Phra Phetracha
Phra Phetracha was king of the Siamese kingdom of Ayutthaya from 1688 to 1703.
He came to power in 1688 amidst a great moment of crisis and conflict within Ayutthaya. His predecessor, King Narai, had a close relationship with France, and declared war on the English East India Company in 1687; French forces then came to occupy Bangkok, ostensibly in order to help fight against the English, but ultimately had to be convinced to quit their occupation as well.
With Narai's death that same year (1688), Phra Phetracha came to the throne. He ended the official royal junk trade and expelled most if not all Europeans from the kingdom, best as he could, for several decades.[1] At the same time, however, he renewed a Treaty and Alliance of Peace with the Dutch East India Company, and continued (unofficial) trade with Japanese and Chinese merchants, the latter engagement growing more extensive over the course of his reign.[2]
Factionalism or conflict within Phra Phetracha's court led to upheavals beginning around 1699, which ultimately led to his abdication in 1703 in favor of his eldest son, Sanphet VIII, also known as Suriyenthrathibodi or Phra Chao Suea.
| Preceded by: Narai |
King of Ayutthaya 1688-1703 |
Succeeded by: Sanphet VIII |
References
- ↑ Craig Lockard, “‘The Sea Common to All’: Maritime Frontiers, Port Cities, and Chinese Traders in the Southeast Asian Age of Commerce, Ca. 1400–1750.” Journal of World History 21, no. 2 (2010): 242-243.
- ↑ Shimada Ryuto. “Economic Links with Ayutthaya: Changes in Networks between Japan, China, and Siam in the Early Modern Period.” Itinerario 37, no. 03 (December 2013), 96.
