Phetracha
Encyclopedia
Phetracha was a king
of the Ayutthaya kingdom
in Thailand
, usurping the throne from his predecessor King Narai
and founding the Ban Phlu Luang dynasty, the final one of the Ayutthaya kingdom. Originally a member of king Narai's extended family (two of his relatives were among Narai's wives), he was a trusted councilor of Narai, and leader of the Royal Elephant Corps. However in 1688 he led the Siamese revolution of 1688
, had Narai's heirs executed, and by marrying Narai's only daughter, took the throne of Thailand upon Narai's death. He reversed the pro-Western policies of Narai, ejecting foreigners from the kingdom, and launched the Siege of Bangkok
, to exile all French troops from Siam. As a result, Siam stayed isolated from Western contact until the 19th century.
. De la Loubère has recorded that he was a cousin of King Narai, and that his mother was also King Narai's milkmaid. It was also recorded that his sister was one of King Narai's queens.
He started his civil service career as master of the royal elephants, which was a high military position. Hence, he was sometime referred to as "the Elephant Prince".
It is interesting to note that while Thai historians recorded that Phetracha was not interested in being King, Jesuit missionaries stated otherwise, that he was an ambitious man. While this matter is ambiguous, it is generally agreed that he is a very influential figure in that period, harboring respect from many officers. It is also said that he strongly believed in Buddhism, thus gaining support from many monks, who feared Thailand was being converted to Christianity
. Moreover, Phetracha seemed to gain King Narai's trust as well, as he was one of King Narai's close aides and confidants. When the royal palace
at Lopburi
was finished, King Narai would stay there for many months in a year, leaving Phetracha as regent to take care of matters in Ayutthaya.
Phetracha's rivalry with counsellor Constantine Phaulkon
is understandable. While Phaulkon's ideology was to open Thailand to the international community (and benefit from the expansion of foreign trading), Phetracha was a traditionalist who was allegedly disgusted by international influence in Thailand. King Narai himself favored the opening of his country and created many diplomatic ties with European countries, notably France.
) and demanded 65,000 pounds sterling for 60 British men allegedly slain by Phaulkon's men. King Narai decided to give away Marid to France
. At the same time, however, the French government sent 6 battleships and 500 troops to Ayutthaya
. They demanded the port town of Bangkok
, and that King Narai convert to Christianity
. Eventually, a treaty was signed on December 11, 1687. The King's conversion was not acceptable, but Thailand had to give Bangkok over to French rule, and the aforementioned troops were stationed in Bangkok.
The crisis did not bode well with Thai society. Many officers felt that national pride was hurt, that Thailand was on the verge of becoming France's colony, and many Buddhist monks were afraid that King Narai would eventually become a Christian. Thus, Phetracha became the center of the nationalist movement and was respected throughout the government.
When he heard that King Narai had become terminally ill, Phetracha killed the rightful heir and beheaded
Phaulkon. It was not certain whether he and his son assassinated King Narai or not (official history states that King Narai died in front of him and his son of natural causes). In order to legitimate his coup d'état
, Phetracha married the sister and the daughter of the late Narai. His dynasty ruled Ayutthaya for 79 years.
With King Phetracha, according to some modern academics, a representative of the 'nationalist party', who had claimed to defend the kingdom from the French occupation, came to lead the kingdom. He exiled and banned all French representatives. He also negotiated for France to return Bangkok. Only missionaries were allowed to stay.
During his reign, there were many rebellions, as many provinces and vassal states did not accept his rule. Notably, there were wars with Nakhon Si Thammarat
and Nakhon Ratchasima
's governors.
Traditionally, Thai historians have regarded Phetracha as a traitor who rebelled against his King and have avoided mentioning him. However, in recent time, his role becomes controversial as he is also regarded by many modern writers as a nationalist who rescued Thailand from being a French colony.
Upon his death in February 1703, Phetracha was succeeded by his eldest son Prince Sorasak, who took the title of Sanphet VIII
.
Monarch
A monarch is the person who heads a monarchy. This is a form of government in which a state or polity is ruled or controlled by an individual who typically inherits the throne by birth and occasionally rules for life or until abdication...
of the Ayutthaya kingdom
Ayutthaya kingdom
Ayutthaya was a Siamese kingdom that existed from 1350 to 1767. Ayutthaya was friendly towards foreign traders, including the Chinese, Vietnamese , Indians, Japanese and Persians, and later the Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and French, permitting them to set up villages outside the walls of the...
in Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, usurping the throne from his predecessor King Narai
Narai
Somdet Phra Narai or Somdet Phra Ramathibodi III was the king of Ayutthaya from 1656 to 1688 and arguably the most famous Ayutthayan king. His reign was the most prosperous during the Ayutthaya period and saw the great commercial and diplomatic activities with foreign nations including the...
and founding the Ban Phlu Luang dynasty, the final one of the Ayutthaya kingdom. Originally a member of king Narai's extended family (two of his relatives were among Narai's wives), he was a trusted councilor of Narai, and leader of the Royal Elephant Corps. However in 1688 he led the Siamese revolution of 1688
Siamese revolution of 1688
The Siamese revolution of 1688 was a major popular upheaval in the Siamese Ayutthaya Kingdom which led to the overthrow of the pro-foreign Siamese king Narai...
, had Narai's heirs executed, and by marrying Narai's only daughter, took the throne of Thailand upon Narai's death. He reversed the pro-Western policies of Narai, ejecting foreigners from the kingdom, and launched the Siege of Bangkok
Siege of Bangkok
The Siege of Bangkok was a key event of the Siamese revolution of 1688, in which the Siamese people ousted the French from Siam. Following a coup d'état, in which the pro-Western king Narai was replaced by Phetracha, Siamese troops besieged the French fortress in Bangkok for four months...
, to exile all French troops from Siam. As a result, Siam stayed isolated from Western contact until the 19th century.
Background
Phetracha was born in 1632 at Baan Plu Luang, SuphanburiSuphanburi
Suphan Buri is a town in central Thailand, capital of the Suphan Buri Province. It covers the whole tambon Tha Philiang and parts of the tambon Rua Yai and Tha Rahat, all within the Mueang Suphan Buri district...
. De la Loubère has recorded that he was a cousin of King Narai, and that his mother was also King Narai's milkmaid. It was also recorded that his sister was one of King Narai's queens.
He started his civil service career as master of the royal elephants, which was a high military position. Hence, he was sometime referred to as "the Elephant Prince".
It is interesting to note that while Thai historians recorded that Phetracha was not interested in being King, Jesuit missionaries stated otherwise, that he was an ambitious man. While this matter is ambiguous, it is generally agreed that he is a very influential figure in that period, harboring respect from many officers. It is also said that he strongly believed in Buddhism, thus gaining support from many monks, who feared Thailand was being converted to Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
. Moreover, Phetracha seemed to gain King Narai's trust as well, as he was one of King Narai's close aides and confidants. When the royal palace
King Narai's Palace
The King Narai's Palace in Lopburi was built by King Narai the Great, the king who ruled Ayutthaya from 1656 to 1688. He ordered to build the palace in 1666 in the same area of King Ramesuan's Palace. King Narai stayed here for about 8-9 months a year, except rainy season...
at Lopburi
Lopburi
Lopburi ) is the capital city of Lopburi Province in Thailand. It is located about 150 km north-east of Bangkok. As of 2006 it has a population of 26,500...
was finished, King Narai would stay there for many months in a year, leaving Phetracha as regent to take care of matters in Ayutthaya.
Phetracha's rivalry with counsellor Constantine Phaulkon
Constantine Phaulkon
Constantine Phaulkon was a Greek adventurer, who became first counsellor to King Narai of Ayutthaya.Born on the Ionian island of...
is understandable. While Phaulkon's ideology was to open Thailand to the international community (and benefit from the expansion of foreign trading), Phetracha was a traditionalist who was allegedly disgusted by international influence in Thailand. King Narai himself favored the opening of his country and created many diplomatic ties with European countries, notably France.
Crisis in Thailand
There was a crisis in Thailand in 1686, when British battleships surrounded the port town of Marit (now MerguiMergui
Myeik is a city in Tanintharyi Division in Myanmar , located in the extreme south of the country on the coast of an island on the Andaman Sea. the estimated population was over 209,000. The area inland from the city is a major smuggling corridor into Thailand.-History:Myeik was the southernmost...
) and demanded 65,000 pounds sterling for 60 British men allegedly slain by Phaulkon's men. King Narai decided to give away Marid to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. At the same time, however, the French government sent 6 battleships and 500 troops to Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya kingdom
Ayutthaya was a Siamese kingdom that existed from 1350 to 1767. Ayutthaya was friendly towards foreign traders, including the Chinese, Vietnamese , Indians, Japanese and Persians, and later the Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and French, permitting them to set up villages outside the walls of the...
. They demanded the port town of Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
, and that King Narai convert to Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
. Eventually, a treaty was signed on December 11, 1687. The King's conversion was not acceptable, but Thailand had to give Bangkok over to French rule, and the aforementioned troops were stationed in Bangkok.
The crisis did not bode well with Thai society. Many officers felt that national pride was hurt, that Thailand was on the verge of becoming France's colony, and many Buddhist monks were afraid that King Narai would eventually become a Christian. Thus, Phetracha became the center of the nationalist movement and was respected throughout the government.
When he heard that King Narai had become terminally ill, Phetracha killed the rightful heir and beheaded
Decapitation
Decapitation is the separation of the head from the body. Beheading typically refers to the act of intentional decapitation, e.g., as a means of murder or execution; it may be accomplished, for example, with an axe, sword, knife, wire, or by other more sophisticated means such as a guillotine...
Phaulkon. It was not certain whether he and his son assassinated King Narai or not (official history states that King Narai died in front of him and his son of natural causes). In order to legitimate his coup d'état
Coup d'état
A coup d'état state, literally: strike/blow of state)—also known as a coup, putsch, and overthrow—is the sudden, extrajudicial deposition of a government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to replace the deposed government with another body; either...
, Phetracha married the sister and the daughter of the late Narai. His dynasty ruled Ayutthaya for 79 years.
With King Phetracha, according to some modern academics, a representative of the 'nationalist party', who had claimed to defend the kingdom from the French occupation, came to lead the kingdom. He exiled and banned all French representatives. He also negotiated for France to return Bangkok. Only missionaries were allowed to stay.
During his reign, there were many rebellions, as many provinces and vassal states did not accept his rule. Notably, there were wars with Nakhon Si Thammarat
Nakhon Si Thammarat
Nakhon Si Thammarat is a town in southern Thailand, capital of the Nakhon Si Thammarat Province and the Nakhon Si Thammarat district. It is about south of Bangkok, on the east coast of the Malay Peninsula. The city was the administrative center of southern Thailand during most of its history. ...
and Nakhon Ratchasima
Nakhon Ratchasima
Nakhon Ratchasima or is a city in the north-east of Thailand and gateway to Isan. It is the capital of the Nakhon Ratchasima Province and Nakhon Ratchasima district...
's governors.
Traditionally, Thai historians have regarded Phetracha as a traitor who rebelled against his King and have avoided mentioning him. However, in recent time, his role becomes controversial as he is also regarded by many modern writers as a nationalist who rescued Thailand from being a French colony.
Upon his death in February 1703, Phetracha was succeeded by his eldest son Prince Sorasak, who took the title of Sanphet VIII
Sanphet VIII
Sanphet VIII or Suriyenthrathibodi was the King of Ayutthaya from 1703 to 1709 and the second ruler of the Ban Phlu Luang Dynasty. Suriyenthrathibodi was well known as Luang Sorasak or Phrachao Suea, the latter means the "Tiger King". He was the eldest son of the founder of the Ban Phlu Luang...
.