Constantine Phaulkon

Constantine Phaulkon (born Constantinos Gerakis, often short Phaulkon) (1647 - June 5 1688) was a Greek adventurer, who became first counsellor to King Narai of Ayutthaya.

Related Topics:
1647 - June 5 - 1688 - Greek - Narai - Ayutthaya

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Born on Cephalonia (Greece), Phaulkon came to Siam (today's Thailand) in 1675 after being a ship assistant on a English trade ship. He quickly learned Thai and began to work at the court of King Narai as a translator. Due to his connection with the British East India Company he quickly rose to become a counsellor of the king.

Related Topics:
Cephalonia - Greece - Thailand - 1675 - Thai - British East India Company

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Phaulkon's proximity to the king earned him the envy of many Thai members of the royal court. When King Narai became terminally ill, a rumor spread that Phaulkon wanted to use the designated heir, Phra Pui, to become king himself. In a coup d'état started by Phetracha, the foster brother of Narai, Phaulkon and his followers as well as the royal heir were arrested and killed on June 5, 1688 in Lopburi. After king Narai died a few days later, Phetracha became the new king of Siam and started a xenophobic regime.

Related Topics:
Coup d'état - Phetracha - Lopburi - Xenophobic

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Differing interpretations of Phetracha's motivation for ordering the arrest and execution of Phaulkon have made Phaulkon's position in Thai history controversial. Supporters of Phetracha's actions have depicted Phaulkon as an opportunistic foreign userper, who sought to use his influence with the court to take control of the kingdom on behalf of Western interests. Those more skeptical of Phetracha's motives believe that Phaulkon was a convenient scapegoat- a means for Phetracha to seize power by capitolizing on the envy and suspicion that Phaulkon had engendered.

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