What is "Rama"?

I believe most travelers in Bangkok have heard of the word "Rama" such as "Rama 4", "Rama 9" or etc.

So what is "Rama"?
Rama or Phra Ram is the name of a character in an epic, Ramayana. Rama is the 7th avatar of Vishnu, the supreme god in Hinduism.

"The kings in the current Chakri dynasty of Thailand are often referred to as Rama followed by Roman ordinal in English translation. The name Rama was adopted from the name of the Hindu god Rama, a reincarnation of Vishnu." -- from wikipedia

For the current dynasty, Chakri Dynasty, that has ruled Thailand since the founding of Rattanakosin era in 1782 now has had 9 kings.

• Buddha Yodfa Chulalok the Great (Rama I)
(1782-1809)
• Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (Rama II)
(1809-1824)
• Jessadabodindra (Rama III)
(1824-1851)
• Mongkut (Rama IV)
(1851-1868)
• Chulalongkorn the Great (Rama V)
(1868-1910)
• Vajiravudh (Rama VI)
(1910-1925)
• Prajadhipok (Rama VII)
(1925-1935)
• Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII)
(1935-1946)
• Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great (Rama IX)
(1946-present)

Where can you find the word "Rama"?

1. Roads in Bangkok

• Rama I or Phra Ram 1
• Rama II or Phra Ram 2
• Rama III or Phra Ram 3
• Rama IV or Phra Ram 4
• Rama V or Phra Ram 5
• Rama VI or Phra Ram 6
• Rama IX or Phra Ram 9

2. Bridges in Bangkok

• Rama III Bridge or Saphan Phra Ram 3
• Rama IV Bridge or Saphan Phra Ram 4
• Rama V Bridge or Saphan Phra Ram 5
• Rama VI Bridge or Saphan Phra Ram 6
• Rama VII Bridge or Saphan Phra Ram 7
• Rama VIII Bridge or Saphan Phra Ram 8
• Rama IX Bridge or Saphan Phra Ram 9

Rama III Bridge

Rama IV Bridge

Rama VIII Bridge

Rama IX Bridge


all the photos on this post is from wikipedia