Chularatchamontri Cham Phromyong
(Hajji Samsuddin bin Mustafa)

Chularatchamontri Cham Phromyong

Hajji Samsuddin bin Mustafa

Following the passing of Phra Chularatchamontri (Son), the position of Chularatchamontri remained vacant for nearly 10 years, as no successor was appointed.

However, during the early democratic period—a time when the country was transitioning from an absolute monarchy to a democratic system—a royal decree concerning Islamic patronage was enacted in 1945 (B.E. 2488) during the reign of King Ananda Mahidol.

During the reign of King Ananda Mahidol, with His Excellency Khuang Aphaiwong as Prime Minister, this royal decree stipulated that the King was to appoint a Chularatchamontri to serve as a royal advisor on Islamic affairs. It also mandated a royal command to establish the Central Islamic Council of Thailand.

There was to be a central committee to oversee the administration of Islamic affairs in Thailand. The decree also stipulated that if a province had a sufficiently large Muslim population, the Ministry of Interior would be authorized to establish a provincial Islamic committee. This provincial committee would have the power to appoint imams, khatibs, bilals, and mosque committees, as well as the authority to supervise the work of the mosque committees within their respective provinces.

Later, in 1948 (B.E. 2491), the powers and duties of the Chularatchamontri were changed. The position was redefined to serve solely as an advisor to the Department of Religious Affairs, under the Ministry of Education, on matters of Islamic patronage.

The first Chularatchamontri to be appointed under this royal decree was Mr. Cham Phromyong. At that time, he was a division head-level official with the Department of Publicity (now the Public Relations Department).The government submitted a request to the King, who graciously appointed Mr. Cham Phromyong—also known by his Islamic name, "Samsuddin bin Mustafa"—as Chularatchamontri, in accordance with the provisions of the royal decree.

Chularatchamontri Cham Phromyong was a native of Samut Prakan Province. He was the son of Teacher Mustafa Phromyong, a person well-versed in Islamic studies who also served as an academic instructor of Islam.

He held the position for only 2 years before having to leave the country for political reasons. However, during his time in office, he successfully established administrative guidelines and standards for Islamic religious affairs that continue to be practiced today.

Later, he returned to Thailand and resided with his family at their home in Paklat. He lived a long life, passing away in 1991 (B.E. 2534) at approximately 92 years of age. Mr. Cham Phromyong is considered the tenth Chularatchamontri of the Rattanakosin Kingdom and the fourteenth of the Kingdom of Thailand.