Constantine Phaucon: Greek adventurer, Siamese minister, Roman Catholic zealot
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Constantine Phaulcon (1647-1688) was a Greek adventurer who became for short time, the most influential man in Siam barring the king. He arrived in Ayutthaya in 1678 with the English East India Company, learnt Thai and became an interpreter in the court. By 1682 he had worked his way up though the bureaucracy to become the Mahatthai, the most senior position. But it was also at this time that, in retrospect, he sealed his fate. Phaulcon acted as interpreter for a French mission led by Mgr Pallu. An avid Roman Catholic, having recently been converted by Jesuit priests, Phaulcon was enthralled by the idea of converting King Narai and his subject to Christianity. He discussed with Narai – who was the King’s most trusted adviser – the superiority of Roman Catholicism versus Buddhism, and seemed to be representing the interests of the French in negotiations, rather than those of Siam. Phaulcon made many enemies among powerful Siamese, who doubted his integrity and his intentions. By 1688, Phaulcon’s activities were becoming increasingly unacceptable, and he was also linked by association with the excesses of French and British troops, with the proselytizing of priests, and with the effect that foreign traders were having upon the interests of local businessmen. A plot was hatched to kill the foreigner on the king’s death. In march 1688, when Narai fell seriously ill, Phra Phetracha – a claimant for the throne – had Phaulcon arrested , tried and convicted for treason, and then executed on 5th of June.
