Intharachathirat (In)

Life

Intharacha, originally named Nakhon In, was born in 1359. Jeremias Van Vliet's chronicle states that he was the son of the younger brother of Borommarachathirat I and the elder brother of Thong Lan. His mother was of the Phra Ruang dynasty of the Sukhothai Kingdom.

The Luang Prasert Aksornnit edition of the Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya states that he ruled Suphan Buri until a conflict arose between King Ramrachathirat and the minister Chao Phraya Maha Senabodi. The minister fled to Suphan Buri to pledge allegiance to Intharacha and invited him to seize the throne of Ayutthaya. When Intharacha arrived, the minister seized the city and invited him to ascend the throne at the age of 50. Ramrachathirat was then sent to rule Phatha Khu Cham instead.

King Intharacha fell ill and died in 1424. The Phan Chantanumat (Choem) chronicle states he reigned for 15 years, while Van Vliet's chronicle records 20 years. Following his death, his two eldest sons, Chao Ai Phraya and Chao Yi Phraya, marched their armies to Ayutthaya to claim the throne. They engaged in elephant combat at Pa Than Bridge, resulting in the death of both princes. Consequently, the third son, Chao Sam Phraya, ascended the throne as King Borommarachathirat II.

Royal Duties

Administration

In 1419, when Maha Thammaracha III of Sukhothai died, turmoil erupted in the Northern Cities due to a succession struggle between Phraya Ban Mueang and Phraya Ram, the sons of Maha Thammaracha III. King Intharacha marched his army to Phra Bang (modern-day Nakhon Sawan). Both Phraya Ban Mueang and Phraya Ram came out to pay homage.

Upon returning to Ayutthaya, the King appointed his sons to rule the Luk Luang (princely) cities:

• Chao Ai Phraya ruled Suphan Buri.
• Chao Yi Phraya ruled Phraek Si Racha (Mueang San, within modern Sankhaburi district, Chai Nat province).
• Chao Sam Phraya ruled Chainat (believed to be Phitsanulok), a major northern frontier city.

Furthermore, he requested a princess of Sukhothai, Phra Ratchathewi, to marry his youngest son, Chao Sam Phraya. Their union later produced King Borommatrailokkanat.

Foreign Relations

Nakhon In visited Nanjing, China, twice—once in 1371 and again in 1377—while he was still the heir of Suphan Buri, during the reign of the Hongwu Emperor of the Ming dynasty.

The Jianwen Emperor of the Ming dynasty maintained close relations with him, praising him as the only king to have personally visited the Chinese imperial court. Chinese records refer to him as "Jiao Lu Qun Ying" (Chinese transcription of Chao Nakhon In).

After ascending the throne following the conflict with Ramrachathirat, Intharacha and the Chinese emperor exchanged envoys multiple times to strengthen diplomatic ties. Chinese chronicles refer to him after his accession as "Jiao Lu Qun Ying Dao Luo Ti La," derived from the title Chao Nakhon Intharathirat.

Legacy

The reign of King Intharacha left a profound impact on the long-term stability and regional dominance of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. His primary legacy lies in the decisive consolidation of power for the Suphannaphum Dynasty, effectively ending the political rivalry with the Uthong Dynasty and initiating a long period of dynastic stability. Economically, he leveraged his exceptional personal rapport with the Ming imperial court to elevate Ayutthaya into a premier maritime trading hub, ushering in an era of immense wealth through the tributary system. Furthermore, his strategic expansion of influence over the Sukhothai Kingdom. The cultural and artistic sophistication of his era is most visibly preserved in the architecture and the vast treasures of Wat Ratchaburana, which serve as a testament to the kingdom's prosperity and the flourishing of early Ayutthaya art.

Ancestry

References

; Bibliography

References

1. ''Directory of Thai Kings'' (นามานุกรมพระมหากษัตริย์ไทย), p. 64
2. ''The Short History of the Kings of Siam by Jeremias Van Vliet'', p. 30
3. ''Politics in History: Sukhothai-Ayutthaya Era'', p. 65
4. ''Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya: Phan Chantanumat (Choem) Edition'', p. 394
5. ''Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya: Phan Chantanumat (Choem) Edition'', p. 50
6. "On the 22nd day of the 9th month, 4th year of the Hongwu era... The King of Siam sent an envoy named Zhao Yan Gu Man (Chao In Kumara)..."
7. Ming Shilu - Qing Shilu
8. [https://www.silpa-mag.com/history/article_10473 Did Ram Khamhaeng go to China?], Silpa-Mag. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
9. Silpa Wattanatham Editorial Team. (May 26, 2024). "ความสัมพันธ์ “เจ้านครอินทร์” กับราชสำนักจีน หนุนวงศ์สุพรรณครองอยุธยา [The Relationship between "Chao Nakhon In" and the Chinese Court: Supporting the Suphannaphum Dynasty's Rule over Ayutthaya]".