Phetracha

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Phetracha

king of Ayutthaya

Also known as: Bedraja, P’ra P’etraja, Petracha

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Jan 1, 2025 • Article History

Quick Facts

Also spelled:: Bedraja or Petracha

Also called:: P’ra P’etraja

Born:: 1633?

Died:: 1703, Ayutthaya [Thailand]

Title / Office:: king (1688-1703), Ayutthaya

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Phetracha (born 1633?—died 1703, Ayutthaya [Thailand]) was the king of the Tai kingdom of Ayutthaya, or Siam (ruled 1688–1703), whose policies reduced European trade and influence in the country and helped preserve its independence. Phetracha was the foster brother of King Narai, whose patronage helped him rise to become head of the Elephant Department and a leading general in the kingdom. He led the coup that toppled the Greek adventurer Constantine Phaulkon from ministerial office and expelled a French expeditionary force from Ayutthaya in 1688. In that year he seized the throne himself and determined to drastically reduce foreign power ...(100 of 158 words)

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