King Ekathotsarot’s Letter, seventeenth century.

           The survival of a Thai government letter dating from the seventeenth  century is very rare. Some of the text of this letter is lost due to torn parts of the paper. But enough survives for us to piexetohether its contents. Although the leter refers many times to the King by the name Ekathotsarot (who ruled from 1605 to 1611), the same name was also used by later kings of Ayutthaya and it is likely that this letter drtes from later in the century.

          It concerns foreigners in Ayutthaya, specifically the Portuguese (called in old Thai pratukan) and a foreign ship’s captain named Kapitan ‘Malaweriben’. A number of Thai officials are mentionrf, Phraya Itsareha, LuangSamutsamaitri, and the ‘harbour master’ caonamcaotha).

           

            The letter spells our some of the terms and conditions under which the foreigners may trade and enjoy the protection of the king within a designated trading area (khanthasima) at Ayutthaya. 

King Songtham’s speech, translated into English and sent to Mr. Fursland at Batavia in Java, in 1622

The Siamese king addresses his brother the ‘greatt and famous King off England, my brother’ via Mr Fursland, whom he takes to be ‘General Commander of His Majesty’s people in  these parts’ He has translated the speech through his vice-king Chaophraya Phrakhlang who wrote down his words.

             King Songtham writes in very friendly terms, confirming his willingness to allow the English to settle and trade in Siam, and to aid them in their enterprises. The second part of the letter tells of the disobedience of the King of Cambodia, and asks the English to refrain from trading with Cambodia until he submits to Ayutthaya. Finally, the gifts to Fursland are listed – gold cups, various boxes, a knife, a spoon, and a crown, with a record of their gold weights