Uthumphon
Encyclopedia
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Chao Uthomphon Mahaphon Phinit was the 32nd and penultimate monarch of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, ruling in 1758 for about two months. Facing various throne claimants, Uthumphon was finally forced to abdicate and enter monkhood. For his preference of being a monk to keep the throne, earned him the epithet "Khun Luang Ha Wat" , or "the king who prefers the temple".
Prince Dok Duea or Prince Uthumphon—"Dok Duea" (ดอกเดื่อ) and "Uthmphon" (อุทุมพร) are under the same meaning, "fig"
—was a son of Borommakot. In 1746, his elder brother, Prince Thammathibet who had been appointed as the Front Palace
, was beaten to death for his affair with one of Borommakot's concubines. Borommakot didn't appoint the new Front Palace as Kromm Khun Anurak Montri or Ekkathat
, the next in succession line, was proved to be incompetent. In 1757, Borommakot finally decided to skip Anurak Montri altogether and made Uthumphon the Front Palace—becoming Kromma Khun Phon Phinit.
In 1758, upon the passing of Borommakot, Uthumphon was crowned. However, he faced oppositions from his three half-brothers, namely, Kromma Meun Chit Sunthon, Kromma Meun Sunthon Thep, and Kromma Meun Sep Phakdi. Uthumphon then reconciled with his half-brothers and took the throne peacefully.
Ekkathat, who had become a monk, decided to made himself a king only two months after Uthumphon's coronation. The three half-brothers resented and fought Ekkathat, and they were executed by Ekkathat. Uthumporn then gave up his throne to his brother and leave for the temple outside Ayutthaya so as to become a monk.
In 1760, Alaungpaya
of Burma led his armies invading Ayutthaya. Uthumphon was asked to leave monkhood to fight against the Burmese. However, Alongpaya died during the campaigns and the invasion suspended. Uthumphon, once again, returned to monkhood.
The Burmese, however, came back in 1767 under the commission of Hsinbyushin
and led by Neimyo Thihapate
. Ayutthaya under Ekkathat was in turmoil, without authorities or powers to counter the Burmese invaders. Though he was strongly urged to take role in leading Siamese armies, Uthumphon chose to stay in the monk status. Ayutthaya finally fell. Uthumphon was captured by the Burmese forces and was brought to Burma along with a large number of Ayutthaya's people.
Uthumphon was grounded near Ava
, along with other Ayutthaya ex-nobles, where he was forced by the Burmese to give them knowledge about the history and court customs of Ayutthaya—preserved in the Ayutthayan affidavit. Hsinbyushin built a village near Mandalay
for Uthumphon and his Siamese people—who then became the Yodia people. In accordance with Burmese chronicles, Uthumphon, as a monk, died in 1796 in the village.
Prince Dok Duea or Prince Uthumphon—"Dok Duea" (ดอกเดื่อ) and "Uthmphon" (อุทุมพร) are under the same meaning, "fig"
Common fig
The Common fig is a deciduous tree growing to heights of up to 6 m in the genus Ficus from the family Moraceae known as Common fig tree. It is a temperate species native to the Middle East.-Description:...
—was a son of Borommakot. In 1746, his elder brother, Prince Thammathibet who had been appointed as the Front Palace
Front Palace
Krom Phra Rajawang Bovorn Sathan Mongkol ) or the Front Palace was a royal title granted by the Siamese monarchy until the nineteenth century. The holder of the title of Front Palace was considered the heir to the throne and second only to the King. The title originated in the Ayutthaya period and...
, was beaten to death for his affair with one of Borommakot's concubines. Borommakot didn't appoint the new Front Palace as Kromm Khun Anurak Montri or Ekkathat
Ekkathat
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Borommaracha Kasat Bowon Sucharit , Somdet Phra Chao Yu Hua Phra Thi Nang Suriyat Amarin or Somdet Phra Chao Ekkathat was the 33rd and last monarch of Ayutthaya Kingdom, ruling from 1758 to 1767 prior to the fall of the kingdom. The name "Ekkathat" means the one with only one...
, the next in succession line, was proved to be incompetent. In 1757, Borommakot finally decided to skip Anurak Montri altogether and made Uthumphon the Front Palace—becoming Kromma Khun Phon Phinit.
In 1758, upon the passing of Borommakot, Uthumphon was crowned. However, he faced oppositions from his three half-brothers, namely, Kromma Meun Chit Sunthon, Kromma Meun Sunthon Thep, and Kromma Meun Sep Phakdi. Uthumphon then reconciled with his half-brothers and took the throne peacefully.
Ekkathat, who had become a monk, decided to made himself a king only two months after Uthumphon's coronation. The three half-brothers resented and fought Ekkathat, and they were executed by Ekkathat. Uthumporn then gave up his throne to his brother and leave for the temple outside Ayutthaya so as to become a monk.
In 1760, Alaungpaya
Alaungpaya
Alaungpaya was king of Burma from 1752 to 1760, and the founder of the Konbaung Dynasty. By his death in 1760, the former chief of a small village in Upper Burma had reunified all of Burma, subdued Manipur, recovered Lan Na, and driven out the French and the English who had given help to the...
of Burma led his armies invading Ayutthaya. Uthumphon was asked to leave monkhood to fight against the Burmese. However, Alongpaya died during the campaigns and the invasion suspended. Uthumphon, once again, returned to monkhood.
The Burmese, however, came back in 1767 under the commission of Hsinbyushin
Hsinbyushin
Hsinbyushin was king of the Konbaung dynasty of Burma from 1763 to 1776. The second son of the dynasty founder Alaungpaya is best known for his wars with China and Siam, and is considered the most militaristic king of the dynasty. His successful defense against four Chinese invasions preserved...
and led by Neimyo Thihapate
Ne Myo Thihapate
Ne Myo Thihapate was a general in the Royal Burmese Army of Konbaung Dynasty of Burma . The general is best known for conquering the Ayutthaya Kingdom, along with Gen. Maha Nawrahta, in April 1767.-Career:...
. Ayutthaya under Ekkathat was in turmoil, without authorities or powers to counter the Burmese invaders. Though he was strongly urged to take role in leading Siamese armies, Uthumphon chose to stay in the monk status. Ayutthaya finally fell. Uthumphon was captured by the Burmese forces and was brought to Burma along with a large number of Ayutthaya's people.
Uthumphon was grounded near Ava
Ava
Innwa is a city in the Mandalay Division of Burma , situated just to the south of Amarapura on the Ayeyarwady River. Its formal title is Ratanapura , which means City of Gems in Pali. The name Innwa means mouth of the lake, which comes from in , meaning lake, and wa , which means mouth...
, along with other Ayutthaya ex-nobles, where he was forced by the Burmese to give them knowledge about the history and court customs of Ayutthaya—preserved in the Ayutthayan affidavit. Hsinbyushin built a village near Mandalay
Mandalay
Mandalay is the second-largest city and the last royal capital of Burma. Located north of Yangon on the east bank of the Irrawaddy River, the city has a population of one million, and is the capital of Mandalay Region ....
for Uthumphon and his Siamese people—who then became the Yodia people. In accordance with Burmese chronicles, Uthumphon, as a monk, died in 1796 in the village.