PHRA PETR PISAI SRI SAWADDEE (KHUN CHAI TUAM) GOVERNOR OF PETCHABURI PROVINCE Photograph taken some time in the 1850s

CHAO PHYA BHANUWONGSE MAHA KOSA DHIBODI (KHUN CHAI TUAM) On the occasion he was appointed Minister Of Foreign Affairs in 14, April 1875

It was during the years between 1870 and 1875 that His Majesty King Rama V commenced to reorganize the structure of government, and created various ministries and government agencies. It was carefully planned and implemented. The Kromma Tha Office of the Ministry of Royal Treasury, Customs and Foreign Affairs was segmented. A Ministry of Finance was set up and resumed most of the responsibilites of the Royal Treasury of the Kromma Tha Office. Customs likewise went to the new Ministry of Finance. The new Ministry of Interior assumed responsibility for the Port Authority. Thus leaving Foreign Affairs began to operate independently.

Now we are getting ahead of our story. It was in late 1874 that His Majesty had a British architect draw up plans for the Chakri Maha Prasart Palace and Chao Phya Bhanuwongse (Tuam) was again commissioned to be supervisor of the building of the Grand Palace, which was commenced in 1875. His Majesty laid the foundation stone on Wednesday of the tenth waning moon of the 6^th month at 8.63 A.M. 1876. It was completed in the nineth month of 1882.

In 1880 Chao Phya Bhanuwongse Kosa Dhibodi (Tuam) once more headed a Diplomatic Mission, this time to France. During his team as Minister of Foreign Affairs, diplomatic relations expanded with foreign powers. Ministers Plenipotentiary were exchanged with Austria, Portugal, England, France and America in 1881, with Denmark, Germany and Spain in 1883, and with Italy and Belgium in 1885. However, owing to failing health and few holidays in his whole career, he resigned from active service in 1885.

He built for himself, not very far from the family temple of Wat Prayoorawongse Sawas, a residence right on the river. At his new residence he built a huge aviary where he kept hundreds of birds and there he spent his time admiring his vast collection of birds. Practically the last time he had an audience with King Chulalongkorn was when he presented His Majesty his father's palatial residence (the on where the Grand Dinner and Ball was held), to be turned into a mental hospital (for at that time there was not any suitable institutions for mental patients). The hospital is named after his father, and is known today as the Somdej Chao Phya Mantal Hospital.

The rest of his property went to his children; the orchard behind the hospital to his devoted daughters Khun Lek and Khun Tae who tirelessly looked after him. It was on May 13, 1913 after taking his morning meal in front of the aviary, that he took a sniff of snuff. It may have been a little more snuff than usual, because it caused him to sneeze violently, and then became unconcious. The doctor was called and it was found that he had burst a blood vessel in his head. He died peacefully that evening.

His daughters unfortunately had to sell the orchard to pay for his cremation! It is said that they sold the land which is now worth tens of thousands a wah (4sq. meters), for just four satangs a wah. They actually realized less than three thousand Baht, but at that time it was sufficient for what they needed it for.

CHAO PHYA BHANUWONGSE MAHA KOSA DHIBODI (KHUN CHAI TUAM) Photograph take two months before his death in 1913

Before we carry on, it is again necessary to back-track and note the evolution of the Phya Chula Rajmontri-Leaders of the Muslim Community of Siam. During the reign of King Chulalongkorn, Rama V, Sinn Gularm Hoosen was appointed Phya Chula Rajmontri. He was the son of Narm. Sinn had twelve children. He was succeeded by his son, Sunn-Ahamudh Chula. He became Director of the Revenue Stamp Department of the Ministry of Justice. It must be noted that during the reign of King Rama VI in 1913 a Decree was issued that all Siamese families were to have surnames. Sunn petitioned King Rama VI for two surnames for his family. The children by Khun Ying Tanom were given the name of 'Ahamudh Chula' and the children of Khun Ying Khien were given the name of 'Chularetr'. He died in the reign of King Rama VI. Khun Pier, as well as his elder brothers, were born with the proverbial silver spoon in their mouths. Neglected by their father Chao Phya Bhanuwongse Maha Kosa Dhibodi (Tuam) (owing to overwhelming work or matters of State he had to attend to), and spoilt by their mothers, they all ended up in failures, which dismayed and bitterly disappointed their father.

Khun Pier was born on 30^th September, 1860 in the town of Petchaburi. He was unlike his three elder brothers who gave up their official positions to carry on according to their own wishes, listening to no one. Khun Pier was an enigma to any and all who had anything to do with him. He was a debonaire, charming young man full of dignity, just like his father. This was the only asset he ever had, but unfortunately he did not make good use of it. He received the best education available at that time, and had some private tuition with some tutors from the American Presbyterian Mission. He went to Balliol College, Oxford University at the same time as H.R.H. Prince Swast (King Prajatipok, Rama VII's father-in-law). He studied there for one year, became homesick, and returned to Bangkok, to become a Page in the Court of King Rama V. Then it happened! He started to have affairs with the ladies of the Court. Well, that was something no one in their right mind would do, as it was just tabu. His Majesty got wind of it and Khun Pier was severely castigated. Only on the intervention of Chao Khun Kromma Tha (Tuam), his father, was he saved from being thrown into prison. His father begged the King's pardon and leniency, and said he would hold his son under house arrest. The King consented and handed Khun Pier over to his father.