''Somdet Chao Phraya'' Borom Maha Prayurawongse (; ; 1788 - 26 April 1855) or Dit
Bunnag (; ) was a prominent political figure of Siam during the mid-19th century as a regent for King
Mongkut
Mongkut (18 October 18041 October 1868) was the fourth Monarchy of Thailand, king of Siam from the Chakri dynasty, titled Rama IV. He reigned from 1851 until his death in 1868.
The reign of Mongkut was marked by significant modernization ini ...
kingdom-wide. He became a ''
Somdet Chao Phraya'' — the highest rank a Siamese noble had attained during the
Rattanakosin Era, with honor equal to that of royalty. He was known colloquially as Somdet Chao Phraya Ong Yai (). He was also known as ''Chao Phraya'' Phraklang (), or Minister of Trade, and dominated Western affairs of Siam during the reign of
King Rama III
Nangklao (born Thap; 31 March 1788 – 2 April 1851), also known by his regnal name Rama III, was the third king of Siam from the Chakri dynasty, ruling from 21 July 1824 to 2 April 1851.
Nangklao was the eldest surviving son of King Rama II ...
. He held the post of ''Samuha Kalahom'' (), the Prime Minister of Southern Siam, from 1830 to 1855.
Life
Dit Bunnag was born in 1788 to Bunnag and ''Chao Kun'' Nuan (who was Queen
Amarindra
Amarindra (, , ; 15 March 1737 – 25 May 1826) was the queen consort of King Phutthayotfa Chulalok (Rama I), the founder of the Chakri dynasty. Her birth name was Nak (นาค). She was a daughter of a wealthy Mon from Bang Chang, in Samut ...
's sister) at his father's residence off the southern side of the
Grand Palace
The Grand Palace (, Royal Institute of Thailand. (2011). ''How to read and how to write.'' (20th Edition). Bangkok: Royal Institute of Thailand. . ) is a complex of buildings at the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. The palace has been the officia ...
Wall near modern
Wat Pho
Wat Pho (, ), also spelled Wat Po, is a Buddhism, Buddhist temple complex in the Phra Nakhon, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok, Thailand. It is on Rattanakosin Island, directly south of the Grand Palace, Bangkok, Grand Palace. Known also as the Temp ...
. His father, Bunnag, or ''Chao Phraya'' Akkamahasena (), had served as ''
Samuha Kalahom'' the Prime Minister of Southern Siam during the reign of King
Phutthayotfa Chulalok. Dit had an younger brother That who later became
Somdet Chao Phraya Phichaiyat. Prayurawongse was a member of
Bunnag family
The Bunnag Family or House of Bunnag (; ) is a Siamese noble family of Mon people, Mon-Persian people, Persian descent influential during the late Ayutthaya kingdom and early Rattanakosin period. The family was favored by Chakri dynasty, Chakri mo ...
who descended from
Sheikh Ahmad, a Persian minister during the reign of King
Prasat Thong
Prasat ThongThe Royal Institute. List of monarchs Ayutthaya''. (, ; c. 1599–1655; 1629–1655) was the first king of the Prasat Thong dynasty, the fourth dynasty of the Siamese Ayutthaya Kingdom. Before being king, he defeated a rebellion led ...
(His lineage had converted to
Theravada Buddhism
''Theravāda'' (; 'School of the Elders'; ) is Buddhism's oldest existing school. The school's adherents, termed ''Theravādins'' ( anglicized from Pali ''theravādī''), have preserved their version of the Buddha's teaching or '' Dhamma'' in ...
in mid-eighteenth century.).
Dit entered the palace as one of the royal pages - the traditional way to Siamese bureaucracy. He rose through ranks as one of the royal pages of King
Phutthaloetla Naphalai
Phutthaloetla Naphalai (born Chim; 24 February 1767 or 1768 – 21 July 1824), also known by his regnal name Rama II, was the second King of Siam from the Chakri dynasty, ruling from 1809 to 1824. In 1809, Itsarasunthon succeeded his father ...
. In 1818, the Grand Palace expanded south and the Bunnags moved to new residence on the West bank of
Chao Phraya River
The Chao Phraya River is the major river in Thailand, with its low alluvial plain forming the centre of the country. It flows through Bangkok and then into the Gulf of Thailand.
Etymology
Written evidence of the river being referred to by the ...
in the
Kudi Chin district. In 1819, Carlos Manoel de Silveira, Portuguese delegate from Macau, arrived in Bangkok and established first Western contact of Rattakosin period. Dit was in charge of the receiving Portuguese envoys.
Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Halim Shah II of
Kedah
Kedah (), also known by its honorific Darul Aman (Islam), Aman (دار الأمان; Arabic for 'The Safe Abode') and historically as Queda, is a States and federal territories of Malaysia, state of Malaysia, located in the northwestern part of ...
turned against Siamese domination culminating in
Siamese invasion of Kedah
The Siamese invasion of Kedah was a military operation mounted by the Rattanakosin Kingdom, Kingdom of Siam against the Sultanate of Kedah in November 1821, in the area of what is now northern Peninsular Malaysia.
Background
The Sultanate of ...
in 1821. Siamese forces took
Alor Setar
Alor Setar ( Kedah Malay: ) is the state capital of Kedah, Malaysia. It is the second-largest city in the state after Sungai Petani and one of the most-important cities on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It is home to the third-tallest ...
and Siam took direct control over Kedah. The British on the island of
Penang
Penang is a Malaysian state located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia along the Strait of Malacca. It has two parts: Penang Island, where the capital city, George Town, is located, and Seberang Perai on the Malay Peninsula. Th ...
, which had been leased by Kedah to the British in 1786, suspected the Siamese invasion of Penang.
Marquess of Hastings, the
Governor-General of India
The governor-general of India (1833 to 1950, from 1858 to 1947 the viceroy and governor-general of India, commonly shortened to viceroy of India) was the representative of the monarch of the United Kingdom in their capacity as the emperor o ...
, sent
John Crawfurd
John Crawfurd (13 August 1783 – 11 May 1868) was a British physician, colonial administrator, diplomat and writer who served as the second and last resident of Singapore.
Early life
He was born on Islay, in Argyll, Scotland, the son of Sam ...
to Bangkok in April 1821. Dit was assigned to deal with Crawfurd mission. Dit gave a place near his home in Thonburi for Crawfurd to reside. After the Crawfurd mission, Dit was made Chao Phraya Phraklang the Minister of Trade.
In November 1825,
Henry Burney arrived in Bangkok. Phraklang was one of three Siamese delegates who took part in the conclusion of
Burney Treaty
The treaty between Rattanakosin Kingdom, Kingdom of Siam and Great Britain commonly known as the Burney Treaty was signed at Bangkok on 20 June 1826 by Henry Burney, an agent of British East India Company, for Britain, and King Rama III for Thail ...
in June 1826.
In 1828, Phraklang commissioned the construction of Wat Prayurawongse in the Kudi Chin district. In 1830, King Rama III proposed to elevate Phraklang to the post of ''Samuha Kalahom''. Phraklang refused, saying that the holder of the title of Chao Phraya Mahasena usually "passed away prematurely". King Rama III then assigned the post of ''Samuha Kalahom'' to Phraklang without officially investing him with the title. Phraklang then became responsible in both ''Kalahom'' (Southern Siam) and the ''Kromma Tha'' Ministry of Trade.
In 1831, Tunku Kudin, nephew of Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Halim Shah II, staged a revolt in Kedah, took control of Alor Setar and was joined by
Patani
Pattani (or Patani in Malay spelling) may refer to:
Places Continental Asia
* Patani (historical region), a historical region in the Malay peninsula, in Thailand and Malaysia.
* Pattani Province, modern province in southern Thailand
** Pattani, ...
. King Rama III assigned Phraklang to put down rebellions in Kedah and Patani. Both sultans of
Kelantan
Kelantan (; Kelantan-Pattani Malay, Kelantanese Malay: ''Klate''; ) is a state in Malaysia. The capital, Kota Bharu, includes the royal seat of Kubang Kerian. The honorific, honorific name of the state is ''Darul Naim'' ("The Blissful Abode"). ...
and
Terengganu
Terengganu (; Terengganu Malay: ''Tranung'', formerly spelled Trengganu or Tringganu) is a sultanate and States and federal territories of Malaysia, federal state of Malaysia. The state is also known by its Arabic honorific, ''Dāru l-Iman (c ...
sent forces to support Patani. Phraklang arrived at
Songkhla
Songkhla (, ), also known as Singgora or Singora (Kelantan-Pattani Malay, Pattani Malay: ซิงกอรอ, Singoro), is a city (''thesaban nakhon'') in Songkhla Province of southern Thailand, near the border with Malaysia. Songkhla lies ...
in March 1832 and Chao Phraya
Nakhon Noi the governor of
Ligor had already taken Alor Setar so Phraklang went on to take Patani. Tuan Sulung the governor of Pattani fled to Kelantan. When Phraklang had pursued Tuan Sulung to Kelantan, Sultan
Muhammad I of Kelantan, who was a relative of Tuan Sulung, surrendered and gave Tuan Sulung to Siamese authority.
Edmund Roberts led an American mission to Bangkok in March 1833. Roberts handed the letters of President
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson (March 15, 1767 – June 8, 1845) was the seventh president of the United States from 1829 to 1837. Before Presidency of Andrew Jackson, his presidency, he rose to fame as a general in the U.S. Army and served in both houses ...
to Phraklang and took residence in Phraklang's estate in Thonburi. This led to the conclusion of
Siamese–American Treaty of Amity and Commerce in April.
During the
Siamese-Vietnamese Wars, in 1833, Phraklang led the Siamese fleet with the aim to attack
Saigon
Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) ('','' TP.HCM; ), commonly known as Saigon (; ), is the most populous city in Vietnam with a population of around 14 million in 2025.
The city's geography is defined by rivers and canals, of which the largest is Saigo ...
. Phraklang quickly took
Hà Tiên
Hà Tiên is a Provincial city (Vietnam), provincial city in Kiên Giang Province, Mekong Delta in Vietnam. Its area is and the population as of 2019 is 81,576. The city borders Cambodia to the west. Hà Tiên is a tourist site of the region th ...
and proceeded through
Vĩnh Tế Canal to take
Châu Đốc. Phraklang was joined at Châu Đốc by Chao Phraya
Bodindecha
''Chao Phraya'' Bodindecha (, , 13 January 1776 – 24 June 1849), personal name Sing Sinhaseni (), was a prominent military figure of the early Rattanakosin Kingdom period during the reign of King Rama III. Bodindecha hold the post of ''Samuh ...
who led land armies. Both Phraklang and Bodindecha marched along the
Bassac River towards Saigon and met Vietnamese fleet at Vàm Nao. During the battle of Vàm Nao, the Siamese fleet refused to engage with Vietnamese vessels, even though Phraklang himself had personally boarded a small boat to urge his fleet to attack. Phraklang and the Siamese fleet retreated to Châu Đốc, Hà Tiên and eventually to
Chantaburi.
In March 1847, the
Teochew societies, known as ''Tōa Hia'', of
Samut Sakhon rose in rebellion and kill one of the royal guards. Phraklang and his son Kham marched royal guard regiment to subjugate the Chinese at Samut Sakhon. Next month in April, another Teochew insurrection occurred at
Chachoengsao
Chachoengsao (, ) is a town ('' thesaban mueang'') in central Thailand, capital of Chachoengsao Province. It is on the banks of the Bang Pakong River. It includes ''tambon'' Na Mueang and parts of Ban Mai, Bang Tin Pet, Wang Takhian, and Sothon ...
and the governor of Chachoengsao was killed. Phraklang then had his son Kham guarded Samut Sakhon and himself led another force to put down the Chinese rebellion in Chachoengsao with his another son Chuang. Phraklang met Bodindecha, who had been returning from Cambodia, again at Chachoengsao. After the rebellions had been over, they both returned to Bangkok.

With the demise of Chao Phraya Bodindecha in 1849, Phraklang became the most powerful political figure in court. Phraklang had played a great role in the ascension of King
Mongkut
Mongkut (18 October 18041 October 1868) was the fourth Monarchy of Thailand, king of Siam from the Chakri dynasty, titled Rama IV. He reigned from 1851 until his death in 1868.
The reign of Mongkut was marked by significant modernization ini ...
. In 1851, King Mongkut bestowed Phraklang with the title of ''Somdet'' Chao Phraya Borom Maha Prayurawongse and became Mongkut's regent kingdom-wide along with his brother
Phraya Sripipat (That Bunnag) who became
Somdet Chao Phraya Borom Maha Phichaiyat and Mongkut's regent in Bangkok. Prayurawongse's honor was equal to that of a prince. Prayurawongse was granted the right to use the ''Solar-charioteer Seal'' () To distinguish him from his brother, Prayurawongse was known colloquially as "Somdet Chao Phraya Ong Yai" ( "The Elder ''Somdet Chao Phraya''") while his brother was called the "Somdet Chao Phraya Ong Noi" ( "The Younger ''Somdet Chao Phraya''").
During the reign of King Mongkut, Prayurawongse officially held the post of both ''Samuha Kalahom'' and ''Kromma Tha''. However, the ''de facto'' duties were already distributed to his sons. His son Chuang, who was made Chao Phraya Sri Suriyawongse (later
Somdet Chao Phraya Sri Suriyawongse), was the deputy of ''Kalahom''. His another son Kham was deputy of ''Kromma Tha'' (he was later made
''Chao Phraya'' Thipakornwongse) the Ministry of Trade. Prayurawongse was one of the
plenipotentiaries during the negotiation of the
Bowring Treaty
The Bowring Treaty was a treaty signed between the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Siam on 18 April 1855. The treaty had the primary effect of liberalising foreign trade in Siam, and was signed by five Siamese plenipotentiaries (amongst them ...
in April 1855. Bowring had demanded
free trade
Free trade is a trade policy that does not restrict imports or exports. In government, free trade is predominantly advocated by political parties that hold Economic liberalism, economically liberal positions, while economic nationalist politica ...
and to end the monopoly of Siamese royal court in Western trade. The Bowring Treaty was concluded and free trade was established.
A month after the Bowring Treaty, Prayurawongse died at his residence near Wat Prayurawongse in modern Thonburi District on 26 April 1855, aged 67. His funeral and cremation were held in the manner and ceremonies of royalty at Wat Prayurawongse in October 1855. His sons and descendants continued to dominate Siamese politics in the later part of nineteenth century.
Family and descendants
Prayurawongse had many wives, in accordance to contemporary social practices. His main wife was Lady Chan who was a daughter of ''Phraya'' Pollathep Thongin. Princess Praphaiwadi (daughter of King Rama I and sister to King Rama II) had given two of her ladies-in-waitings Lady Rod and Lady Inyai to be Prayurawongse's wives. Queen
Sri Suriyendra
Sri Suriyendra (, , ; 1767–1836) was the queen of Siam, wife of Phutthaloetla Naphalai, who was her cousin, and mother of Mongkut and Pinklao. She was later named, upon the coronation of her son Mongkut, as ''Krom Somdet'' Phra Sri Suriyendrama ...
had given Lady Peung to be his wife. He had total of twenty-four wives and forty-four children. His notable sons included;
* Chuang Bunnag, born to Lady Chan, later became
Somdet Chao Phraya Sri Suriyawongse (1808 - 1882). Succeeded his father as ''Samuha Kalahom'' in 1855. Became the Regent during the minority of King
Chulalongkorn
Chulalongkorn (20 September 1853 – 23 October 1910), posthumously honoured as King Chulalongkorn the Great, was the fifth king of Siam from the Chakri dynasty, titled Rama V. Chulalongkorn's reign from 1868 until his death in 1910 was cha ...
from 1868 to 1873. A major historical figure.
* Kham Bunnag, born to Lady Rod, later became
Chao Phraya Thipakornwongse (1813 - 1870). Succeeded his father as the Minister of Trade (''Kromma Tha'') in 1855.
* Chum Bunnag, born to Lady Chan, later became Phraya Montri Suriyawongse (1820 - 1866). Leader of Siamese mission to
London
London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...
in 1857.
* Tuam Bunnag, born to Lady Peung, later became Chao Phraya Panuwongse (1830 - 1913). Succeeded his brother Thipakornwongse as the Minister of ''Kromma Tha'' in 1869. Became the first
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In many countries, the ministry of foreign affairs (abbreviated as MFA or MOFA) is the highest government department exclusively or primarily responsible for the state's foreign policy and foreign relations, relations, diplomacy, bilateralism, ...
of Siam in 1875.
*
Porn Bunnag, born to Lady In, later became Chao Phraya Phatsakorawong (1849 - 1920). First
Minister of Agriculture from 1892 to 1894. First
Minister of Education
An education minister (sometimes minister of education) is a position in the governments of some countries responsible for dealing with educational matters. Where known, the government department, ministry, or agency that develops policy and deli ...
from 1892 to 1902.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Prayurawongse
Chaophraya
Bunnag family
Thai people of Iranian descent
1788 births
1855 deaths
Ministers of defence of Thailand
Samuhakalahom
19th-century regents