Si Saowaphak

Si Saowaphak (full name Somdet Phra Si Saowaphak, Thai: สมเด็จ พระ ศรี เสาวภาคย์ also: Phrabat Somdet Phra Sanphet IV - พระบาท สมเด็จ พระ สรรเพชญ ที่ 4, † 1611) was for about 14 months King of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya in Siam (now Thailand ) as the successor of King Ekathotsarot.

Appearance and life

Prince Si Saowaphak was the son of King Ekathotsarot. His older brother, Prince Suthat was indeed appointed in 1607 to Uparat ( viceroy and heir to the throne ), but he was charged soon after Paya Nai Wai of the conspiracy against the king, and condemned by Ekathotsarot heavy heart to death. By the king was expected that he would appoint his second eldest son, Prince Si Saowaphak crown prince, but the king took no action in this direction.

When King died in 1610 Ekathotsarot, Prince Si Saowaphak followed him on the throne. They say Si Saowaphak was blind in one eye and was totally unsuitable for the post. Only a few months after the accession led the Secretary of Defense ( Thai: ออกญา กลาโหม - Okya Kalahom ) to Suriyawong, later King Prasat Thong, a coup, was killed in consequence of Si Saowaphak and his brother Prince Si Sin (later King Songtham ) on 16 November 1611 ascended the throne.

King Si Saowaphak is referred to by some historians as "false king " or " Phantom King " because few written records exist of his reign. For example, Si was Saowaphak of the chronicler Jeremias Van Vliet, merchant of the VOC, who lived in Ayutthaya from 1633 years to 1642, in his " Short History of the Thai kings " ( Cort Verhael van't naturel Eijnde of an accomplished tijt end successie the Coningen van Siam, sooveel Daer voor bij d' oude histories professes not mentioned sijn ) from 1640.