On his accession to the throne, King Mongkut (Rama IV) was 47 years of age, having spent 27 years in the monkhood. During that long period in seclusion, he acquired a profound knowledge of Buddhism which he utilised in instituting a reform movement of the Buddhist Church. Western sciences and languages also absorbed his interest, as is attested by the fact that he specialised in astronomy and possessed a good working knowledge of English, which he learned from his American missionary friends. He also studied Latin with the Roman Catholic bishop and in turn taught him Pali. Thus he was well-equipped for the responsibilities of kingship, which account for the fact that he inaugurated a policy of modernising the country along Western lines, starting with the signing of a new set of treaties with the Western Powers in 1855.

King Mongkut opened the land to a vital flow of foreign commerce and opened men's minds to new ideas. He set up printing presses, built roads and canals, and issued the first modern currency to meet the requirements of his country's expanded trade. He reformed the administration, installed foreign advisers in government departments, called in European officers to improve the army and organised a police force. He reaffirmed the freedom of religion and encouraged the Christian missionaries in the educational and medical work. He also employed Mrs. Anna Leonowens, and English widow from Singapore, to teach English to his children. This modernisation policy, which benefited the country as a whole, was in most aspects continued and expanded by King Mongkut's successor, King Chulalongkorn, or Rama V, who ruled the country for 42 years (1868-1910).

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- information from "A Survey of Thai Arts and Architectural Attractions: a Manual for Tourist Guides"