Mongkut (Rama IV) (October 18, 1804-1 October 1868) was the king of Siam from 1851 to 1868, considered by historians as one of the most important monarchs of the Chakri dynasty. In 1851 he came to the throne. His main concern was the maintenance of the independence of the country against the European colonizers represented by the expansion in Southeast Asia of France and the United Kingdom. Given his training, he felt that it was necessary for Thais to adopt Western ways of life in order not to be considered barbarians by the colonial powers.