Phraya Taksin

King of Thailand (reigned 1767-82). Born in Ayutthaya to a Thai mother and a Teochew Chinese father who was a tax collector. Recognized for his intelligence from an early age, he was adopted by a high-ranking official. As he grew older, he entered the government and was appointed ruler of Tak (western Thailand). In 1767, just before Ayutthaya was attacked and felled by the Burmese Expeditionary Force, he went to the southeastern coastal region of the Gulf of Thailand to reorganize his forces, then headed north again to drive out the Burmese (now Myanmar) occupying forces and restore Thai independence. After ascending to the throne, Taksin established Thonburi as the new capital, and for 15 years he personally led troops around the country to restore order within the country, but in 1782, a coup d'état was held due to the king's madness, and he was executed, bringing an end to the Thonburi dynasty in one generation.

[Yoneo Ishii]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

タイ国王（在位1767～82）。徴税請負人であった潮州華僑(かきょう)を父とし、タイ人を母としてアユタヤに生まれた。幼いころから利発さを認められ、高官の養子となる。長じて官途につき、ターク（タイ西部）の国主に任じられた。1767年、アユタヤがビルマ遠征軍の攻撃を受け陥落する直前、彼は南東部のタイランド湾沿岸地方へ赴き、兵力をたて直すと、ふたたび北上してビルマ（現ミャンマー）占領軍を駆逐、タイの独立を回復した。王位についたタークシンは新たにトンブリーを王都に定め、15年にわたり自ら各地に兵を進めて国内秩序の回復に努めたが、1782年、王の乱心を理由とするクーデターが発生して処刑され、トンブリー朝は一代で滅びた。

［石井米雄］

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