Points to note under King Narai (the 30th King)
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The most famous Ayutthayan king
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The most prosperous reign during
the Ayutthaya period
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The great commercial and
diplomatic activities with
foreign nations including
the Persians and the West
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An unusual record of a Greek adventurer: Constantine Phaulkon (arrived in Ayutthaya in B.E. 2218)
UNUSUAL: Phaulkon was made the chancellor of the state (never was any non-Thai nobility)
Paving ways for French soldiers and missionaries to fill the Siamese aristocracy and defense
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Creating a delicate balance of power between the different parties of foreign powers, most notably the Chinese to the north, the Dutch to the South, and the English who were making their first invasion s into India to the west.
STRENGTH/POSITIVE:
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The Siamese kingdom came into close diplomatic relations with the court of Louis XIV (through the arrangements of Phaulkon)
MORE STRENGTH/POSITIVE of King Narai
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The use of foreign influences in King Narai’s court may have prevented the colonisation of Ayutthaya
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Providing “a rare glimpse into the world of the Ayutthayan court “ by the records of certain diplomatic missions, particularly those from the west:
Chevalier de Chaumont’s French accounts
The Abbé de Choisy
Fr. Tachard,
Claude de Forbin
Simon de La Loubère
ALSO the Persian account of Muhammad Rabi' ibn Muhammad Ibrahim
Most original Ayutthaya records were destroyed with the city in B.E. 2310.
Since King Trailokanart (the 9th King of Ayuthaya) , the Siamese literature has been dormant, but once again revived due to the relative stability during King Narai’s reign.
Of particular literary work were: Samutkote - Khamchan (สมุทรโฆษคำฉันท์) composed for his 25th birthday anniversary, is regarded as the apex of the poetry of this kind
Jindamanee (จินดามณี) composed in B.E.2215 – the first textbook for the learning of Thai language
Royal annals/chronicles in B.E.2223
(by Luang Prasertaksornniti.
Something from a foreign lady:
Thai Desserts & snacks
Marie Guimar (Maria Guyomar de Pinha) –
Constantine Phaulkon’s wife introduced
several kinds of desserts and snacks which
has been passed on and remain notable
Thai desserts and snacks of Thailand until now,
including: desserts made from egg yolks.