PHETRACHA

born 1633? died 1703, Ayutthaya, [Thailand] also spelled Bedraja, or Petracha, also called P'ra P'etraja king of the Thai kingdom of Ayutthaya (1688-1703) whose policies reduced European trade and influence in the country and helped preserve its independence. Phetracha was the foster brother of King Narai, whose patronage helped him rise to become head of the Elephant Department and a leading general in the kingdom. He led the coup that toppled the Greek adventurer Constantine Phaulkon from ministerial office and expelled a French expeditionary force from Thailand in 1688. In that year he seized the throne himself and determined to drastically reduce foreign power and influence. To this end he persecuted Christians and harassed Western traders, while encouraging more easily controlled Asian traders. Phetracha's 15-year reign saw frequent revolts. His reorganization of his country's civil and military administration was overshadowed by his authoritarianism and by the intemperance, cruelty, and depravity that reportedly characterized his military ventures. His equally tyrannical son, King Sua, "Tiger," succeeded him.