Si Suriyawongse

Photograph of Chao Phraya Si Suriyawongse

Somdet Chao Phraya Borom Maha Si Suriyawongse (Thai: สมเด็จเจ้าพระยาบรมมหาศรีสุริยวงศ์) (personal name Chuang Bunnag) December 23, 1808 – January 19, 1883) was a prominent 19th century Thai figure and served as the regent during the early years of the reign of King Chulalongkorn.

A member of a family originally of Persian origin, Si (or Sri) Suriyawongse was born the eldest son of Dis (ดิศ) Bunnag (Prayurawongse, สมเด็จเจ้าพระยาบรมมหาประยูรวงศ์) and Than Phuying Chan. Chuang was well educated for the time. King Mongkut made him Samuha Kalahom (สมุห สะ-ม-ุหะ กลาโหม), one of the two Ministers of old Siam.

Role

Si Suriyawongse, was one of the most important figures in the Mongkut's court. As he was the main supporter of Prince Mongkut to be enthroned, he eventually held the position of the Chancellor, or Samuha Kralahome, or the chief of the armed forces department. He was very well known as a pro-British official, or as a 'new generation' among the court's officials. He was interested in western learning in various fields such as science, engineering and steamship building, He had a very close relation with Prince Mongkut, the future Rama IV, supporting him to welcome British influence, western learning. He was also the key figure in promoting the Siam-British relationship, culminating in the Bowring Treaty in 1855, facilitating the economic relationship with Britain.

After the death of King Mongkut in 1868, his young son Prince Chulalongkorn became the new monarch. However, as the new king was underage, Si Suriyawongse was named as regent, a post he held until 1873.

He died in 1883 in Ratchaburi. Suriyawongse was also the first Thai to have a life insurance policy, after King Rama V granted foreign companies permission to extend their insurance business into Siam.

His son Won Bunnag succeeded him as Samuha Kalahom and also held the title Chao Phraya Surawongse.

Royal decorations

Si Suriyawongse received the following royal decorations in the Honours System of Thailand:

• Knight of the Ancient and Auspicious Order of the Nine Gems - B.E. 2412 (C.E. 1869-70)
• Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao - B.E. 2416 (C.E. 1873-74)
• Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant - circa B.E. 2412-16 (C.E. 1869-1974)
• Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand - B.E. 2419 (C.E. 1876-77)

External links

• (in Thai) Homepage of the Bunnag family
• (in Thai) Biography of Chuang Bunnag on the Bunnag website
• Biography of Somdejchaopraya Borommaha Sri Suriyawongse