Borommakot

King Borommakot (, ) or King Maha Thammarachathirat II 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.

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. 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.

Ayutthya civil war Prince Phon was the son of Sanpet VIII. His elder brother, Prince Phet , succeeded the throne as Sanphet IX (Thai Sa) in 1708. 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.

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.

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.

Character The Royal Chronicles of Siam from a British Museum manuscript describes King Borommakot as having a markedly different disposition from his father King Suriyenthrathibodi and his elder brother King Thai Sa. It states that he habitually refrained from killing, cultivated meritorious conduct, and was generous in giving alms to monks, Brahmins, beggars, and even animals; it also depicts him as enjoying recreational outings (including visits to Bang Pa-In and Nakhon Luang, boating excursions, and seasonal festivities).

The King Borommarachathirat (Borommakot) of this reign had a temperament different from that of his royal father (Suriyenthrathibodi) and his elder royal brother (Thai Sa). He constantly refrained from taking life; he conducted himself in meritorious and righteous ways. Monks, Brahmins, and the people lived together in happiness and enjoyment throughout the realm. The King had faith and gave alms to monks and Brahmins, to beggars and vagrants, and to animals of all kinds, without exception. At times he went to visit the palace at Ban O In (Bang Pa-In) and the royal city at Nakhon Luang. At times he boarded the great royal pavilion-barge and sailed down to the mouth of Phra Prataeng to view the waters and the fish. When it came time to thresh the rice, he went to thresh at the royal fields of Hantra, then put the rice into rantae (a winnowing tray) and had all the royal sons and daughters and the ladies of the palace pull it into the Inner Palace; then they made a great ceremonial "chatra" and rice gruel (khao yaku) and offered them each year to the senior monks at the royal monasteries, never failing to do so. The King never tired of amusements—running bulls and buffaloes, rowing boats, and staging fights between tigers and elephants—so there was enjoyment in every season. — Royal Chronicles of Siam from a British Museum manuscript

He is the king of the capital of Sriwardhana, steadfast in excellent conduct, and filled with many virtues. He rouses the hearts of the good, as the radiance of the sun falls upon a lotus. His voice is deep; his words are sweet as honey, and gladden the listener like the song of the karavika bird. He is foremost among those devoted to supporting the welfare of the whole world, a sustainer of the city of Sri–Kanta, and outstanding in all things. — Sri Lankan embassy, Chronicle of Vilapadehera on the Sri Lankan embassy to Siam (tr. Nanta Sutakul)

Issue Consort and Concubines Children 1. Khao, Princess Aphainuchit Thammathibet, Prince Senaphithak (or Narathibet)Princess BoromPrincess Suriya WongPrincess SuriyaPrincess ThidaPrincess Ratsami 2. Phlap, Princess Phiphit Montri Princess Siripracha (or Prachawadi)Princess Siriprapha (or Praphawadi)Princess Inthawadi (or Phinthawadi)Princess KasattriEkkathat, Prince Anurak MontriPrincess Buachan (or Chanthrawadi)Inthasudawadi, Princess YisanseniUthumphon Ratchakuman, Prince Phon Phinit 3. Princess Inthasucha Thewi Princess KunthonPrince AphonPrincess MongkutPrince Sangkhit 4. Concubine Si Princess Pha-opMaengmao, Princess WimonphatPrince SathitPrince PhongPrince Taeng 5. Concubine Phi Prince In 6. Others Khaek, Prince ThepphiphitMangkhut, Prince Chit SunthonRot, Prince SunthonthepPan, Prince SepphakdiPrincess Fakthong

Ancestry