Petracha
| Phetracha เพทราชา |
|
|---|---|
| King of Ayutthaya | |
| King of Siam | |
| Reign | 1688–1703 |
| Predecessor | Narai |
| Successor | Sanphet VIII |
| Born | 1632 |
| Died | February 1703 Ayutthaya, Ayutthaya Kingdom |
| Spouse |
Sudawadi Si Suphan Thephamat Kusawadi of Chiang Mai |
| Issue |
Suriyenthrathibodi Prince Trat Noi Prince Phra Khwan Princess Chim Princess Chin Prince Dam Prince Kaeo Prince Bunnak |
| House | Ban Phlu Luang dynasty |
| Mother | Lady Si Satcha (Prem) |
Phetracha (alternative spellings: Bedraja, P'etraja, Petraja, Petratcha; also called Phra Phetracha; Thai: เพทราชา; 1632–1703) 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 Ayutthaya kingdom 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.
Phetracha was born in 1632 at Baan Plu Luang, Suphanburi. De la Loubère has recorded that he was a cousin of King Narai, and that his mother was also King Narai's wet nurse. It was also recorded that his sister was one of King Narai's queens.
He was Commander of the Royal Regiment of Elephants, and wrote a manual with Narai on the art of elephant craft. Hence, he was sometimes 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 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.
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