Servitude of the ladies of The Royal Inner during the Reigns of King Rama IV, V, and VI

Abstract

This thesis focuses on the Siamese idea of servitude to the royal family during the reigns of King Rama IV, King Rama V, and King Rama VI. Western literature has often labeled the royal inner court of Siam a "harem" based on slavery and male dominance. A majority of literature written about the inner court were those written by missionaries, suffragettes and education reformers whose perspective was that of human rights and democracy. Because those writers were unable to see Siamese society through a Siamese lens, the ambitions of women in the society were unfathomable to them. Westerners at the time did not understand that closeness to the king, regardless of one's duties was the highest ambition imaginable. New members were given to the king or princesses by willing parent or relatives, while others came of their won accord with the hope for royal favor or employment inside the palace. Young girls from noble and rich families were usually sent to the palace for a duration of time before they became marriageable, for the palace was the only place where they could be properly educated and obtain all the accomplishments and polish that were required of Siamese ladies of high birth. The decision to focus on the reigns of King Rama IV, King Rama V, and King Rama VI is that during these reigns, one sees that absolute height and downfall of the inner court. A majority of western literature and made popular to readers about the royal inner court encompasses this time period. With the Western colonization of neighboring countries during this period, it was vital that Siam portray itself as a modern society to maintain its autonomy. The end of the practice of polygamy by the King caused the inner court (fai nai) to change 180 degrees between King Rama V (1868-1915) and King Rama VI (1951-1925). In understanding Siamese sentiment towards being in service to the King, a variety of sources will be used. This will include interviews and journals of women who served in the royal inner court. Also an analysis will be conducted of academic work concerning Siamese ideas of sacral kingship, slavery and social hierarchy with the implicit purpose of ascertaining a more complete understanding of the beliefs imbedded in Siamese society.