Chakri Dynasty

Chakri Dynasty, ruling house of Thailand. It was founded in 1782, when General Chakri (1737-1809), a close aide to King Taksin, deposed a usurper who had seized the throne from the king. Chakri ruled under the royal name of Rama, as have his descendants to this day. He continued Taksin's restoration of the country after the devastating wars with Burma (now known as Myanmar), reorganized its defenses and administration, and founded modern Bangkok. Outstanding among his descendants were Mongkut (Rama IV, 1851-1868) and Chulalongkorn (Rama V), who spearheaded the modernization of the country and thus saved it from the European colonization that was the fate of its neighbors. The Chakris ruled with absolute power until 1932, when Thailand became a constitutional monarchy.