1. Wichaichan was a Siamese prince and member of the Chakri dynasty.
15 Facts About Wichaichan
1. 2.
Wichaichan was the eldest son of Viceroy Pinklao and Princess Aim, and thus nephew to King Mongkut.
3.
Wichaichan succeeded his father by being appointed the Front Palace and Viceroy of Siam in 1868, during the reign of his cousin King Chulalongkorn.
4.
Wichaichan was defeated and the power of the Front Palace was greatly diminished.
5.
Wichaichan was a great friend of the British Consul-General to Siam: Thomas George Knox, he was originally recruited by Pinklao to modernize the Front Palace's armed forces.
6.
However, the nomination of Wichaichan was supported by Sri Suriwongse who wanted to secure a line of succession by appointing an able and experienced Front Palace.
7.
The relationship between Chulalongkorn and the Wichaichan would remain difficult for the rest of the latter's life, based on this fact.
8.
Wichaichan controlled a naval forces of several steam powered gunboats.
9.
Wichaichan was able to keep only 200 guards of small weaponry and was forced to abdicate his title of viceroy.
10.
Wichaichan lived the rest of his life quietly as an educated gentleman, being consigned to his palace.
11.
In 1881 Wichaichan met King Kalakaua of the Hawaiian Islands, who made a stop in Siam on his world tour.
12.
The king noted that Wichaichan was well educated and spoke English fluently.
13.
Wichaichan died on 28 August 1885 at the age of 47.
14.
Prince Bovorn Wichaichan was cremated with great ceremony on the field of Sanam Luang on 14 June 1886.
15.
Prince Wichaichan received the following honours from the Siamese honour system:.