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Lek Chakri, Chao Phraya Kosathibodi

1632 – 1683

Siamese official and trader

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About Lek Chakri, Chao Phraya Kosathibodi

Lived 1632 – 1683 (aged 50–51). Lek Chakri, Chao Phraya Kosathibodi was a military personnel, politician and civil servant.

Chao Phraya Kosathibodi (; 1632 – July 1683), born Lek , commonly known as Kosa Lek , was a prominent Siamese military commander during the reign of King Narai of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. He served as the Phra Khlang (Minister of Trade and Foreign Affairs) and was the elder brother of the renowned diplomat Kosa Pan and the royal consort Thao Sri Chulalak.

Background Lek was born to a Siamese woman in the Ayutthaya Kingdom in 1632. Chao was a wet nurse for Phetracha, and also for Prince Narai on the following year, thus making Lek their foster brother. Kosa Lek and his younger brother Kosa Pan were important officials to Narai. When a group of senior lords who helped Narai to succeed to the throne had lost their power a group of young nobles led by Lek and his brother came to help Narai in their place. Lek served as a field general for Narai from 1660 to 1672, and was involved in the Burmese–Siamese War.

Lek became a minister and also a trader, and had a deep trade rivalry with one of the King's favorite Aqa Muhammed Astarabadi of the Persian community until the latter was accused of corruption in 1677 and executed by having his mouth sealed shut in October 1679.

Later Lek put a Greek adventurer and trader Constantine Phaulkon into his service to help facilitating his trading business. Impressed by his talent, Lek introduced him into the court of King Narai in 1681 and Phaulkon began to work as an interpreter. Phaulkon's ability to manage accounting and foreign affairs quickly gained the royal favor of the King.

In 1683, Lek had a disagreement with King Narai over the construction of a European-style fortress as suggested by Phaulkon. Lek was said to have received a bribe of 50 scales (about 4,000 baht in present days) from some certain phrai who did not want it built. King Narai had his men flog Lek with rattan sticks, after which he died from his injuries about a month later.

Although King Narai grieved for Lek's death, this did not stop him from sending his men to confiscate Lek's properties, leaving his family with nothing. King Narai offered Lek's former position to Phaulkon, which he declined and instead accepted the advisory role to the Malay noble Okya Wang, who had assumed the position.

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Important facts

Born
1632, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
Birth century
Died
1683, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
Nationality
Ayutthaya Kingdom
Also known as
Chao Phraya Kosathibodi (Lek)

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Lek Chakri, Chao Phraya Kosathibodi's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Lek Chakri, Chao Phraya Kosathibodi?

siamese official and trader

When was Lek Chakri, Chao Phraya Kosathibodi born?

Lek Chakri, Chao Phraya Kosathibodi was born in 1632 in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya.

When did Lek Chakri, Chao Phraya Kosathibodi die?

Lek Chakri, Chao Phraya Kosathibodi died in 1683 in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya.

What was Lek Chakri, Chao Phraya Kosathibodi's occupation?

Lek Chakri, Chao Phraya Kosathibodi was a military personnel, politician and civil servant.

What nationality was Lek Chakri, Chao Phraya Kosathibodi?

Lek Chakri, Chao Phraya Kosathibodi's recorded nationality: Ayutthaya Kingdom.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Lek Chakri, Chao Phraya Kosathibodi

· Wikidata: Q11318080

· DBpedia: Kosa Lek

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Lek Chakri, Chao Phraya Kosathibodi. https://biography.guide/lek-chakri-chao-phraya-kosathibodi/

MLA: "Lek Chakri, Chao Phraya Kosathibodi." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/lek-chakri-chao-phraya-kosathibodi/.

Chicago: "Lek Chakri, Chao Phraya Kosathibodi." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/lek-chakri-chao-phraya-kosathibodi/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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