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42-590: King Trailokanat promulgated the constitution of Chatusadom in his Palatine Law, or Phra aiyakan tamnaeng na phonlaruean ( Thai : พระไอยการตำแหน่งนาพลเรือน ), with the promulgation date being 1454. The original written law had been lost, however. Chatusadom went through subsequent amendments over time and King Rama I enacted the Palatine Law in the Three Seals Law , from which the Chatusadom

84-438: A few times. His reign was marred by rebellions, insurrections and political upheavals throughout due to the nature of his ascension to power, especially those claiming ties of loyalty to the previous dynasty, as well as to the late King Narai himself. Phetracha was born in 1632 at Phuluang village, Suphan Buri . His wet nurse was Chao Mae Dusit who was the mother of Kosa Lek and Kosa Pan , De la Loubère has recorded that he

126-684: A long list of functionaries. After King Trailokanat, auxiliary departments were added to the apparatus to meet the demands. King Ramathibodi II established the Krom Phra Suratsawadi ( Thai : กรมพระสุรัสวดี ) or the Registration Department in 1518 to specifically oversee the census of manpower for more efficient levy and conscription. After the conclusion of a trade treaty with the Portuguese in 1511, Phra Khlang Sinkha ( Thai : พระคลังสินค้า ) or Royal Warehouse

168-731: A younger son was made the Uparaja of Phitsanulok, junior to the Uparaja of Ayutthaya. In 1468, Borommatrailokkanat adopted a mandala tributary system, and ranked the cities recognizing him as overlord . Phitsanulok and Nakhon Sri Thamarat were listed among the eight great first-rank cities ( Phraya maha nakhon ). The mueang s Sing , In and Phrom were downgraded to be the level of four cities ( เมืองจัตวา ) under Lopburi . Governors of first class towns were chao phraya , second class were phraya , third class were phra , fourth class were luang , fifth class were khun , and sixth class were muen . In 1455, Borommatrailokkanat sent envoys to

210-461: The Mahatthai (precursor of the ministry of interior )—were introduced by Borommatrailokkanat. Originally they were meant to serve as simultaneous military and civil Greater Officers of State for the north and south, respectively. Also in his reign in 1454, noble titles were first codified under the hierarchy system called sakdina . Each subject was given a numerical ranking corresponding to

252-522: The Malacca Sultanate . The Thai had been suspicious of the sultanate since its conversion to Islam . The expedition was mentioned in Portuguese chronicles, written several years later, as not of great significance. Yutthitthira , a Sukhothai royal and Boromtrailokkanat’s relative, was the king's close childhood friend. He himself had promised Yuttittira the title of uparaja. However, after Borommatrailokkanat’s reforms, Yuttittira ended up with

294-541: The Ministry of Interior and Krom Kalahom became the Ministry of Defence , thus ending the Chatusadom system. Borommatrailokkanat Borommatrailokkanat ( Thai : บรมไตรโลกนาถ , pronounced [bɔ̄ː.rōm.mā.trāj.lôːk.kā.nâːt] , Sanskrit : Brahmatrailokanātha ) or Trailok (1431–1488) was the king of the Ayutthaya Kingdom from 1448 to 1488. He was one of many monarchs who gained

336-597: The 20th century. He separated civil and military officials, giving them titular ranks and feudal ranks to create the hierarchy of nobility, or life-nobles. He also established the mandalas : Inner Cities, Outer Cities, and Tributaries. He also stopped the tradition of appointing royal princes to govern cities, as they had always clashed with each other in times of succession. Borommatrailokkanat promulgated Ayutthayan Law in 1458. The traditional ministries of Thailand—the Kalahom (predecessor of today's ministry of defence ) and

378-649: The Four Ministries held the rank of Phraya in the Ayutthaya period. However, during the late Ayutthaya and Bangkok period the ranks of these ministers rose to Chaophraya . The Four Ministries of Chatusadom or Wiang-Wang-Khlang-Na had existed in Ayutthaya before 1455. Each ministry was called Krom and the ministers held the rank of Khun . The chancellor of the executives in Early Ayutthaya

420-621: The Lan Na armies to invade Ayutthaya but without achieving fruitful results and retreated. Trailokkanat then took this opportunity to retake Sukhothai. Borommatrailokkanat, upon seeing the seriousness of the wars, made Phitsanulok his base, moving the capital from Ayutthaya. Borommatrailokkanat, accompanied by more than 2000 followers, was the first Thai king to be ordained as a Buddhist monk . The ordination took place at Wat Chulamani, Phitsanulok , in 1461. In 1463, Lan Na invaded again. Borommatrailokkanat sent his son, Prince Intharacha , to crush

462-495: The Phraklang ministry was separated into the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1875. Each ministry was called Krasuang ( Thai : กระทรวง ) instead of Krom , which became a term for subordinate departments. The reforms culminated in 1892 when King Chulalongkorn announced the official establishment of modern Cabinet comprising twelve ministries on April 1, 1892. The Krom Mahatthai of Samuhanayok became

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504-686: The Royal Department of Elephants. However, in 1688 he led the Siamese revolution of 1688 , had Narai's heirs executed, and by marrying Narai's only daughter took the throne of Ayutthaya kingdom upon Narai's death. He opposed the pro-French policies of Narai, ejecting the French officers and some other French citizens from the kingdom, and launched the Siege of Bangkok , to exile all French troops from Siam. Since then, Siam and France have only contacted

546-602: The authority of Chatusadom to the regional level and redefined the two prime ministers. The Samuha Nayok became the Prime Minister of Northern Siam in both Civil and Military affairs while the Samuha Kalahom became the Prime Minister of Southern Siam. The division between the two prime ministers went from "functional" to "regional". King Phetracha also assigned the coastal port cities to the Krommatha . Siam

588-498: The capital before the French and English finally ended their dispute with Siam. During his reign, "there were troubles for a long time", according to Damrong Rajanubhab . The governors of Nakhon Si Thammarat and Nakhon Ratchasima rebelled and it took many years for them to be suppressed. Upon his death on 5 February 1703, Phetracha was succeeded by his eldest son Sorasak, the Prince Vicroy or "Tiger Prince", who took

630-468: The duties and responsibilities of the two prime ministers to his ministers without officially investing them with titles and honors. The greatest reform of Chatusadom came during the reign of King Phetracha . King Phetracha, who faced rebellions in Nakhon Ratchasima and Nakhon Si Thammarat that took nearly three years to quell, sought to reduce the power of regional governors. He expanded

672-541: The epithet King of White Elephants ( Thai : พระเจ้าช้างเผือก ). He was the first Thai king to possess a "noble" or white elephant , which, according to Buddhist belief, was a "glorious and happy sign". His reign was also known for massive reforms of Thai bureaucracy and a successful campaign against the Lan Na Kingdom to the north. He was revered as one of the greatest monarchs of Thailand. Prince Ramesuan (not to be confused with King Ramesuan r. 1369–1370)

714-491: The expansion of foreign trading), Phetracha was a traditionalist who was allegedly disgusted by international influence in Ayutthaya kingdom. King Narai himself favored the opening of his country and created many diplomatic ties with European countries, notably France. When Narai was seriously ill with no hope of recovery, on 18 May 1688 Phetracha had a successful coup and arrested Narai himself, his half-brothers Prince Aphaithot and Prince Noi, and his adopted son Phra Pi. Phaulkon

756-453: The former territories of Sukhothai which were now known as the "northern cities" ( Mueang Nuea) and increase the control of the ruling family over them. Borommaracha II died in 1448, Prince Ramesuan was then crowned King Borommatrailokkanat of Ayutthaya, making a personal union between Sukhothai and Ayutthaya. Borommatrailokkanat reformed the Thai bureaucracy – the system lasted well into

798-411: The invading armies. Indraracha defeated Yutthitthira but was killed during battles against Nagara, Tilokkarat’s uncle. However, Lan Na was plunged by her own internal princely conflicts. In 1474, Borommatrailokkanat finally expelled Lan Na out of Ayutthaya territories. The next year, Tilokarat sought peace settlements. In Phitsanulok, Borommatrailokkanat ordered the establishment of new temples as well as

840-461: The king in Civil and Military Affairs, respectively. The officials were divided into Civil and Military divisions. However, as time progressed, the distinction between Civil and Military divisions became blurred and all official including Civil officials were expected to perform military duties especially during the wars. The two prime ministers and four ministers had their own offices and each office had

882-613: The mid-Ayutthaya period as he controlled military forces. Okya Kalahom Suriyawongse the Samuha Kalahom usurped the throne and ascended as King Prasat Thong in 1629. The power imbalance and potential threat from some ministers led the kings to reconsider and amend the Chatusadom bureaucracy. King Prasat Thong transferred the Cavalry and Elephant Regiments from Samuha Kalahom to Samuha Nayok . Some kings preferred not to appoint Samuhanayok or Samuhakalahom to avoid creating powerful nobles, most notably King Narai , who instead assigned

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924-671: The number of rai of land he was entitled to. Borommatrailokkanat adopted the position of Uparaja, translated as "Deputy-King", "viceroy" or "underking", usually held by the king's senior son, or full brother, or the sons of their queens, in an attempt to regularize the succession to the throne — a particularly difficult feat for a polygamous dynasty. In practice, there was inherent conflict between king and uparaja and frequent disputed successions. He appointed his eldest son Uparaja of Ayutthaya while he lived in Phitsanulok for twenty-five years, keeping Chiang Mai under control. Eventually,

966-522: The officer under his department and who helped contending the throne as the Prince Deputy Viceroy , and gave regalia as Prince Deputy Viceroy rank with Khun Ongkharaksa and promoted to Chaophraya Surasongkhram, because of the credit to helped contending the throne too. After withholding the siege for four months and later a negotiated settlement, the French soldiers were allowed to return to France. Only Hollanders were allowed to trade in

1008-493: The restoration of existing older ones. He ordered the construction of a cetiya and other buildings at Wat Ratchaburana, Phitsanulok , for example. In 1485, Borommatrailokkanat appointed his son Prince Chaiyachettha (later Ramathibodi II ) as the Uparaja and King of Sukhothai. The title "King of Sukhothai" then became a title for Ayutthayan Crown Prince. However, upon Borommatrailokkanat's death in 1488, his two sons inherited

1050-548: The throne in 1733 after a civil war with his nephews, transferred the cities of the Samuha Kalahom who had declared neutrality in the civil war to Chaophraya Chamnanborirak the Minister of Trade who was his ardent supporter. The Southern Siamese cities were then transferred from Kalahom to Krommatha . The Samuhakalahom became a powerless figure. After the Fall of Ayutthaya in 1767, Thonburi and Rattanakosin kingdoms inherited

1092-562: The title of the Governor of Phichit . Yutthitthira then claimed to be the rightful king of Sukhothai. Lan Na under Tilokkarat was so powerful that he led armies down south to subjugate Ayutthaya. In 1456, Yutthitthira sought Tilokkarat’s support and led the Lan Na armies to capture Sukhothai and proceeded further towards Ayutthaya. Borommatrailokkanat, however, led armies to successfully defeat Lan Na. Tilokarat of mueang Chiang Mai , and Yutthitthira, governor of mueang Sawankhalok led

1134-459: The two kingdoms, thus separating the union once again. Fort Borommatrailokkanat ( Royal Thai Army Base) in Samo Khae , Phitsanulok Province , is named after Borommatrailokkanat. Phetracha Phetracha (alternative spellings: Bedraja , P'etraja , Petraja , Petratcha ; also called Phra Phetracha ; Thai : เพทราชา , pronounced [pʰêːt.rāː.t͡ɕʰāː] ; 1632– 5 February 1703)

1176-737: The whole Chatusadom apparatus of the Late Ayutthaya period. King Rama I restored the Southern Siamese cities to the authority of Samuha Kalahom in 1782. The seals of top three ministers were stamped on the Three Seals Law . King Rama I who was formerly Chaophraya Chakkri the Samuha Nayok established the Chakri dynasty . The Samuhanayok s of the Rattanakosin period were then not known as " Chaophraya Chakkri", which

1218-608: Was a king of the Ayutthaya Kingdom , usurping the throne from his predecessor King Narai and originally settled in Phluluang Village. His dynasty , the Ban Phlu Luang dynasty, was the last ruling house of the Ayutthaya Kingdom . Originally a member of King Narai 's extended family (two of his relatives were among Narai's wives), he was a trusted councilor of Narai, and the Director-General of

1260-489: Was a cousin of King Narai, and that his mother was also one of King Narai's wet nurses . It was also recorded that his sister would later become one of King Narai's concubines. He was Right Director-General of the Royal Department of Elephants, and wrote a manual with Narai on the art of elephant craft. Hence, he was sometimes referred to as "the Elephant Prince". Although Thai historians recorded that Phetracha

1302-538: Was born in 1431 to King Borommarachathirat II or Chao Sam Phraya. Some authors claim that his mother was a princess of the Sukhothai Kingdom , daughter of Sai Lue Thai . According to historian Michael Vickery , however, this is not verifiable in historic sources and may be due to a misreading or misinterpretation of a chronicle. Be that as it may, Ramesuan was born at a time when the Kingdom of Sukhothai

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1344-648: Was called Senabodi ( Thai : เสนาบดี from Sanskrit Senapati ) who oversaw the Ministries. King Trailokanat organized and institutionalized the Four Ministries into bureaucratic apparatus in the Palatine Law of 1454. The Four Ministers were raised to the rank of Phraya and the Ministries were given Sanskrit-derived names. The executives was led by two prime ministers; the Samuhanayok and the Samuhakalahom , who performed administrative duties on behalf of

1386-496: Was derived. Each ministry was led by a Senabodi or Minister who held the rank of Phraya and each ministry had a Thai and a Sanskrit-derived name. Oversaw legal matters and trials. Also responsibled for assigning the "Yokkrabats" (similar to Magistrates) to the farther provinces. Known to Westerners as "Phrakhlang" or "Barcalon" and other derived terms. These four ministers were collectively called Wiang-Wang-Khlang-Na ( Thai : เวียงวังคลังนา ). The Senabodi ministers of

1428-504: Was established within the Ministry of Treasury to deal with foreign trades, in which the royal court held the monopoly. In the seventeenth century, the trade with Western nations grew and the Krommatha ( Thai : กรมท่า ) or the Ministry of Pier, formerly a department within the Ministry of Treasury, rose to importance and the term Krommatha became quite synonymous with Krommakhlang . The position of Samuhakalahom had grown powerful by

1470-438: Was increasingly tied to Ayutthaya, being under its suzerainty since 1412. When King Maha Thammaracha IV ( Borommapan ) of Sukhothai died in 1438, Borommaracha II of Ayutthaya annexed Sukhothai and installed his own son, then seven year old Prince Ramesuan, as viceroy ( uparaja ) of Sukhothai. When Ramesuan was 15 years old, the king sent him to Phitsanulok (which had replaced the city of Sukhothai as capital around 1430) to rule

1512-404: Was mostly studied. The Chatusadom bureaucracy was divided into Phonlaruean ( Thai : พลเรือน ) or Civil Affairs and Thahan ( Thai : ทหาร ) or Military Affairs. Chatusadom was led by two Prime Ministers, alternatively Grand Chancellors ( Thai : อัครมหาเสนาบดี ) who held the rank of Chaophraya . Below Samuhanayok in Civil affairs were the Four Ministries, from which Chatusadom' s name

1554-595: Was not interested in being King, Jesuit missionaries stated otherwise, that he was an ambitious man. While this matter is ambiguous, it is generally agreed that he was a very influential figure in that period, harboring respect from many officers. It is also said that he strongly believed in Buddhism, thus gaining support from many monks, who feared Ayutthaya kingdom was being converted to Christianity . Moreover, Phetracha seemed to gain King Narai's trust as well, as he

1596-408: Was one of King Narai's close aides and confidants. When the royal palace at Lopburi was finished, King Narai would stay there for many months in a year, leaving Phetracha as regent to take care of matters in Ayutthaya. Phetracha's rivalry with counsellor Constantine Phaulkon is understandable. While Phaulkon's ideology was to open Ayutthaya kingdom to the international community (and benefit from

1638-465: Was summoned to the palace, there he and the French officers were surrounded and disarmed. Phaulkon was thrown to the palace dungeon and brutally tortured. After questioning Phra Pi, he discovered Phra Pi had conspired with Phaulkon to assume the throne, and Phra Pi was executed on 20 May. Further questioning of Phaulkon revealed a plot to raise a rebellion, and he too was executed by Phetracha's adopted son Luang Sorasak on 5 June. Narai, on his deathbed,

1680-400: Was the generic title of Samuhanayok , but instead known from their individualized title names, most famously Chaophraya Bodindecha . By the late nineteenth century, the Chatusadom system was inadequate for the modernizing Siam. King Chulalongkorn and Prince Damrong gradually re-organized and transformed the Chatusadom ministries into the ministries in modern, Western sense. Firstly,

1722-438: Was then divided among the three ministers and the city governors were to report to the minister of their respective regions. The Minister of Trade or "Phraklang" also grown exceptionally powerful due to participation in foreign trades. By the eighteenth century in the Late Ayutthaya, three most powerful ministers of Siam were the Samuhanayok , the Samuhakalahom and Phraklang the Minister of Trade. King Borommakot , who ascended

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1764-475: Was unable to do anything, except curse Phetracha and his son. Luang Sorasak then had Prince Aphaithot and Prince Noi executed. Phetracha soon ordered his troops to attack the French troops led by General Desfarges at the start of Siege of Bangkok . On the death of Narai on 11 July, Phetracha proclaimed himself king, he appointed Luang Sorasak, his son as the Prince Viceroy and Nai Chopkhotchaprasit,

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