1688 Siamese Coup

Timeline

1. 1688Lopburi · ThailandNarai's condition worsened in Lopburi; the Greek chief minister Phaulkon was close to French officers and missionaries and favored the king's adopted son Phra Piya as heir. Elephant commander Phetracha allied with court nobles, both lay and clerical, accusing foreign ministers of usurping power and French garrisons in Bangkok and Mergui of threatening royal authority; conditions for a coup matured.
2. 1688Lopburi palace · ThailandPhetracha led troops to seize the Lopburi palace, placed the ailing Narai under house arrest, arrested Phaulkon, and eliminated pro-French succession candidates. Phaulkon was executed on June 5, France's network of agents in the Siamese court collapsed, and the coup faction took real power.
3. 1688Bangkok fortress · ThailandNarai died on July 11; Phetracha acceded and married Narai's daughter to consolidate legitimacy. Siamese forces besieged the French fortress in Bangkok (Thonburi); after negotiations Desfarges' troops withdrew to India in autumn and winter. Catholic missionary work was set back, and Ayutthaya's foreign policy shifted from Narai's pro-French openness to restricting European garrisons and missions.