Dharmaśāstra|Thammasat]]'' describes its ideal of a monarch as a King of Righteousness, elected by the people (the ''Maha Sammata'').}}</ref> Ironically, Mongkut may have later contributed to this misconception, when he feared that his own accession might be perceived by foreign observers as a usurpation.<ref name="JSS_057_1f_Bradley">{{cite journal |last=Bradley |first=William Lee |author-link=William Lee Bradley |year=1969 |title=The Accession of King Mongkut (Notes) |journal=Journal of the Siam Society |volume=57 |issue=1f |pages=160 |publisher=Siam Heritage Trust |url=http://www.siamese-heritage.org/jsspdf/1961/JSS_057_1f_Bradley_AccessionOfKingMongkut.pdf |access-date=17 March 2013 |quote=[Vella] holds this to be 'the view of many western writers' and it dates from the reign of King Mongkut, owing largely to their mistaken belief that because he was the son of a minor wife, Prince Chesda was illegitimate. The indication is that the western writers adopted this view from Mongkut himself, as the subsequent story will show.}}</ref>

During Nangklao's reign, the crown strengthened the tax-farming system, which became a major and more reliable source of revenue for the kingdom. The [[Burney Treaty]] (1826) further liberalized foreign trade and reduced the royal warehouse monopoly, generating substantial income for the state. For his contributions to trade and economic development, he is regarded as "the father of Thai commerce". In military affairs, Siam consolidated its regional dominance by suppressing the [[Laotian Rebellion]] (1826–1828, in what is now the [[Isan]] region) and by prevailing in the [[Siamese–Vietnamese War (1831–34)]] and the subsequent [[Siamese–Vietnamese War (1841–45)|campaign in Cambodia (1841–1845)]].

==Early life== Nangklao was born as Prince Thap in 1788 to Prince Itsarasunthon and one of his royal wives, Chao Chom Manda [[Sri Sulalai|Riam]], who came from a Muslim noble family from the south. Riam also birthed two siblings for Prince Thap who both died in the same year, Pom (1790–93) and Noo Dam (1792–93). Following Itsarasunthon's coronation (posthumously known as [[Phutthaloetla Naphalai]], or Rama II) in 1809, Prince Kshatriyanuchit (Mom Men), a surviving son of Taksin, revolted as [[pretender]] to the throne. Prince Thap was assigned to suppress the rebellion, which he did. Praised by his father for his competence, Prince Thap was given the [[Sanskrit]]-derived title ''Chetsadabodin'', raised to the bureaucratic rank of [[Thai royal ranks and titles#Krom|Kromma Muen]], and served his father as ''[[Kromma Tha]]'' (minister of trade and foreign affairs). He received the sobriquet "Chao Sua"{{efn|{{langx|th|เจ้าสัว}}, literally "merchant magnate"; a Thai term of Chinese origin referring to a wealthy merchant or financier.}}, bestowed by his father in recognition of his commercial acumen. As Kromma Tha, he developed proficiency in foreign trade, and developed an affection for Chinese goods and culture. Temples he later had constructed were characterized by Chinese influence. After a private audience in 1822, Crawfurd wrote of the Prince Krom-chiat that, "he seemed certainly to maintain the character assigned to him in public estimation, of being the most intelligent of all the princes and chiefs of the Siamese Court." The Portuguese Consul stated that the Prince had offered him a large sum of money, if he would translate from the French into the Portuguese language a history of the wars of [[Napoleon]], for the purpose of being rendered into Siamese through the Christian interpreters.<ref name = "Crawfurd"/><!-- reuse as <ref name="Crawfurd" />{{rp|pp._&ndash;_}} -->

==Succession== [[File:Map of Rattanakosin Kingdom in 1837.jpg|thumb|Rattanakosin during Rama III's reign]] As the prince administered trade affairs, his half-brother Prince Mongkut pursued the way of religion, becoming a [[bhikkhu|monk]] in 1824. In that year, Phutthaloetla Naphalai died suddenly without having named a successor to [[Front Palace|viceroy]] [[Maha Senanurak]], who had died 16 July 1817. According to the traditions of royal succession, the viceroy or [[uparaja]] was [[heir presumptive]]. If there were none, then an ''[[ad hoc]]'' ''[[senabodi]]'' consisting of senior officials present at the death of a king, would elect a successor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/thailand/history-rattanakosin.htm |title=Rattanakosin Period (1782–present) |website=Thailand Introduction |publisher=GlobalSecurity.org |date=18 August 2013 |access-date=5 June 2013 |quote=If there was no uparaja at the time of the king's death—and this was frequently the case—the choice of a new monarch drawn from the royal family was left to the Senabodi, the council of senior officials, princes, and Buddhist prelates that assembled at the death of a king. It was such a council that chose Nang Klao's successor.}}</ref> Foreign observers accustomed to the concept of an [[heir apparent]] expected Prince Mongkut, as a son of the queen, to ascend to the throne. However, the assembled Senabodi considered Prince Chetsadabodin a more competent choice as he had served the king in ''[[Kromma Tha]]'' for years. Support came strongly from high-ranking nobility, including ''[[Chao Phraya (title)|Chao Phraya]]'' Abhay Pudhorn, the ''[[Samuha Nayok]]'', and [[Dis Bunnag]] then Minister of ''Kromma Tha'', and other [[Bunnag family]] members.

Chetsadabodin accepted the throne and was [[Coronation of the Thai monarch|crowned]] in 1824. He raised his mother Riam to Princess Mother Sri Sulalai. He appointed his uncle, [[Sakdiphonlasep]], viceroy on 21 July 1824 – who predeceased the king 1 May 1832, leading to yet another succession crisis. He did not [[#Naming of the reigns|name his reign]], but was posthumously awarded the name '''Nangklao''' by Mongkut, who had in the interim remained in ecclesiastic status to avoid the intrigues of royal politics.<ref name = "Roberts-1837"/>{{RP|300}}

==Western contacts== [[File:Battle of rangoon.jpg|thumb|During the First Anglo-Burmese War, Nangklao initially assisted the British during the war]] The reign of Nangklao (as he was posthumously known) saw the renewal of Western contacts. In 1822, British [[East India Company]] agent [[John Crawfurd#Mission to Siam, Cochin China|John Crawfurd's mission to Siam]]<ref name = "Crawfurd">{{cite book |last= Crawfurd |first= John |author-link= John Crawfurd |title= Journal of an Embassy from the Governor-general of India to the Courts of Siam and Cochin China |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=sAUPAAAAYAAJ |volume= 1 |date= 21 August 2006 |orig-year= 1830 |publisher= H. Colburn and R. Bentley |location= London |oclc= 03452414 |access-date= February 2, 2012 |edition= 2nd }} [https://archive.org/details/journalanembass04crawgoog Alt URL]</ref> laid the groundwork for a British request for Siamese support in the [[First Anglo-Burmese War]], which broke out in 1824. Nangklao provided fleets and elephants and sent Siamese armies to participate in the invasion of Burma since the British promised Siam the conquered lands. [[Phraya]] Chumporn ordered the [[forced migration]] of [[Mergui]] (a common practice in Southeast Asia regarding the newly-conquered lands),<ref>{{cite journal | last=Van Roy | first=Edward| title=Safe Haven: Mon Refugees at the Capitals of Siam from the 1500s to the 1800s | journal=Journal of the Siam Society | volume=98 | date=2010 | pages=172–73 | url=https://thesiamsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/JSS_098_0g_VanRoy_SafeHavenMonRefugeesAtCapitalsOfSiam.pdf}}</ref> which had been conquered by the British. The British were frustrated at Phraya Chumporn's actions, and hostilities were heightened. Nangklao ordered the Siamese armies to leave to avoid further conflict.{{citation needed|date=January 2022}}

In 1825, [[Henry Burney]] arrived to negotiate peace agreements. The [[Burney Treaty]] was the first treaty with the West during the [[Rattanakosin period]]. Its purpose was to establish [[free trade]] in Siam and to greatly reduce taxation on foreign trading ships. Whether it accomplished these objectives is disputed.<ref name="Terwiel-1991">{{cite journal |last=Terwiel |first=B. J. |year=1991 |title=The Bowring Treaty: Imperialism and the Indigenous Perspective |journal=Journal of the Siam Society |volume=79 |issue=2 |url=http://www.siamese-heritage.org/jsspdf/1991/JSS_079_2f_Terwiel_BowringTreaty.pdf |access-date=3 January 2019 |quote=In this paper the evidence upon which historians have based their statements on the Treaty's economic results is examined. It will be shown that all take their cue from Bowring's own words. Secondly, it will be shown that Bowring's remarks are not necessarily a reliable indicator.}}</ref>

In 1833, [[President of the United States|US President]] [[Andrew Jackson]]'s "special agent" and [[Envoy (title)|envoy]] [[Edmund Roberts (diplomat)|Edmund Roberts]], referring often to Crawfurd's account,<ref name="Roberts-1837">{{cite book |last=Roberts |first=Edmund |title=Embassy to the Eastern Courts of Cochin-China, Siam, and Muscat: in the U.S. sloop-of-war Peacock ... during the years 1832–3–4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aSgPAAAAYAAJ |date=12 October 2007 |orig-year=1837 |publisher=Harper & Brothers |isbn=9780608404066 |access-date=25 April 2012 |quote=Here they were pointed to Mr. Crawford{{sic}}'s account of his mission to Siam and Cochin-China, page 269....}}</ref>{{rp|pp198ff}} concluded the [[Siamese–American Treaty of Amity and Commerce]], signed at the Royal City of Sia-Yut'hia (Bangkok) on 20 March, the last of the fourth month of the year 1194 CS ([[Chula Sakarat]]). This treaty, with later modifications, is still in force.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://photos.state.gov/libraries/thailand/33889/PDFs/treaty1833.pdf |title=Siam. 1833. |author=William M. Malloy |website=Compilation of Treaties in Force |publisher=[[United States Government Printing Office|Govt. Print. Off.]] |location=Washington, D.C. |access-date=12 April 2012 |quote=Revised ed. Prepared under the direction of the Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, by William M. Malloy. (Treaties and Conventions, 1889, p. 992.) The provisions of this treaty were later modified by the [[Townsend Harris#Harris Treaty of 1856 with Siam|Treaty of 1856]].}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2814.htm |title=Thailand |author=Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs |date=18 April 2012 |website=Bureau of Public Affairs: Electronic Information Publications – Background Notes |publisher=[[Bureau of Public Affairs]] |access-date=20 May 2012 |quote=The 1966 Treaty of Amity and Economic Relations, the most recent iteration...}}</ref> [[Dan Beach Bradley]], an American physician and prominent Western personality of the time, introduced printing and [[vaccination]].

==Anouvong insurgency== {{main article|Lao rebellion (1826–1828)}} {{Chakri Kings}} The three Laotian kingdoms ([[Lan Xang]] in [[Vientiane]], [[Luang Prabang]], and [[Kingdom of Champasak|Champasak]]) became Siamese [[tributary state]]s after [[Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke|Chao Phraya Maha Kshatriyaseuk]] (King Rama I, Nangklao's grandfather) had conquered them in 1778. [[Anouvong]], the son of the king of Vientiene, was taken to Bangkok as a captive. He spent nearly thirty years in Siam and joined the Siamese forces in wars with Burma. In 1805, Anouvong returned to Vientiane to be crowned as the king.

In 1824, Phutthaloetla Naphalai died and, in the following year, Siam was dragged into conflicts with the [[British Empire]].<ref>{{cite journal|title= Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong Branch|date=1969|volume=9 |last=Bruce|first=Robert| url=http://hkjo.lib.hku.hk/archive/files/69fd1aab94ec2cfd112df0af2343fce4.pdf |website=Hong Kong Journals Online}}</ref> Anouvong saw this as an opportunity to wield his power. In 1825, returning from the funeral of Phutthaloetla Naphalai in Bangkok, Anouvong assembled a large force and went on the offensive. After defeating Bangkok-vassal principalities along the way, Anouvong captured [[Nakhon Ratchasima|Korat]], the main defensive stronghold of Siam in the northeast. He forced the city to be evacuated while marching to [[Saraburi]], on approach to the capital, Bangkok. However, the Korat captives rebelled—said to have been at the instigation of [[Thao Suranari|Lady Mo]], wife of a ruling noble of Korat—although this claim is countered by many historians who say Mo had no heroic role in the events at Tung Samrit, though a contemporary account did mention her action. As Bangkok gathered counterattacking troops, Anouvong withdrew to return to Vientiane.

Nangklao sent his uncle [[Maha Sakdi Polsep]] the [[Front Palace]] and [[Sing Singhaseni]] (at the time [[Style (manner of address)|style]]d [[Phraya]] Ratchasuphawadi) to defeat the armies of Anouvong in [[Isan]]. Anouvong was defeated and fled to Vietnam. The Siamese captured Vientiane and ordered the evacuation of the city.

In 1827, Nangklao ordered the [[debellatio|total destruction]] of Vientiane. Anouvong returned to Laos with Vietnamese forces. Ratchasuphawadi led the Siamese to fight and the engagements occurred at [[Nong Khai]]. Anouvong was defeated again and, after an attempt to flee, was captured. Vientiane was razed, extinguishing her 200 year reign, and ceased to be a kingdom. Anouvong was imprisoned in an iron cage in front of the [[Grand Palace#Phra Thinang Suthaisawan Prasat|Suthaisawan Hall]] and died in 1829.<ref>{{cite book |title= Journal of a nine months' residence in Siam |url= https://archive.org/details/journalaninemon00tomlgoog |last= Tomlin |first= Jacob |author-link= Jacob Tomlin |year= 1831 |publisher= Frederick Westley and A.H. Davis |location= London|page=[https://archive.org/details/journalaninemon00tomlgoog/page/n111 103]}}</ref>

==Vietnam and Cambodia== {{main article|Siamese–Vietnamese War (1831–1834)|Siamese–Vietnamese War (1841–1845)}} In 1810, internal conflicts between Cambodian princes forced Ang Im and [[Ang Duong]] to flee to Bangkok. Otteyraja of Cambodia turned to [[Gia Long]] of Vietnam for support against the opposing princes. However, this was perceived by Siam as treacherous as the two countries had fought for centuries for control of Cambodia.

In 1833, the [[Lê Văn Khôi revolt]] against [[Minh Mạng]] broke out in Vietnam. [[Lê Văn Khôi]], the rebel leader, sought Siamese aid. Nangklao intended to take this opportunity to install a pro-Siamese monarch on the Cambodian throne.

Phraya Ratchasuphawadi, who had been promoted to ''Chao Phraya'' Bodindecha, was ordered to capture [[Saigon]]. Dis Bunnag, the Minister of ''Kromma Tha'', commanded a fleet to rendezvous with ground forces at Saigon. The two Cambodian princes, Ang Im and Ang Duong, also joined the expedition. Bodindecha took [[Oudong|Udongk]] and the fleet took [[Banteay Meas District|Bantey Mas]]. The fleet proceeded to Saigon but was repelled.

Bodindecha then took [[Phnom Penh]] and again invaded Vietnam by land in 1842. In 1845, the Vietnamese recaptured Phnom Penh, but Bodindecha was able to defend Udongk. In 1847, prompted by Emperor [[Thiệu Trị]]'s treatment of Christian missionaries, French forces invaded Vietnam. A cessation of hostilities with Siam was negotiated. Ang Duong was installed as the Cambodian monarch under the equal patronage of both Siam and Vietnam, thus ending the war.

==Revolt of Kedah== In 1837, Krom Somdet Phra Sri Suralai, mother of Nangklao, died. All officials throughout the kingdom went to Bangkok to attend the funeral. At Syburi ([[Kedah]] of [[Malaysia]] now), without the presence of Siamese governors, a nephew of the [[Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Halim Shah II|Sultan of Kedah]] then staged a revolt. Nangklao then sent [[Pichaiyat|Tat Bunnag]] down south to subjugate the rebellion quickly in 1838. Tat then suggested an autonomous government for Kedah Sultanate. In 1839, Kedah was divided into four autonomous parts.

==Religious devotion and educational reforms== Nangklao was famous for his [[Theravada Buddhism|Buddhist faith]]. He fed the poor each day after becoming prince, and released animals every monastery day. More than 50 [[wat|temples]] were built and repaired in his reign, including the first Chinese style temple at [[Dhammakaya Movement#Wat Rajorasaram|Rajorasa]], the highest stupa at [[Wat Arun]], the Golden Mountain at Wat Saket, the metal temple at [[Wat Ratchanadda]], and Chetupol Temple or [[Wat Pho]]. Wat Pho is the site of the first [[university]] in Thailand. Under his reign, King Rama III was also responsible for the writing of the Chindamanee textbook and also the revision of the Buddhist Canon, the ''[[Pali canon|Tipitaka]]'' which was to be distributed throughout the kingdom. In addition to that Rama III also allowed monks to use castles as classrooms for the teaching of Buddhist faith.

==Death== Nangklao died on 2 April 1851 without having named a successor. He had 51 children including sons,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Baker |first1=Chris |last2=Phongpaichit |first2=Pasuk |title=A History of Thailand |date=2009 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=9780521759151 |page=31 |edition=2nd |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TEdueeBj1H0C&q=Nangklao+children&pg=PA31 }}</ref> but had raised none of his consorts to the queen. The throne passed to his younger paternal half-brother, Prince [[Mongkut]].

==Legacy== [[File:King Rama III statue in Bangkok.jpg|thumb|180px|Statue of King Rama III at Wat Ratchanatdaram, Bangkok]] [[File:Wat Yannawa - 001 Concrete Chinese Junk (12130458466).jpg|thumb|180px|[[Wat Yannawa]] was patronised by Nangklao, who ordered the temple enlarged and constructed many new structures within. The temple is shaped like a Chinese junk to commemorate the significance of Chinese commerce and influence in Siam during Nangklao's reign]] Nangklao is remembered as a commercially minded monarch whose reign consolidated Siam's early-Rattanakosin economy. He has been commemorated in Thailand as the "father of Thai commerce", the "father of Thai maritime trade", and the "father of [[Thai traditional medicine]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.silpa-mag.com/this-day-in-history/article_7904 |title=31 มีนาคม วันคล้ายวันพระราชสมภพพระเจ้าอยู่หัว รัชกาลที่ 3 |website=ศิลปวัฒนธรรม (Silpa-Mag) |language=th |access-date=7 November 2025}}</ref> Administratively and fiscally, his promotion of tax-farming and robust China-linked exchange helped secure steady crown revenues in the 1820s–1840s.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.silpa-mag.com/history/article_148421 |title=ภาษีอากร 38 ชนิด ที่เกิดขึ้นในสมัยรัชกาลที่ 3 |website=ศิลปวัฒนธรรม (Silpa-Mag) |language=th |date=17 February 2025 |access-date=7 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.silpa-mag.com/history/article_88331 |title=จิ้มก้อง การค้าไทย-จีน สร้างรายได้มหาศาลช่วงต้นรัตนโกสินทร์ |website=ศิลปวัฒนธ���รม (Silpa-Mag) |language=th |date=16 June 2022 |access-date=7 November 2025}}</ref>

Culturally, Nangklao left a lasting built heritage in Bangkok, patronising temple construction and a distinct Sino-Thai aesthetic. Notable works include [[Wat Ratchanatdaram]] and the [[Loha Prasat]], commissioned during his reign.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.silpa-mag.com/history/article_150299 |title=วัดราชนัดดารามวรวิหาร “พระราชนัดดา” พระองค์ใดในรัชกาลที่ 3 ? |website=ศิลปวัฒนธรรม (Silpa-Mag) |language=th |date=24 March 2025 |access-date=7 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.silpa-mag.com/history/article_42217 |title=ความเป็นกรุงเทพฯ ที่แท้จริง เริ่มสมัย “รัชกาลที่ 3” |website=ศิลปวัฒนธรรม (Silpa-Mag) |language=th |date=29 November 2019 |access-date=7 November 2025}}</ref> His guidance to his successor—preserved in later accounts—stressed frugality, concord with the sangha, and vigilance in foreign affairs, themes that shaped the early reign of Mongkut (Rama IV).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.silpa-mag.com/history/article_150354 |title=พระราชดำริ รัชกาลที่ 3 ถึงผู้เสวยราชย์ต่อ-ฝากฝังบ้านเมือง |website=ศิลปวัฒนธรรม (Silpa-Mag) |language=th |date=25 March 2025 |access-date=7 November 2025}}</ref>

Commemoration of his reign continues in modern Thailand; 31 March is observed annually as "King Nangklao Memorial Day".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dhr.go.th/post/publicity/572 |title=31 มีนาคม ของทุกปี เป็นวันที่ระลึกพระบาทสมเด็จพระนั่งเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว |website=dhr.go.th |language=th |access-date=7 November 2025}}</ref>

===Commemoration=== * [[Thai baht]] 15th Series banknotes issued to draw attention to deeds of Chakri Dynasty monarchs in agriculture, science, religion and finance, depicted King Rama III on the reverse of the 500 baht banknote issued 3 August 2001, with a partial quotation of his deathbed statement below a [[Junk (ship)#19th century junks .28Qing Dynasty.29|Chinese sailing ship]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bot.or.th/English/Banknotes/HistoryANdSeriesOfBanknotes/Pages/Banknote_Series15.aspx|title=Banknotes, Series 15|date=February 23, 2012|website=[[Bank of Thailand]]|access-date=2019-01-03|quote=Thai: การงานสิ่งไตของเขาที่ดี ควนจะเรียนร่ำเอาไว้ก็เอาอย่างเขา แต่อย่าให้นับถือเลื่อนใสไปทีเดียว|archive-date=2008-12-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204165350/http://www.bot.or.th/English/Banknotes/HistoryANdSeriesOfBanknotes/Pages/Banknote_Series15.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> * A statue of Rama III was dedicated in the front of [[Wat Ratchanatdaram]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://mgronline.com/travel/detail/9550000156878|script-title=th:เสริมสิริมงคลรับปีใหม่กับเส้นทางไหว้กษัตริย์ 9 พระองค์|date=26 December 2012|newspaper=[[ASTV Manager]]|access-date=3 August 2017|language=th|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260429053016/https://mgronline.com/travel/detail/9550000156878|archive-date=29 April 2026|url-status=live}}</ref> * [[Phra Nang Klao Hospital]] is a hospital in [[Nonthaburi Province]] bearing his name. * [[Phra Nang Klao Bridge]] is a bridge across the [[Chao Phraya River]] in Nonthaburi Province bearing his name, with the [[Phra Nang Klao Bridge MRT Station|Phra Nang Klao Bridge MRT station]]. * [[Maha Chesadabodindranusorn Bridge]] is a bridge across the Chao Phraya River in Nonthaburi Province bearing his title.

==Ancestry== {{ahnentafel |collapsed=yes |align=center | boxstyle_1 = background-color: #fcc; | boxstyle_2 = background-color: #fb9; | boxstyle_3 = background-color: #ffc; | boxstyle_4 = background-color: #bfc; | boxstyle_5 = background-color: #9fe; | 1 = 1. '''King Nangklao, Rama III of Rattanakosin''' | 2 = 2. [[Rama II|King Phutthaloetla Naphalai, Rama II of Rattanakosin]] | 3 = 3. [[Sri Sulalai|Princess Riam of Rattanakosin]] | 4 = 4. [[Rama I|King Phutthayotfa Chulalok, Rama I of Rattanakosin]] | 5 = 5. [[Amarindra|Nak na Bangxang]] | 6 = 6. Bunchan, Phraya Nanthaburi Sri Maha-uthayan | 7 = 7. Pheng | 8 = 8. Thongdi, Phra Akson Sunthonsat | 9 = 9. Yok | 10 = 10. Thong na Bangxang | 11 = 11. Princess Rupsirisobhak Mahanagnari | 12 = | 13 = | 14 = 14. Wang, Phraya Ratchawangsan | 15 = 15. Chu }}

==See also== {{Portal|Thailand|History|Biography}} {{commons category|Rama III}} * [[List of people with the most children]]

==Notes== {{notelist}}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *[http://www.thailandguidebook.com/provinces/bangkok.html Phra Bat Somdet Phra Nangklao Chao Yu Hua]

{{s-start}} {{s-hou|[[Chakri dynasty|House of Chakri]]|31 March|1788|2 April|1851|name=Nangklao (Rama III)}} {{s-reg}} {{s-bef|before=[[Rama II|Phutthaloetla Naphalai]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Monarchy of Thailand|King of Rattanakosin]]|years=21 July 1824 – 2 April 1851}} {{s-aft|after=[[Mongkut]]}} {{s-end}}

{{Monarchs of Thailand}} {{Rattanakosin}} {{Thai princes}} {{Authority control}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Rama 03}} [[Category:Thai people of Malay descent]] [[Category:Thai people of Mon descent]] [[Category:Rattanakosin Kingdom (1782–1932) people|Rama 03]] [[Category:1788 births]] [[Category:1851 deaths]] [[Category:18th-century Chakri dynasty]] [[Category:19th-century Chakri dynasty]] [[Category:Thai Theravada Buddhists]] [[Category:19th-century Thai monarchs]] [[Category:19th-century monarchs in Asia]] [[Category:Thai diplomats]] [[Category:Thai male Phra Ong Chao]] [[Category:Thai male Mom Chao]]