Phetracha (alternative spellings: Bedraja, P'etraja, Petraja, Petratcha; also called Phra Phetracha; Thai: เพทราชา, pronounced [pʰêːt.rāː.t͡ɕʰāː]; 1632– 5 February 1703) was a king of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, usurping the throne from his predecessor King Narai and originally settled in Phluluang Village. His dynasty, the Ban Phlu Luang dynasty, was the last ruling house of the Ayutthaya Kingdom.[2]: 252
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 the Director-General of the Royal Department of Elephants. 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 Ayutthaya kingdom upon Narai's death. He opposed the pro-French policies of Narai, ejecting the French officers and some other French citizens from the kingdom, and launched the Siege of Bangkok, to exile all French troops from Siam. Since then, Siam and France have only contacted a few times. His reign was marred by rebellions, insurrections and political upheavals throughout due to the nature of his ascension to power, especially those claiming ties of loyalty to the previous dynasty, as well as to the late King Narai himself.
Phetracha was born in 1632 at Phuluang village, Suphan Buri. His wet nurse was Chao Mae Dusit who was the mother of Kosa Lek and Kosa Pan, De la Loubère has recorded that he was a cousin of King Narai, and that his mother was also one of King Narai's wet nurses. It was also recorded that his sister would later become one of King Narai's concubines.
He was Right Director-General of the Royal Department of Elephants, and wrote a manual with Narai on the art of elephant craft.[3]: 63 Hence, he was sometimes referred to as "the Elephant Prince".
Although 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 was 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 Ayutthaya kingdom 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 Ayutthaya kingdom to the international community (and benefit from the expansion of foreign trading), Phetracha was a traditionalist who was allegedly disgusted by international influence in Ayutthaya kingdom. King Narai himself favored the opening of his country and created many diplomatic ties with European countries, notably France.
When Narai was seriously ill with no hope of recovery, on 18 May 1688 Phetracha had a successful coup and arrested Narai himself, his half-brothers Prince Aphaithot and Prince Noi, and his adopted son Phra Pi. Phaulkon was summoned to the palace, there he and the French officers were surrounded and disarmed. Phaulkon was thrown to the palace dungeon and brutally tortured.
After questioning Phra Pi, he discovered Phra Pi had conspired with Phaulkon to assume the throne, and Phra Pi was executed on 20 May. Further questioning of Phaulkon revealed a plot to raise a rebellion, and he too was executed by Phetracha's adopted son Luang Sorasak on 5 June. Narai, on his deathbed, was unable to do anything, except curse Phetracha and his son. Luang Sorasak then had Prince Aphaithot and Prince Noi executed.[4]: 271–273
Phetracha soon ordered his troops to attack the French troops led by General Desfarges at the start of Siege of Bangkok. On the death of Narai on 11 July, Phetracha proclaimed himself king, he appointed Luang Sorasak, his son as the Prince Viceroy and Nai Chopkhotchaprasit, the officer under his department and who helped contending the throne as the Prince Deputy Viceroy, and gave regalia as Prince Deputy Viceroy rank with Khun Ongkharaksa and promoted to Chaophraya Surasongkhram, because of the credit to helped contending the throne too.
After withholding the siege for four months and later a negotiated settlement, the French soldiers were allowed to return to France. Only Hollanders were allowed to trade in the capital before the French and English finally ended their dispute with Siam.[4]: 273–276
Upon his death on 5 February 1703, Phetracha was succeeded by his eldest son Sorasak, the Prince Vicroy or "Tiger Prince", who took the title of Suriyenthrathibodi.[2]: 260
Princess Chim Princess Chin Prince Dam Prince Kaeo Prince Bunnak
Honors
Title
Titles and ranks appointed by King of Siam
Oc Phra Phetracha or Oc-Prá Pipitcharatcha[5]: 79 (Thai: ออกพระเพทราชา or ออกพระพิพิธราชา) Chancellor of department Elephants Affairs in the reign of King Narai with sakdina 5000.
Chaophraya Surasi[6]: 63 Acting Chancellor of the Ministry of Defence in the reign of King Narai.
Enthronement
Somdet Phra Phetracha[7]: 55 (Thai: สมเด็จพระมหาบุรุษ วิสุทธิเดชอุดม บรมจักรพรรดิศร บรมนาถบพิตร สมเด็จพระพุทธเจ้าอยู่หัว) King of Siam of the Ban Phlu Luang Dynasty.
Phra Phetracha auditorium. Thepsatri Rajabhat University Lopburi province.
In popular culture
King Phetracha's corporeal presence was mentioned in:
Thai literature
Chronicle of Phan Chanthanumat records the history of Phetracha's reign[8]
International literature
Louis XIV et le Siam[9] the French-Siamese historical fiction composed by Dirk Van der Cruysse. Phetracha was mentioned of troublemaker in the French embassy parade.
Pour la plus grande gloire de Dieu[10] composed by Morgan Sportès. Phetracha was crowned king of Siam in the reign of King Narai.
Phaulkon the adventurer (1862)[11] composed by William Dalton. The fiction mentioned Phetracha who was crowned king of Siam and executed Constantine Phaulkon.
Le Ministre des moussons[12] the French-Siamese historical fiction composed by Claire Keefe-Fox mentioned Phetracha during the ousting of French forces in 1688.
^"History of Ayutthaya - Historical Events - Timeline 1650-1699". www.ayutthaya-history.com.
^ abReid, Anthony (Editor), Dhiravat na Prombeja, Southeast Asia in the Early Modern Era, Cornell University Press, 1993, ISBN0-8014-8093-0
^Chakrabongse, C., 1960, Lords of Life, London: Alvin Redman Limited
^ abcRajanubhab, D., 2001, Our Wars With the Burmese, Bangkok: White Lotus Co. Ltd., ISBN9747534584
^Simon de La Loubère. (1693). A New Historical Relation of the Kingdom of Siam. London: T. Horne. 259 pp.
^Khamhaikan Khunluanghawat [The testimony of King Uthumphon] คำให้การขุนหลวงหาวัด (in Thai). Nonthaburi: Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University., 2004. 244 pp. ISBN974-645-767-5
^Michael J. Montesano and Patrick Jory. (2008). Thai South and Malay North: Ethnic Interactions on a Plural Peninsula. Singapore: NUS Press. 384 pp. ISBN978-9971-69-411-1
^Dressler, Jan R. (2013). "A Note on the Source Texts of Cushman's Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya". Journal of the Siam Society. 101: 228.
^Dirk van der Cruysse. Louis XIV et le Siam: Le grand livre du mois. Paris : Fayard, 1991. 586 pp. ISBN978-221-3027-19-7
^Sportès, Morgan. (1995). Pour la plus grande gloire de Dieu. Paris: Ed. du Seuil. 735 pp. ISBN978-2-020-25309-3
^Dalton, William. (1862). Phaulcon the adventurer or The Europeans in the East. London: Beeton. 388 pp.
^Keefe-Fox, Claire.(1998). Le Ministre des moussons. Paris: Plon. 530 pp. ISBN978-2-259-18742-8
phetracha, alternative, spellings, bedraja, etraja, petraja, petratcha, also, called, phra, thai, เพทราชา, pronounced, pʰêːt, rāː, ɕʰāː, 1632, february, 1703, king, ayutthaya, kingdom, usurping, throne, from, predecessor, king, narai, originally, settled, phlu. Phetracha alternative spellings Bedraja P etraja Petraja Petratcha also called Phra Phetracha Thai ephthracha pronounced pʰeːt raː t ɕʰaː 1632 5 February 1703 was a king of the Ayutthaya Kingdom usurping the throne from his predecessor King Narai and originally settled in Phluluang Village His dynasty the Ban Phlu Luang dynasty was the last ruling house of the Ayutthaya Kingdom 2 252 PhetrachaphraephthrachaKing of AyutthayaEngraving of King Phetracha by Gaspar Bouttats 1690King of SiamReign1 August 1688 1 5 February 1703 citation needed PredecessorNaraiSuccessorSuriyenthrathibodiViceroySorasakBorn1632 1632 Died5 February 1703 1703 02 05 aged 70 71 citation needed Ayutthaya KingdomConsortsKan Princess Thephamat Sudawadi Princess Yothathep Si Suphan Princess Yothathip Princess Kusawadi of Chiang MaiIssuePrince Trat Noi Prince Phra Khwan Suriyenthrathibodi King of Ayutthaya adopted Princess Chim Princess Chin Prince Dam Prince Kaeo Prince BunnakHouseBan Phlu Luang dynastyReligionBuddhismOriginally 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 the Director General of the Royal Department of Elephants 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 Ayutthaya kingdom upon Narai s death He opposed the pro French policies of Narai ejecting the French officers and some other French citizens from the kingdom and launched the Siege of Bangkok to exile all French troops from Siam Since then Siam and France have only contacted a few times His reign was marred by rebellions insurrections and political upheavals throughout due to the nature of his ascension to power especially those claiming ties of loyalty to the previous dynasty as well as to the late King Narai himself Contents 1 Background 2 Reign 3 Issue 4 Honors 4 1 Title 4 1 1 Titles and ranks appointed by King of Siam 4 1 2 Enthronement 4 2 Namesakes 5 In popular culture 5 1 Thai literature 5 2 International literature 5 3 Film and television 5 4 Legend 6 See also 7 ReferencesBackground EditPhetracha was born in 1632 at Phuluang village Suphan Buri His wet nurse was Chao Mae Dusit who was the mother of Kosa Lek and Kosa Pan De la Loubere has recorded that he was a cousin of King Narai and that his mother was also one of King Narai s wet nurses It was also recorded that his sister would later become one of King Narai s concubines He was Right Director General of the Royal Department of Elephants and wrote a manual with Narai on the art of elephant craft 3 63 Hence he was sometimes referred to as the Elephant Prince Although 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 was 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 Ayutthaya kingdom 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 Ayutthaya kingdom to the international community and benefit from the expansion of foreign trading Phetracha was a traditionalist who was allegedly disgusted by international influence in Ayutthaya kingdom King Narai himself favored the opening of his country and created many diplomatic ties with European countries notably France Reign EditSee also Siamese revolution of 1688 When Narai was seriously ill with no hope of recovery on 18 May 1688 Phetracha had a successful coup and arrested Narai himself his half brothers Prince Aphaithot and Prince Noi and his adopted son Phra Pi Phaulkon was summoned to the palace there he and the French officers were surrounded and disarmed Phaulkon was thrown to the palace dungeon and brutally tortured After questioning Phra Pi he discovered Phra Pi had conspired with Phaulkon to assume the throne and Phra Pi was executed on 20 May Further questioning of Phaulkon revealed a plot to raise a rebellion and he too was executed by Phetracha s adopted son Luang Sorasak on 5 June Narai on his deathbed was unable to do anything except curse Phetracha and his son Luang Sorasak then had Prince Aphaithot and Prince Noi executed 4 271 273 Phetracha soon ordered his troops to attack the French troops led by General Desfarges at the start of Siege of Bangkok On the death of Narai on 11 July Phetracha proclaimed himself king he appointed Luang Sorasak his son as the Prince Viceroy and Nai Chopkhotchaprasit the officer under his department and who helped contending the throne as the Prince Deputy Viceroy and gave regalia as Prince Deputy Viceroy rank with Khun Ongkharaksa and promoted to Chaophraya Surasongkhram because of the credit to helped contending the throne too After withholding the siege for four months and later a negotiated settlement the French soldiers were allowed to return to France Only Hollanders were allowed to trade in the capital before the French and English finally ended their dispute with Siam 4 273 276 During his reign there were troubles for a long time according to Damrong Rajanubhab The governors of Nakhon Si Thammarat and Nakhon Ratchasima rebelled and it took many years for them to be suppressed 4 276 277 Upon his death on 5 February 1703 Phetracha was succeeded by his eldest son Sorasak the Prince Vicroy or Tiger Prince who took the title of Suriyenthrathibodi 2 260 Issue Edit Consort and Concubines Children1 Kan Princess Thephamat None2 Sudawadi Princess Yothathep Prince Trat Noi3 Si Suphan Princess Yothathip Prince Phra Khwan4 Princess Kusawadi of Chiang Mai Prince Ma Duea Suriyenthrathibodi 5 Others Princess ChimPrincess ChinPrince DamPrince KaeoPrince BunnakHonors EditTitle Edit Titles and ranks appointed by King of Siam Edit Oc Phra Phetracha or Oc Pra Pipitcharatcha 5 79 Thai xxkphraephthracha or xxkphraphiphithracha Chancellor of department Elephants Affairs in the reign of King Narai with sakdina 5000 Chaophraya Surasi 6 63 Acting Chancellor of the Ministry of Defence in the reign of King Narai Enthronement Edit Somdet Phra Phetracha 7 55 Thai smedcphramhaburus wisuththiedchxudm brmckrphrrdisr brmnathbphitr smedcphraphuththecaxyuhw King of Siam of the Ban Phlu Luang Dynasty Namesakes Edit Phetracha Road Lopburi province Phra Phetracha auditorium Thepsatri Rajabhat University Lopburi province In popular culture EditKing Phetracha s corporeal presence was mentioned in Thai literature Edit Chronicle of Phan Chanthanumat records the history of Phetracha s reign 8 International literature Edit Louis XIV et le Siam 9 the French Siamese historical fiction composed by Dirk Van der Cruysse Phetracha was mentioned of troublemaker in the French embassy parade Pour la plus grande gloire de Dieu 10 composed by Morgan Sportes Phetracha was crowned king of Siam in the reign of King Narai Phaulkon the adventurer 1862 11 composed by William Dalton The fiction mentioned Phetracha who was crowned king of Siam and executed Constantine Phaulkon Le Ministre des moussons 12 the French Siamese historical fiction composed by Claire Keefe Fox mentioned Phetracha during the ousting of French forces in 1688 Film and television Edit Love Destiny TV series Phra Phetracha was King Narai s regent cast by Sarut Vijittranon OM Crush on me 2021 Thai historical movie mentioned Phra Phetracha who was general director of department of Elephants Affairs Sri Ayodhaya 2 King Phetracha cast by M R Mongkolchai Yugala Legend Edit This section is empty You can help by adding to it February 2023 See also EditAyutthaya KingdomReferences Edit History of Ayutthaya Historical Events Timeline 1650 1699 www ayutthaya history com a b Reid Anthony Editor Dhiravat na Prombeja Southeast Asia in the Early Modern Era Cornell University Press 1993 ISBN 0 8014 8093 0 Chakrabongse C 1960 Lords of Life London Alvin Redman Limited a b c Rajanubhab D 2001 Our Wars With the Burmese Bangkok White Lotus Co Ltd ISBN 9747534584 Simon de La Loubere 1693 A New Historical Relation of the Kingdom of Siam London T Horne 259 pp Khamhaikan Khunluanghawat The testimony of King Uthumphon khaihkarkhunhlwnghawd in Thai Nonthaburi Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University 2004 244 pp ISBN 974 645 767 5 Michael J Montesano and Patrick Jory 2008 Thai South and Malay North Ethnic Interactions on a Plural Peninsula Singapore NUS Press 384 pp ISBN 978 9971 69 411 1 Dressler Jan R 2013 A Note on the Source Texts of Cushman s Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya Journal of the Siam Society 101 228 Dirk van der Cruysse Louis XIV et le Siam Le grand livre du mois Paris Fayard 1991 586 pp ISBN 978 221 3027 19 7 Sportes Morgan 1995 Pour la plus grande gloire de Dieu Paris Ed du Seuil 735 pp ISBN 978 2 020 25309 3 Dalton William 1862 Phaulcon the adventurer or The Europeans in the East London Beeton 388 pp Keefe Fox Claire 1998 Le Ministre des moussons Paris Plon 530 pp ISBN 978 2 259 18742 8 PhetrachaBan Phlu Luang dynastyBorn 1632 Died 5 February 1703Regnal titlesPreceded byNarai King of Ayutthaya1688 1703 Succeeded bySuriyenthrathibodi Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Phetracha amp oldid 1161828716, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
