Rama III
Nangklao (Rama III) or King Jessadabodindra (full royal name Prabath Somdej Pra Paramadhiwarasetha Maha Jessadabodindra Siammintarawirodom Borommadhammikkarajadhirat Boromanathbopitra Phra Nangklao Chaoyuhua or Thai: พระบาทสมเด็จพระปรมาธิวรเสรฐ มหาเจษฎาบดินทร์ สยามินทรวิโรดม บรมธรรมิกมหาราชาธิราช บรมนารถบพิตร พระนั่งเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว; March 31, 1788 - April 2, 1851) third of the Chakri dynasty, was king of Siam from 1824 to 1851.
Rama III was the last traditional monarch of Siam. Though his successors were also traditionalists, they modernized the kingdom to an extent.
Before succession
King Nangklao was born during the reign of King Buddha Yodfa Chulalok or Rama I. As the oldest grandson, he was named Tub ("live"). He was the oldest son of Prince Issarasundhorn (later King Buddha Loetla Nabhalai or Rama II) and Chao Chom Manda Riam (later KromSomdej Phra Srisulalai).
Prince Tub joined the army when his father and grandfather went to war with Burma. While in the military he was trained in the ways of the King. A week after his father became King the only surviving son of King Taksin, Prince Kasutranuchit revolted. Prince Tub led the Royal Police against Prince Kasutranuchit. After Prince Kasutranuchit was executed Prince Tub became Krommhean Jessadabodindra.
Succession
When Prince Jessadabodindra was 37, King Rama II became seriously ill and died, without having named his successor. According to law of succession Prince Mongkut (later King Mongkut) should have became king because he was born from the queen consort of King Rama II. But the older Prince Jessadabodindra was seen as a more appropriate choice, having ruled the Department of Royal Household, Treasury Department, Department of Foreign Affairs, Supreme Judicature, and ruled country in period when Rama II nearly died. After an assembly the house of nobility approved Prince Jessadabodindra as the 3rd King of Bangkok. Mongkut was designated for training as a monk to remove him from politics.
Naming the reign
King Rama I was the first king of the Bangkok period in Thailand's history, and thus he was known as "the first king". His succussor King Rama II was known as "the middle king". In this naming Rama III would have been called "the last king", which was considered a bad omen and thus not used. Instead, Rama III renamed his predecessors Buddha Yodfa Chulalok and Buddha Loetla Nabhalai. The name Nangklao was given to Rama III posthumously by his successor, Mongkut.
The Wealthy King
During the 27-year reign of King Nangklao, trade between Siam and China became very prosperous. His royal argosies constantly set sail for China and became very profitable. King Nangklao kept his profits in red bags beside his bed so this money was known as Red Bag Money. King Nangklao said that the Red Bag Money existed so that Siam would be able to buy the land back if it entered into a squabble with a foreign power.
The Mighty King
During Rama III's reign, Siam became a military power. It repulsed Vietnamese invasions, and it was during his reign where Burma was defeated by the British several times. He also made inroads into Cambodia - and the country was partitioned between Vietnam and Siam. Rama III also overran Laos and ordered the destruction of Vientiane in 1827-1828.
The Faithful King
King Nangklao was famous for faithfully following Buddhism. He fed the poor each day after becoming prince, and released animals every monastery day. More than 50 temples were built and repaired in his reign, including the first Chinese style temple at Rajaorasa, the highest stupa at Wat Arun, the Golden Mountain at Wat Sraket, the metal temple at Wat Ratchanadda, and Chetupol Temple or Wat Pho. Wat Pho is the site of the first university in Thailand.
After a 26 year reign, King Nangklao was succeeded by his brother Prince Mongkut.