Worawongsathirat

Who was Worawongsathirat?

Khun Worawongsathirat was a usurper in the Ayutthaya Kingdom, ruling for only 42 days in 1548 before being assassinated. Siamese chronicles relate that Worawongsathirat attainted the crown — his kingship is not accepted by most traditional historians.

His birth-name was "Bun Si", and he was a Brahmin. Upon entering service to the crown as keeper of Ho Phra Thep Bidon, a cloister on the palace grounds Bun Si was then styled Phan But Si Thep. He was later promoted to the rank of Khun and styled Khun Chinnarat; this was perhaps even as he was having an adulterous affair with Si Suda Chan, a first-class concubine of King Chairachathirat.

Si Suda Chan was not a real name of a person, it was the title of one of the four first-class concubines, which were Insuren, Si Suda Chan, Inthrathewi and Si Chula Lak. The real name of King Chairachathirat's consort was not mentioned in the history.

King Chairachathirat died in 1546, possibly poisoned by her hand. Their young son, Phra Kaewfa, ascended the throne as King Yot Fa with his mother as regent.