At the turn of the 20th century, Thailand, or Siam as it was then known, was going through a period of major modernisation under successive kings, King Mongkut, Rama IV (r. 1851??8) and King Chulalongkorn, Rama V (r. 1868??910). Punishments for crimes were often severe and the death penalty was frequently employed, although leniency through Buddhist ethics was often used to resolve minor felonies.