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King Borommakot[3] (Thai: สมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัวบรมโกศ, pronounced [bɔ̄ː.rōm.mā.kòːt]) or King Maha Thammarachathirat II (Thai: สมเด็จพระมหาธรรมราชาธิราชที่ ๒) was the king of Ayutthaya from 1733 to 1758. His reign was the last blooming period of Ayutthaya as the kingdom would fall nine years after his death.[4]: 68–69
| Borommakot บรมโกศ | |
|---|---|
| King of Ayutthaya | |
 | |
| King of Siam | |
| Reign | 13 January 1733 – 26 April 1758[1] |
| Predecessor | Thai Sa |
| Successor | Uthumphon |
| Viceroy of Siam | |
| Tenure | 1708–1732 |
| Appointer | Thai Sa |
| Predecessor | Thai Sa |
| Successor | Thammathibet |
| Deputy Viceroy of Siam | |
| Tenure | circa 1703–1708 |
| Appointer | Suriyenthrathibodi |
| Predecessor | Chopkhotchaprasit |
| Successor | Anurak Devesh (as Deputy Viceroy of Rattanakosin) |
| Born | c. 1681[2] Ayutthaya Kingdom |
| Died | 26 April 1758 (aged 77–78) Ayutthaya, Ayutthaya Kingdom |
| Spouse | Phiphit Montri Aphainuchit |
| Issue | 108 sons and daughters, including: Thammathibet King Uthumphon King Ekkathat Thepphiphit |
| House | Ban Phlu Luang dynasty |
| Father | Suriyenthrathibodi |
"His reign of 25 years is important for being the last peaceful period of Ayudhya during which literature with the arts and crafts flurished." However, the king himself was known for "cruelty to people and animals alike," with seven of his sons meeting violent deaths.[4]: 67–68
Much of what survives in Ayutthaya today dates back to Borommakot's massive renovations of Ayutthaya temples in the second quarter of the 18th century.[5] King Rama I attempted to emulate the religious customs of Ayutthaya during Borommakot's reign in the early Bangkok period and even postponed his coronation until he was certain that his coronation was confidently modelled off of Borommakot's coronation.[6]
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Prince Phon (Thai: พร) was the son of Sanpet VIII. His elder brother, Prince Phet (เพชร), succeeded the throne as Sanphet IX (Thai Sa) in 1708.[7]: 277 Phon was then appointed as the Front Palace. However, Thai Sa decided that upon his death the throne would be given to his second eldest son, Prince Aphai, since Thai Sa's eldest son had entered the priesthood. In 1732, Thai Sa died and a civil war commenced. Phon led his armies against his nephews, Prince Aphai and Prince Paramet. The civil war within Ayutthaya was "a big fight, bigger than any which had occurred in Siam in former times". With the victory ensured, Phon executed his nephews, the government civil servant allies, and took the throne as King Borommakot.[7]: 280–281
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Because the Samuha Kalahom had lent the support to Prince Aphai, Borommakot removed the power of Samuha Kalahom by depriving its authorities over southern Siam and transferred the power to Kromma Tha instead. The Samuha Kalahom remained as a mere military figurehead.
Early in his reign in 1735, the king's eldest son and heir was accused of a love affair with one of his father's queen. The scandal led to the deaths of both the queen and the heir, leaving the country without an heir temporarily.[8]
In spite of the bloodshed that preceded his reign, Borommakot was known for his reconstruction of Buddhist temples and the peace and prosperity Ayutthaya finally enjoyed again. In 1753, Borommakot sent two Siamese monks to rehabilitate Theravada Buddhism in Sri Lanka.[7]: 282–283, 295 The Buddhist Sangha from present-day Sri Lanka sent a mission to Ayutthaya requesting Thai monks to re-ordain monks in Kandy and also re-establish Buddhist scriptures there.[8]
In 1741, Borommakot made his son Thammathibet the Grand Vizier. Thammathibet proved to be an able prince and was also known for being a poet. However, Thammathibet had affairs with two of Borommakot's concubines, Princess Sangwan[7]: 296 and Princess Nim—a severe crime. The lovers were caught in 1746 and the three were beaten. The Grand Vizier was lashed 120 strokes and he died while he was beaten, and the two concubine princesses 30 lashes each. Princess Sangwan died 3 days later. Princess Nim survived, but she was banished from the court.
Borommakot then appointed his third son, Duea (เดื่อ; later became Uthumphon), as the Grand Vizier. Borommakot skipped his second son, Ekkathat, because he thought that Ekkathat was not suitable to be a king.[7]: 297
However, Ekkathat still had designs on the throne, and the subsequent struggles of the princes for the throne would contribute to the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767, during the reign of Ekkathat.[7]: 298–300
Renovation projects
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Borommakot dramatically transformed the skyline of Ayutthaya, much of what survives in Ayutthaya today dates from his reign.
Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit underwent major renovations by Borommakot, resulting in its current wihan design. Heavily damaged by the Burmese sack in 1767, the wihan was completely restored in the 20th century.[9]
King Borommakot renovated both Wat Mahathat, Phitsanulok, and Wat Mahathat Thung Yang, as according to the Ayutthaya chronicles. The Ayutthaya Royal Palace and Wat Phu Khao Thong was also the scene of massive renovations partaken by Borommakot.
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Boromakot was revered by the later Bangkok aristocracy for his religious reforms at attempting to solve the issues of social turmoil, something which the later Bangkok aristocracy would attempt to implement in the Rattanakosin Kingdom under King Rama I's reign.
Rama I attempted to emulate the religious customs of Ayutthaya during Borommakot's reign in the early Bangkok period and even postponed his coronation until he was certain that his coronation was confidently modelled off of Borommakot's coronation.[10]
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| # | Consort and Concubines | Children |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Khao, Princess Aphainuchit | Thammathibet, Prince Senaphithak (or Narathibet) Princess Borom Princess Suriya Wong Princess Suriya Princess Thida Princess Ratsami |
| 2. | Phlap, Princess Phiphit Montri | Princess Siripracha (or Prachawadi) Princess Siriprapha (or Praphawadi) Princess Inthawadi (or Phinthawadi) Princess Kasattri Ekkathat, Prince Anurak Montri Princess Buachan (or Chanthrawadi) Inthasudawadi, Princess Yisanseni Uthumphon Ratchakuman, Prince Phon Phinit |
| 3. | Princess Inthasucha Thewi | Princess Kunthon Prince Aphon Princess Mongkut Prince Sangkhit |
| 4. | Concubine Si | Princess Pha-op Maengmao, Princess Wimonphat Prince Sathit Prince Phong Prince Taeng |
| 5. | Concubine Phi | Prince In |
| 6. | Others | Khaek, Prince Thepphiphit Mangkhut, Prince Chit Sunthon Rot, Prince Sunthonthep Pan, Prince Sepphakdi Princess Fakthong |
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