Field Marshal Chao Phraya Surasak Montri (Cherm Sang-Chooto) (1851-1931)

Phraya Anutoot (Kem Sang-Chooto) (1870-1939)

Krom Luang Ratchaburi Direkridhi (1874-1920)

     Prince Surasak readily consented and instructed Krom Luang Ratchaburi Direkridhi to take the car to the Corrections Division for repairs. Unfortunately, Krom Luang Ratchaburi died before the repairs were completed and some time lapsed before Prince Damrong was able to follow up the matter. At the Corrections Division, he was met first with consternation and then, once the workmen realized what he was talking about, with rueful smiles. They led him to a corner where in the dim light sat a heap of metal, the derelict skeleton of its former glory that had been stripped by scrap mechants leaving behind virtually nothing but a few unsalvageable pieces of rusting iron. In this manner did the pioneer automobile end its days.

     Thailand's Royal Family has always been outward looking, seeking new knowledge in order to advance the country and ensure it a place in the front ranks of progressive nations. Thailand's kings were welcoming new scientific knowledge they knew would change their lives for the better.

    King Monkut (Rama IV) who reigned from 1815 to 1868 was an ardent astronomer whose study was filled with scientific instruments and who corresponded regularly with learned men of Europe. King Mongkut's son, King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) who reigned from 1868 to 1910 and his many brothers were no less mechanically inclined. In 1884, the King commanded that electricity be installed to light the palace and, in 1897, the city. In 1893, Danish engineers were commissioned to install an electric tram system in Bangkok, 10 years before Cophenhangen had an electric tram line of its own and was the first country in Asia to have electric tram system.

    The King also sent his dozens of sons and princes into the industrial countries of the West to absorb their knowledge and return to Thailand to impart it to others. In this way, Thailand would later become one of the first countries to enter the Air Age. Skilled in the air and on the sea, it is little wonder that Thais were among the first to adopt the car enthusiastically, nor that princes were at the forefront of the vehicular revolution in Thailand.

   In 1904, a grand total of three cars were cruising Bangkok's streets. Unfortunately, there is no record of their makes or owners. In the same year, one of King Chulalongkorn's sons, Krom Luang Ratchaburi Direkridhi, traveled to Paris for medical treatment. While there, he ordered a Daimler-Benz, regarded as the epitome of automobile excellence. He made his purchase from the German manufacturer's French agent, M. Emile Jellinek whose daughter's name "Mercedes" would one day replace "Daimler" to give the world the "Mercedes-Benz".

   On his return to Thailand later in the year, the Prince presented the car to King Chulalongkorn, making it the first of a long line of superior automobiles owned by the Royal Family. The Prince graciously consented to be its chauffeur. The King quickly grew to enjoy travelling by motor car preferring its convenience and speed to that of horse-drawn carriages. In his leisure moments, he would instruct Prince Ratchaburi to take him and members of his family on long tours of the city. He soon found his relatives clamouring to go with him at every opportunity, more than could possibly fit into a single vehicle. He thereupon decided to buy a second car.

   Once again, Prince Ratchaburi chose a Mercede-Benz, this time imported directly from Germany. The 1905 Mercedes he selected was a four-cylinder 28HP model capable of speeds up to 73km/hr quite considerable in those days. Painted in a bright red with the silver gleam of chrome trim, it seemed the perfect vehicle to convey a Thai monarch to his various appointments.

   After a few weeks of preparation, the car was presented to the King. His Majesty stepped into it, took a short drive, and declared himself pleased with it. He even gave it a name "Kaew Chakrapat", It continued to give him satisfactory service for several years thereafter.

"Kaew Charkrapat"

   His Majesty was not the only one whose imagination had been caught by the car craze. Others had contracted the fever for the numbers of automobiles began increasing at a rapid rate. The local motor car population had grown so large that the King felt a celebration was warranted. Near the end of the rainy season, the Palace announced that on Saturday, October 7, 1905, "by special command of His Majesty the King, a motor car meet will be held, the first of its kind in Bangkok". In all, 98 cars, including 12 cars that belonged to the Royal collections, assembled at the Grand Palace where their owners were greeted by His Majesty.

   The question arises of where these early motorists drove their vehicles. Until 1863, Bangkok had only dirt paths, trodden (and probably firmly compacted) by elephants. In response to this problem, King Mongkut in 1863 decreed the construction of New Road, the first macadamized road in the city. It began at the palace wall, and ran 6.5 kilometers along the river to end at Tanon Tok and Bangkolem where many foreign residents had their homes. Road building progressed little beyond that in the next 30 years. By 1892, there were still only 12 kilometers in all though some of the thoroughfares were over 20 meters wide and were bordered by footpaths and drains.

   Within 15 years, the situation was much improved, spurred in large part by the introduction of the motor car. It would be a decade before macadamized roads led out of the city and not until 1932 that the first bridge would be built to span the Chao Phraya River. Long distance travel was also curtailed by the lack of petrol pumps outside the city center. Despite that, they still purchased new cars.

   In 1908, on the occasion of his 56th birthday, King Chulalongkorn ordered motor cars as presents for his relatives and for high-ranking government officials, the latter vehicles to be used in government service. Once again, he called upon Prince Ratchaburi who subsequently ordered 10 cars from France. As with those already in the Royal Stables, His Majesty gave each new car a name, much in the manner that white elephants considered symbols of the monarch's status and wealth, were named and honoured. When one spoke of one of His Majesty's cars, he mentioned only the name. Among the handsome names given to the cars were: Kaew Chakrapat, Maneerattana, Tadmarut, Iyarapote, Kang-han, Rachanuyanta, Sala saluay, Krasuaythong, Lamlongthap, Parpayon, Kolkambang, and Suwanmukee.

  With so many new additions to the Royal Collection, it became necessary to train a host of new drivers. His Majesty selected the brightest boys from ranks of his royal pages and gave instructions they were to be trained. The role of instructor was, oddly, given to woman, Princess Pim Rampai. Prince Ratchaburi's daughter. The Princess is one of the best drivers in the Royal family.

     In 1908, the Kingdom dressed up in its finest to celebrate a unique occasion: King Chulalongkorn's 40th year on the throne of Thailand then the longest reign in Thai history. Town and building were specially lighted and decorated. Of course, there had to be a car cavalcade as well. For the parade, each car owner decorated his vehicle to resemble a mythical animal or hero.

HM King Chulalongkorn in his motor car

    In 1909, King Chulalongkorn was obliged to decree the first Motor Car Registration Act to go into effect the following year. Owners were required to register their vehicles with the Ministry of Interior and to pay fee.

Motor car registration during King Rama V

    The opening of yet another car dealership, sough to cash in on the hordes of eager buyers. A ride through town would have taken one past shops sporting signs such as these:
   G.R. Andre, situated at Sikak Pharayasri, the agent for the Adam Opel of Ruesselsheim. Bangkok Trust Ltd., in Yanawa was the agent for motor cars made by the Armstrong Siddeley, Silent Knight and Fork and for the Star Store trucks and buses. The company maintained Thailand's largest garage. Comptoir Francais du Siem, on Si Phya Road handled a number of French makes. John M. Dunlop, was the agent for the General Motors Company of America. S.A.B., on New Road sold Ble'riot cars and had its own garage to repair. Siam Import Company, was the agent for Napier cars, Peugeot was handled exclusively by Siam Forest Trust Ltd (later changed to BaraWinsor) was the agent for the four-cylinder, 18HP Gagenau produced by Suddeutsche Automobil-Fabrik.

   The Golden Age of Motoring in Thailand dates from the period of HM King Prajadipok (Rama VII) who reign from 1926-1935. During this period, a large number of cars were added to the Royal Collection. The hallmark of the Collection is that only the finest models of the great marques were bought. Among the collections were: Rolls-Royce, Avions Voisin ,Delage, Hispano-Suiza, Hotchkiss, Mercedes-Benz, Alfa-Romeo, Pierce-Arrow and Cadillac.

     Today there are million of motor vehicles in Thailand. With the generous support from the past generations that a vital segment of Thailand's recent history has been kept alive and thriving, and act for which all Thais should be grateful.