A Study of the Royal Chronicle of Thonburi : the Economic Success in the reign of King Taksin

Abstract

This article aims to study the Royal Chronicle of Thonburi : Phan Chan Dhanu Mas (Cherm) as a historical document which reflects the economic opportunities in the reign of King Taksin on the Thonburi period. As one may expect, the Siamese royal chronicles mention only royal duties or activities which are the war, the administration, and the religious principles, there is less mention about economic affairs directly. Therefore, studying this chronicle to understand the economic opportunities during the Thonburi period helps to expand our historical perspectives and realize the existence of benefit groups, which emerged from the economic growth during the hard times of the Thonburi period. The economic growth brought about chaos at the end of King Taksin's reign because he could not retain the wealth and power apart from himself and his court.

   The results show that eventhough the Thonburi Royal Chronicle does not clearly mention the King's economic activities, his other activities mentioned in the chronicle reflect the opportunities of opulence until the end of King Taksin's reign.