Narai - The "Revolution" of 1688

The "Revolution" of 1688

Narai spent his whole reign reducing the power of native mandarins that caused much bloodshed during his predecessors’ time. He firstly supported Persian and later the French guards and advisors against the Thai mandarins. Even his ascension to the throne was orchestrated by Persian mercenaries. The French eventually enjoyed special favors from religious affairs to the military activities. One of the critical turning points concerned with the construction of the French forts and military barracks in Bangkok, at the river mouth. In dealing with the activities, the French mostly depended on Constantine Phaulkon, the king's favorite. The threat of the French military presence, reportedly, was felt among the court noble. All in all, factionalism, favoritism and nepotism became apparent.

The native mandarin somehow managed to reserve their powers, most notably Kosa Lek. With the death of Kosa Lek, Petracha, the chief of the Royal Elephant Department, emerged as the leading native power. Petracha had familial connections to Narai, with his mother as the king’s milkmaid and his sister as the king’s concubine.

Narai is said to fear of fathering a son. He therefore ordered the abortion of any of his impregnated consorts. He, however, adopted a son of a minor mandarin with the name of Phra Piya and made him his successor. The young prince was embraced by the French who managed to convert him to Catholicism.

Matters were brought to a head when King Narai fell gravely ill in March 1688 while the king stayed in Lopburi palaces. Aware of the coming succession dispute, in May 1688 Narai called together his closest councillors: Phaulkon, Phra Phetracha, and Mom Pi and nominated his daughter, Kromluang Yothathep to succeed him. The three councillors were to act as regents until the princess took on a partner of her choice from one of the two Siamese councillors. Far from calming the situation, Narai's decision spurred Phetracha to act. With Narai essentially incapacitated by his illness, Phetracha was given a free hand to usurp the throne with the support of a resentful court as well as the Buddhist clergy and ethnic-Persian mandarins. Mom Pi and Phaulkon were arrested and executed as Narai laid furious on his deathbed, unable to do anything to save his favourite.

On the death of King Narai, Phetracha proclaimed himself king, expelled the French and virtually severed all ties with the West.Siamese troops attacked the French troops at Bangkok fort, ending with the flee of the French. After an initial confinement, missionaries were allowed to continue their work in Ayutthaya under some restrictions. Contact between Siam and the West remained sporadic, and would not return to the level seen in the reign of King Narai until the reign of King Mongkut in the mid-nineteenth century.