Chai (king of Ayutthaya)

Chai, also known as King Chai or King Chaithat, ruled the Ayutthaya Kingdom (Siam) from 1546 to 1548. His reign was short and marked by instability and political intrigue. He ascended the throne after the death of his father, King Phra Yotfa.

Chai's rule was characterized by the influence of his maternal relatives, particularly his mother, Sri Sudachan (also known as Lady Sudachan). She wielded considerable power and ultimately played a pivotal role in his downfall.

According to historical accounts, Sri Sudachan engaged in an affair with a commoner named Phan Boot Sri Thep. To legitimize their relationship and secure the throne for their future child, they conspired to assassinate King Chai.

In 1548, King Chai was poisoned. Following his death, Sri Sudachan installed Phan Boot Sri Thep as King Worawongsathirat. This usurpation of the throne sparked outrage among the Ayutthayan nobility and ultimately led to the overthrow of Worawongsathirat and Sri Sudachan, and the ascension of King Maha Chakkraphat to the throne.

King Chai's brief reign is thus remembered as a turbulent period in Ayutthayan history, overshadowed by the machinations of his mother and the subsequent succession crisis. His reign highlights the vulnerabilities of the monarchy to internal power struggles and the influence of courtly intrigues.