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The International Journal of the Royal Society of Thailand

Volume XVI-2024 (Special Issue)

(Palace Affairs), Krom Khlang or Krom Phra Klang (Treasury), and Krom Na (Agriculture) with other

departments and offices operating under these ministries in descending order.
Regional Administration King Rama I restructured governance to centralize control.

The southern provinces, previously under the jurisdiction of Krom Tha, (an office that became
increasingly important as it controlled the provincial cities), were reassigned to Krom Phra Kalawhom,

except for key cities like Chanthaburi, Samut Prakan, and others. Consequently, provinces
were organized under three ministries. Northern provinces were under the Ministry of Interior

(Samuhanayok). Southern provinces were under Krom Phra Kalawhom (Samuha phrakhlawhom)
while eastern coastal provinces of the Gulf of Thailand were under Krom Tha (Chao Phraya

Phra Khlang). Each ministerial head was responsible for their respective regions.
Tributary States For tributary states, King Rama I fostered loyalty to Bangkok through

a balanced approach of “benevolence and authority.” Relations with Laos were amicable due
to shared ethnic, religious, and cultural ties. Young Cambodian royals were brought to Bangkok

for education and integration into Thai court traditions, fostering loyalty. They were adopted
as royal dependents and, upon maturity, were enthroned as rulers of their respective states.

In Muslim-majority tributary states, they were also allowed to govern themselves according
to their indigenous traditions, under the supervision of major southern provinces like

Nakhon Si Thammarat and Songkhla. As for Lanna, rulers who demonstrated valor in resisting
Burmese invasions and cooperated with the Thai army to expand furthest into the northern

territories were rewarded and given the title of King of Chiang Mai, governing Lanna. Toward
the end of King Rama I’s reign, there was a conflict over succession in Sai Buri and His Majesty

resolved the conflict by appointing the candidate supported by the majority of the local
population as the ruler.

It is apparent that while King Rama I retained the Ayutthaya administrative framework,
he introduced reforms to suit the changing context and strengthen the kingdom’s stability and

governance.
4.4 Legal Reforms In 1804 an unfair ruling in a divorce case highlighted significant

flaws and inconsistencies in the existing legal code. This prompted King Rama I to order
a comprehensive review and revision of all legal texts, referred to at the time as the Royal

Decrees and Codes of Law. The aim was to rectify distortions and injustices within the legal system,
ensuring that laws were organized, equitable, and fair in the administration of justice for

the people. This monumental revision process took approximately 11 months to complete.
Once finalized, the revised legal texts were marked with three royal seals—the Royal Lion,

the Royal Elephant, and the Royal Lotus—on the cover of each volume to signify their

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