Narai was the king of Ayutthaya Kingdom from 1656 to 1688 and arguably the most famous king of the Prasat Thong dynasty.
19 Facts About Narai
2.
Narai's reign was the most prosperous during the Ayutthaya period and saw the great commercial and diplomatic activities with foreign nations including the Middle East and the West.
3.
Narai had an siblings younger sister Princess Si Suphan, elder half-brother Prince Chai, and an uncle Prince Si Suthammaracha.
4.
Prince Sudharmmaraja plotted with his nephew, Prince Narai, to bring Sanpet VI down.
5.
However, Narai was an ambitious prince and had requested Dutch support against his uncle.
6.
Narai ordered his soldiers to surround her residence and entered the house.
7.
Narai drew his support from the Persian and Japanese mercenaries that had been persecuted during his father's reign.
8.
Narai was supported by the Dutch East India Company, as well as his brothers and the Okya Sukhothai, a powerful nobleman.
9.
Domestic policies in King Narai's reign were greatly affected by the interference of foreign powers most notably the Chinese to the north, the Dutch to the South, and the English who were making their first forays into India to the west.
10.
Narai handed over control of Mergui to French officer Chevalier de Beauregard and his small French garrison.
11.
King Narai built a new palace at present-day Lopburi utilising the expertise of Jesuit architects and engineers.
12.
The most remarkable aspect of King Narai's reign were the diplomatic missions that he sent and received during his reign.
13.
King Narai reciprocated by sending a mission to France in 1680 led by Phya Pipatkosa.
14.
The second half of Narai's reign was a period of growing French influence as facilitated by Phaulkon.
15.
The Makassars were subsequently defeated and Narai had many burnt at the stake.
16.
Narai agreed to station French troops at Mergui and Bangkok, both with Western-style forts.
17.
Narai spent his whole reign reducing the power of native mandarins that had caused much bloodshed during his predecessors' time.
18.
Narai firstly supported Persian, and later, the French guards and advisors, against the Thai mandarins.
19.
Narai therefore ordered abortions to be carried out on any of his impregnated consorts.