Sanphet VI (Chai)

Chai
ไชย
King of Ayutthaya
King of Siam
Reign1655–1656
PredecessorPrasat Thong
SuccessorSi Suthammaracha
Born1630 (1630)
Died1656 (aged 25–26)
Names
Chai
Sanphet VI
HousePrasat Thong
FatherPrasat Thong

Chai (Thai: ไชย) or Somdet Chao Fa Chai (Thai: สมเด็จเจ้าฟ้าไชย; 1630 – 1656), also known as Sanphet VI (Thai: สมเด็จพระสรรเพชญ์ที่ 6), was the king of the Ayutthaya Kingdom from 1655 to 1656. The eldest son of King Prasat Thong, he reigned for less than a year before being deposed and executed in a coup led by his uncle, Si Suthammaracha, and his younger brother, Narai.

Reign and Overthrow

Upon King Prasat Thong’s death in 1655, Chao Fa Chai, his eldest son, succeeded his father as King Sanpet VI.

However, it was a Thai tradition gave brothers a higher priority over sons in succession. Prince Si Suthammaracha, Chao Fa Chai's uncle, plotted with his nephew, Prince Narai, to bring Chao Fa Chai down. After nine months of ascension, Chao Fa Chai was executed following a coup.[1]: 216–217 [2]: 56  Narai and his uncle marched[3] into the palace, and Si Suthammaracha crowned himself king. Si Suthammaracha appointed Narai as the Uparaja, or the Front Palace.

Ancestry

Ancestors of Sanphet VI (Chai)
4. Okya Sithammathirat
2. King Prasat Thong of Ayutthaya
1. King Chai of Ayutthaya
3. Pathumadevi

References

  1. ^ Rajanubhab, D., 2001, Our Wars With the Burmese, Bangkok: White Lotus Co. Ltd., ISBN 9747534584
  2. ^ Chakrabongse, C., 1960, Lords of Life, London: Alvin Redman Limited
  3. ^ Wyatt, DK (1984). Thailand: A Short History. Chiang Mai: Silkworm. p. 107.