Glitter Cannon

State revenues regular and peace has enabled the cultivation of flowers as never before, and Narai's reign was remembered for establishing friendly relations with Europeans making Ayutthaya's most cosmopolitan cities.

contemporary records represent foreign capital of the island a great walled city about 10 kilometers in circumference, containing hundreds of shiny, golden temples, arrows and impressive images of Buddha in gold. Of the more than 50 km of waterways slipped ornately carved royal barges, the Arab dhows, Chinese junks, ocean schooners, barks and less European boatmen transporting goods to and from all corners of the kingdom. There were also small vessels that could negotiate a maze of narrow channels and be secured doors of houses outside. The 40 city kilometers of roads were still alive with astute traders, artisans, clergymen calm, noble-men, soldiers, cavalry and war elephants caparisoned ornamented beams of Bejeweled. Some 17 guns for massive braid-protected the city against potential invaders Island.

Initially, Ayutthaya harmonious relationship with strangers but after King Narai had felt obliged to limit the Dutch influence, which became strong concern, especially after the Dutch gunboat diplomacy forced to sign a treaty unfavorable trade in 1664. Frustrated by the reluctance of English to lend military support to counter the hostility Dutch Narai sought help from France in 1664 and helped establish their own French missionary church. Narai relations with the French community grew increasingly cordial Ayutthaya after receiving a letter from Louis XIV, referring to possible military assistance.

At that time, a colorful Greek adventurer Constantine Phaulkon, began to assume a central role in Thai politics. A talented linguist, fluent in Greek, Portuguese, French, English, Malay and Thai Phaulkon was first employed as an interpreter by the Treasury on the recommendation of Thai previous employers, the English East India Company, which was concerned improve its relations with the Court of Narai. Familiar with the cunning of local and foreign merchants, Phaulkon had performed his duties with panache, revealing flaws and closing up the gaping area of customs and collecting duties earning himself the rapid promotion as a noble Thai.

Finally, is doing well in the good graces of Narai, Phaulkon, a convert to Catholicism and gladly helped the French to establish a close relationship with Ayutthaya. Never interested in helping Narai against the Dutch, the French had misinterpreted religious tolerance Narai as a pro-Christian and naively expected to convert to Christianity in Thailand.

Narai sent an embassy to France in 1681 to emphasize its desire friendly relations. After stopping in Mauritius for water, the ship carrying the embassy has disappeared, probably be sunk by violent storms or dismissed and scuttled by pirates. In 1684, perhaps at the suggestion of Mr Constance, Narai sent a second embassy to Versailles accompanied by the first Thai students to Europe. Louis XN Narai responded to the initiative by sending the first French embassy, headed by a religious fanatic and very personal with the missionaries to Thailand in 1685.

Subsequently, facing the French prevarication and procrastination, Narai grew suspicious of French motives, while the Thai nobility increasingly resented Phaul influence over the king-kon. The fear of French domination but remained silent when the rumor spread that Narai intention to appoint his adopted son, Prince Piya, a convert to Catholicism, as his successor, the situation became explosive.

Therefore, in 1688, when the king fell gravely ill in his palace, Lopburi, a conspiracy pa-lace emerged. Phaulkon was arrested for treason and executed. Prince Piya was murdered. The ENG.