During the firstten yearsasa monk he residedmainly inWat Samorai,
a medium-size monastery (presently called Wat Rachathiwat) which
was at that time situated on the outskirts of Bangkok. Mongkut was a
bright and inquisitive monk, keen to learn about the wider world.
While Mongkut’s younger brother Chuthamani eagerly sought the
acquaintance of those reaching Bangkok in sailing vessels and in the
first steamships, Mongkut concentrated upon long discussions with
European missionaries, such as the Catholic priest Jean-Baptiste Pallegoix
(who later became bishop) who was one of the few Europeans
who could speak theThai language.