King Taksin the Great (aka the King of Thonburi) was first named “Sin” (Chinese name: “Sern Sern Sin”). He was born on Sunday, April 17, 1734. His father is a Teochew Chinese immigrant named Hai-Hong. His mother, Lady Nok-Iang, was Thai. They got married during the reign of King Boromakot (aka Somdet Phra Maha Thammarachathirat III). When King Taksin was young, he was adopted by Chao Phraya Chakri. When he was five, Sin was taught by a monk named Thong-Dee at Kosawat temple (aka Klung temple). He completed the study of Khom language and Thai language as well as the Tripitaka. When he was 13 years old, Sin served the service of King Boromakot as a royal page and he was assigned to work with Chao Phraya Chakri’s son. Sin studied with a Chinese, an Annamese, and an Indian teachers and was able to communicate fluently in all of the three languages.