Chaophraya Thiphakorawong Mahakosathibodi (Kham Bunnak)
Thai politician
About Chaophraya Thiphakorawong Mahakosathibodi (Kham Bunnak)
Lived 1813 – 1870 (aged 56). Chaophraya Thiphakorawong Mahakosathibodi (Kham Bunnak) was a Thai historian, politician, writer, chronicler and foreign minister.
Chaophraya Thiphakorawong (1 October 1813–1870), born Kham Bunnag (, ), was a Thai aristocrat, government official, and scholar.
Family Kham Bunnag was born in 1813 into the powerful Bunnag family, a powerful Thai noble family of Persian ancestry. His father, Tish Bunnag, was a kinsman of the royal family who later served as regent for King Mongkut (Rama IV), while his brother Chuang Bunnag would go on to serve as regent for King Chulalongkorn (Rama V).
Government service Kham Bunnag entered the service of King Nangklao (Rama III), as an official in the Harbour Department. After the death of Rama III, the Bunnag family played a major role in selecting his successor. Kham's strong support for Mongkut earned him a role as Minister of State in 1853, Minister of the Treasury in 1855, and the title of Thiphakorawong in 1865. Thipakorawong was commissioned by Chulalongkorn to write the history of the first four reigns of the Chakri dynasty, which he completed before his death in 1870. Though the history was complete by 1870, the section on the reign of Rama III was not published until 1934, due to a controversial section detailing a powerful prince's homosexual inclinations. Thipakorawong's historical works were often edited, particularly by Prince Damrong, to remove items that were considered scandalous or critical of the early monarchs. He spent much of the book detailing how karma, reincarnation, and merit account for differences in social orders. While not necessarily derived from Mongkut's reforming views, it was clearly complementary to them.
The Nangsue Sadaeng Kitchanukit was translated into English by Henry Alabaster, an advisor to Chulalongkorn. Alabaster published his translation as the first part of his "The Wheel of the Law" in 1871. While generally regarded as a faithful translation, Alabaster's version omits many sections of Thipakorawong's work, including a defense of polygamy, and also includes his own commentary.
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Important facts
People in Chaophraya Thiphakorawong Mahakosathibodi (Kham Bunnak)'s life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Chaophraya Thiphakorawong Mahakosathibodi (Kham Bunnak)'s
Frequently asked questions
Who was Chaophraya Thiphakorawong Mahakosathibodi (Kham Bunnak)?
Thai politician
When was Chaophraya Thiphakorawong Mahakosathibodi (Kham Bunnak) born?
Chaophraya Thiphakorawong Mahakosathibodi (Kham Bunnak) was born on 1 October 1813 in Phra Nakhon District.
When did Chaophraya Thiphakorawong Mahakosathibodi (Kham Bunnak) die?
Chaophraya Thiphakorawong Mahakosathibodi (Kham Bunnak) died on 12 June 1870 in Bangkok, Phra Nakhon District, Siam.
What was Chaophraya Thiphakorawong Mahakosathibodi (Kham Bunnak)'s occupation?
Chaophraya Thiphakorawong Mahakosathibodi (Kham Bunnak) was a historian, politician, writer, chronicler and foreign minister.
What nationality was Chaophraya Thiphakorawong Mahakosathibodi (Kham Bunnak)?
Chaophraya Thiphakorawong Mahakosathibodi (Kham Bunnak) was Thai.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: Chaophraya Thiphakorawong Mahakosathibodi (Kham Bunnak)
· DBpedia: Chaophraya Thiphakorawong
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Chaophraya Thiphakorawong Mahakosathibodi (Kham Bunnak). https://biography.guide/chaophraya-thiphakorawong-mahakosathibodi-kham-bunnak/
MLA: "Chaophraya Thiphakorawong Mahakosathibodi (Kham Bunnak)." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/chaophraya-thiphakorawong-mahakosathibodi-kham-bunnak/.
Chicago: "Chaophraya Thiphakorawong Mahakosathibodi (Kham Bunnak)." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/chaophraya-thiphakorawong-mahakosathibodi-kham-bunnak/.
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