Songtham

Rebellion King Ekathotsarot died in 1610/11 and was succeeded by King Si Saowaphak. Ruling less than a year, and showing no ability, he was murdered. Before his death, Japanese traders stormed the palace and took the king hostage. He was released only after promising not to harm any of the Japanese.

Prince Chula Chakrabongse (1908–63) states, "the king went insane before he died...His younger son, who had killed the elder brother when their father was alive but helpless, now seized the throne." He became King Songtham, "The Pious" or "The Just", after he repented his act.

Religious viewpoints

Songtham was said to be very religious – both by the Siamese and van Vliet – as for his religious youth. His name Songtham was a posthumous reverence that means "maintaining the virtues". His reign was the glamorous time for Siamese peasants who were free from wars and suppression. The most prominent achievement in his reign was the discovery of Buddha's Footprint at Saraburi. Songtham ordered the construction of a temple, Wat Phra Phutthabat, over the footprint – the footprint itself can still be seen today. From Songtham onwards, Ayutthayan kings paid annual respect to the Buddha's Footprint in a grand river procession.

Martial affairs On martial affairs, however, King Songtham was less successful. In 1621 he himself led Siamese armies into Cambodia to bring the kingdom under control but was repelled by King Chey Chettha II of Oudong. Songtham sent his brother Uparaja Si Sin to invade again in 1622 and failed. During this invasion, King Songtham was supported by the Dutch East India Company. Two warships from Batavia were sent by Governor General Jan Pieterszoon Coen to assist the Siamese fleet. In 1622 Toungoo King Anaukpetlun took Tavoy (modern-day Dawei) away from the Siamese.

During his reign, Cambodia and Lanna revolted and became independent once more.

Songtham signed a treaty with the Dutch on 12 June 1617. All trading however, was through the King's government. Colonies from China, Malay, Japan, Burma, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam were tolerated. The Portuguese, who were united with the Spanish in a personal union at the time, were also caught up in this order and all the Iberians were technically disgraced from Siam after nearly a hundred years of royal support.

Successor Songtham wanted his son, Chettha, to succeed him, though he was young. He therefore asked Phraya Siworawong (later Prasat Thong), to protect him from danger. After Songtham's death, Siworawong arrested and executed all those who had been opposed to Songtham's wishes.

Ancestry