Importance and Role of "Kosathibodi", Minister of the Department of Treasury in Politics in the Ayutthaya Period

Based on the Tree Seals Code

Abstract

The Department of Treasury (Krom Phra Khlang) was one of the four major departments in the administration of the capital of Ayutthaya Kingdom. The political organization of the Kingdom, since the reign of King Uthong or Ramathibodi I was presumed by H.R.H. Prince Damrong Rajanubhab to be of Khmer heritage, which was in turn of Indian origin. The organization comprised the capital, inner provincial cities (princely cities), outer provincial cities (lordly cities), and tributary states. For the civil administration of the capital, four departments were established : the Department of Local Government (Krom Wiang), the Department of Royal Household (Krom Wang), the Department of Treasury (Krom Khlang), and the Department of Agriculture (Krom Na). All of these four departments is known collectively as the Four Columns. Generally the Department of Treasury and its minister known by a title of "Kosathibodi", was responsible for the kingdom's finance, taxation and adjudication in matters of royal properties. However, the study of the Three Seals Code and other documents revealed that the Department played a role not only in the kingdom's finance but also in its politics.