Page 226 - A History of Siam

212 A HISTORT OF SIAM

himself in the Burmese war and won more laurels in
a later expedition against Cambodia.* P'ra P'etraja
was a man of humble 1 He
origin. had, however, always
been a favourite with King Narai. They had always
been for P'ra like was one
together, P'etraja, P'ya Kosa,
of the King's foster-brothers.
P'ra but he was
P'etraja was a man of small stature,
known to be brave and He had a
energetic. commanding
and was well fitted to take command of the
presence,
He hated Nai
popular party. Phaulkon, and his son,
Diia, who had recently been appointed Luang Sarasak,
a violent and aggressive young man, is said to have on
one occasion assaulted the Greek and knocked out two
of his teeth.
In March 1688 King Narai became seriously ill with
His were such as to render it
dropsy. symptoms unlikely
that he would live for more than a few months. Im-
mediately there began the usual intrigues as to the
succession. The King had two brothers and a sister
The elder of his brothers was called Chao Fa
living.
Ap'ai T'ot, and the younger is known to us by the nick-
name of Chao Fa Noi. Both of them were out
greatly
of favour. He had also a Princess Yot'a
daughter,
Phaulkon had some time before advised
T'ep. King
Narai to his but the
proclaim daughter as his heir, King
had refused. The Greek now the to
urged King appoint
his P'ra as his successor. P'ra
adopted son, Pia, P'etraja
or to the claims of Prince
supported, professed support,
T'ot.
Ap'ai
From
'This expedition to Cambodia is not mentioned in Siamese history.
\ disputed by Nak Non. The latter was defeated by 1
and fled to Cochin-China.
Some writers say that he was a relative of King Narai. This may be true,
as King P'rasat T'ong doubtless had plenty of relatives in more or less humble
positions.