Phraya Rachasetthi (Chen Lian)

Phraya Rachasetthi , personal name Chen Lian (陳聯 pinyin: Chén Lián) or Tang Lieng (Teochew: dang5 liêng5) or Trần Liên (in Vietnamese sources) was the governor of Hà Tiên from 1771 to 1773, appointed by King Taksin of Thonburi. He was a Teochew Chinese general of the Thonburi Kingdom, formerly known as Luang Phiphit and Phraya Phiphit . or Kosathibodi, the minister of Trade and Treasury, without actually assuming the title of Phrakhlang. De Fels proposed that the full title of Phraya Phiphit was Phraya Phiphit Phokhakorn the governor of Trat.

In 1769, Taksin sent Phraya Kosa Chen Lian to lead the Siamese forces to attack Cambodia through Prachinburi. Phraya Kosa managed to temporarily seize Battambang. In the same year, in 1769, Mạc Thiên Tứ sent a Hà Tiên navy under Trần Hầu (Trần Đại Lực) to attack Chanthaburi. Phraya Phiphit Chen Lian led King Taksin's naval fleet to invade and conquer Hà Tiên in 1771, becoming governor of Hà Tiên for two years until his retreat in 1773. In late 1771, King Taksin conducted his campaigns to invade and conquer Hà Tiên. He sent Phraya Phiphit Chen Lian ahead as the admiral and another Chinese Phraya Phichai Aisawan , personal name Yang Chin-chong or Yang Jinzong (楊進宗), as vanguard.

Little was known about Phraya Rachasetthi Chen Lian after 1773. He retained his title even though he did not actually govern Hà Tiên anymore. His role shifted to the command of Taksin's royal Chinese regiment. During the Bangkaeo Campaign in February 1775, Taksin ordered Phraya Rachasetthi Chen Lian to lead his Chinese regiment to guard the town of Ratchaburi against the incoming Burmese invasion.