Chao Praya Bhanuwongse Mahakosa Dhibodi was born in 1830 in the reign of King Rama III. His birth name was Tuam, and he was a son of the mighty Somdetch Chao Praya Borom Maha Prayurawongse (Dis) of the powerful Bunnag Clan. His elder brother was the all-powerful Somdetch Chao Praya Borom Maha Sri Suriyawongse, otherwise known as "The Sun" of the Bunnag family, who was Head of the Regency Council of King Chulalongkorn.

As I spent 11 years in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, my interests in the history of Siamese diplomacy is one that is still close to my heart. Chao Praya Bhanuwongse was the very first Minister of Foreign Affairs of Siam. Although the diplomatic corp went back much farther, the old style foreign office was in fact part of the Finance department, and was known as "Krom Ta", Ta meaning 'port'. The Krom Ta was divided into 3 sections, which were Krom Ta Sai (The Left side) which dealt with businesses and diplomatic relations with China, Krom Ta Klang (The Middle) which was in charge with other foreign relations including the West, and Krom Ta Kwa (The Right side), which dealt with relations with East Asia and the Middle East, or the Muslim countries. Most of the officers in the Krom Ta Sai were of Chinese ancestry, while the officials of the Krom Ta Kwa were made up of decendants of East Asian heritage, with the Bunnag clan taking the lead as the family originated in Persia. Chao Praya Bhanuwongse was the Minister of Finance and Foreign Affairs during King Chulalongkorn's reign. The diplomatic office was officially separated from the Ministry of Finance and became the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 14 April 1875.

During King Mongkut (Rama IV)'s reign, Chao Praya Bhanuwongse who held the title of "Jameun Rajamatya" then, was commanded by the king to accompany the delegation from Siam to England, to present presents to Queen Victoria. The delegation was headed by Praya Montri Suriyawongse (Chum Bunnag), his elder half brother. It was this experience that have given him that special knowledge that most Siamese did not have then, coupled with his wisdom and straightforwardness that King Chulalongkorn appreciated.

Siamese Delegation in audience with Queen Victoria

King Chulalongkorn visited India in 1871. Chao Praya Bhanuwongse is seated on the far right of the photo.

The Chao Praya in his capacity as Minister of Finance and Foreign Affairs, accompanied King Chulalongkorn on his first visits abroad, to India, Burma, Malaga and Penang between 16 December 1871 to 16 March 1872. The foreign office was later separated 3 years after, and the Chao Praya spent the next 10 years as Minister of Foreign Affairs until his retirement from illness as well as old age. King Chulalongkorn was sad to let Chao Praya Bhanuwongse retire, but asked him to stay as an advisor to the new Minister, his younger half-brother The Prince Devawongse Varopakarn who was only 27 years old at the time. He was a most trusted advisor for his tremendous experience and knowledge until his death on 13 May 1913 at the age of 83 years old, in the reign of King Vajiravudh (Rama VI). The King attended his bathing rites, which was and is still considered the highest honour.

Chao Praya had many wives per the custom then, and 25 children; 17 sons and 8 daughters. His oldest son was sent for education in England at the same time as my great-grandfather, Chao Praya Sri Pipat, again per the custom of royals and nobilities of the day. His descendants are numerous, as are the Bunnag clan today.