Suriyenthrathibodi
King Sanphet VIII[1] (Thai: สมเด็จพระสรรเพชญ์ที่ ๘) or King Suriyenthrathibodi (Thai: สมเด็จพระเจ้าสุริเยนทราธิบดี) (1661 – 1708) was the King of Ayutthaya from 1703 to 1708 and the second ruler of the Ban Phlu Luang Dynasty. Suriyenthrathibodi was also known by the noble title he held before ascending the throne, Luang Sorasak (Thai: หลวงสรศักดิ์). He was the adopted son of Phetracha, the founder of the Ban Phlu Luang dynasty.[2]: 277 Early lifeBorn in Phichit Province, Ayutthaya Kingdom in 1661, Prince Ma Duea was the secret son of King Narai and his concubine Princess Kusawadi of Chiang Mai. Back then Kusawadi was already pregnant with him when Narai gave her to Phetracha to be his wife, Phetracha raised him as his own son. At a young age, he showed great interest in learning the art of the eight limbs, the forerunner to modern Muay Thai, under the tutelage of Ajahn Saeng, the son of the abbot of Mahathat, and continually became involved in flight and brawls. The "Revolution" of 1688When King Narai was seriously ill with no hope of recovery, Phetracha arrested the King, his adopted son Phra Pi, and Constantine Phaulkon and the French officers on 18 May 1688. Phetracha and Sorasak were part of a xenophobic clique within the Siamese nobility and thus, rallied many disgruntled Siamese nobles who felt eclipsed by the influence of foreigners at court. Phra Pi was executed on 20 May. Phaulkon too was executed by Luang Sorasak on 5 June. Narai, on his deathbed, was unable to do anything, except cursing Luang Sorasak and his adoptive father Phetracha. Luang Sorasak then had Narai's two half-brothers, Prince Aphaithot and Prince Noi, executed.[2]: 271–273 Following the death of King Narai, Phetracha had proclaimed himself King, he appointed Luang Sorasak as the Prince Viceroy. Becoming the "Tiger King"After the death of his adoptive father Phetracha in 1703, Sorasak triumphed over his younger half-brother Prince Khwan, another son of Phetracha with Princess Sisuphan, and was proclaimed as the new king. Despite the promise of giving up his throne to Prince Khwan when he reached a certain age, Sorasak secretly had him executed. As king, he constructed Wat Pho Prathap Chang at the alleged site of his birthplace in Phichit Province. The Siamese commoners in his time gave him the name Phra Chao Suea,[1] (Thai: พระเจ้าเสือ "Tiger King"), for he was, according to the official chronicles, as evil as a tiger.[3] "Stories abound of his appalling private life and his acts of cruelty."[4]: 67 The Chronicle of Ayutthaya, Phan Chanthanumat (Choem)'s Edition, described his behaviour as follows:[3]
The Chronicle of Ayutthaya, British Museum's Version, also contained the like:[5]
Suriyenthrathibodi and Phan Thai NorasingThere was a folktale that Suriyenthrathibodi’s desire to save the life of his wheelsman Phan Thai Norasing showed his compassionate side. There is no historical proof for this story. DeathThe Chronicle of Ayutthaya, Phra Chakraphatdiphong (Chat) Version described Suriyenthrathibodi to have died in 1708, after contracting an incapacitating and fatal illness during his pilgrimage to Phra Phutthabat Temple at Saraburi.[6] It should be considered that the wilderness surrounding the temple complex was infamous for causing steep fatality rates amongst its local officials, as a result of malaria which is referred traditionally by Thais as “Forest disease” (ไข้ป่า). Issue
Ancestry
References
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