Narai the Great

Narai became king of Ayutthaya after a coup against his uncle, King Si Suthammaracha. His reign marked a shift toward cosmopolitanism and foreign trade.

Narai developed Lopburi as a second royal capital, building a palace and European-style buildings. The city became a center for foreign diplomats and traders, reflecting Narai's cosmopolitan policies.

Narai welcomed the first French embassy led by Chevalier de Chaumont at his court in Ayutthaya. The embassy sought to convert Narai to Catholicism and establish trade ties, leading to a Franco-Siamese alliance.

Narai dispatched a Siamese diplomatic mission to the court of King Louis XIV at Versailles. The embassy, led by Kosa Pan, was a major event in Franco-Siamese relations and showcased Siamese culture in Europe.

During Narai's final illness, French troops in Bangkok and Mergui were besieged by Siamese forces loyal to Phetracha. The siege ended French military influence in Siam and led to the expulsion of French garrisons.