Maha Senanurak

Somdet Phra Bawornrajchao Maha Senanurak (Thai: สมเด็จพระบวรราชเจ้ามหาเสนานุรักษ์; March 29, 1773 – July 16, 1817) was the Vice King appointed by Buddha Loetla Nabhalai as the titular heir to the throne as he was the brother to the king. Maha Senanurak was known for his leadership of Siamese campaign against Burmese invasion of Thalang (modern Phuket) in 1809.

Life

Chui was born to Chao Phraya Chakri (future King Phutthayotfa Chulalok or Rama I) and his wife Nak (future Queen Amarindra) in 1773. In 1782, Chao Phraya Chakri crowned himself as the first monarch of the Chakri dynasty of Siam at Bangkok. Chui was then made a prince. He was later awarded the title Krom Khun Senanurak. Prince Senanurak was known to be close to his only true brother Prince and Front Palace Isarasundhorn (future Buddha Loetla Nabhalai or Rama II).^[1] In 1807 Prince Isarasundhorn made his brother Prince Senanurak as his Successor to the Front Palace (Thai: พระบัณฑูรน้อย). In 1809, King Phutthayotfa Chulalok died, as a result the Front Palace Isarasundhorn ascended the throne as King. The new King appointed Prince Senanurak as the next the Front Palace and Vice King, and also as his successor.

Counter the Burmese invasions

Soon after in 1809, King Bodawpaya of Burma sent his troops to invade Thalang (modern Phuket.) Buddha Loetla Nabhalai sent Maha Senanurak to counter this last Burmese invasion of Siam. Around the same time Prince Kasatranuchit, a son of King Taksin of Thonburi and his sister Princess Chimyai, staged a rebellion to reclaim the throne. The rebellion was quickly suppressed by Prince Jessadabodindra (future King Rama III). Maha Senanurak's wife, Princess Samleewan, a daughter of Taksin, was executed for treason.

Death

Front Palace Maha Senanurak fell ill and died in 1817. For the rest of his reign King Rama II refused to appoint a new Front Palace, leading perhaps to the brief confusion in succession between his sons Jessadabodindra and Mongkut at his death in 1824.

References

1. ↑ http://www.bloggang.com/mainblog.php?id=rattanakosin225&month=19-09-2007&group=1&gblog=35

Front Palaces of the Chakri Dynasty
First Reign	Maha Sura Singhanat Isarasundhorn (Later succeeded as King Rama II.) Anurak Devesh (Rear Palace)
Second Reign	Maha Senanurak
Third Reign	Maha Sakdi Polsep
Fourth Reign	Pinklao (Did not become King but was given the styles and titles of a King.)
Fifth Reign	Vichaichan (Title abolished after death.)
In 1885, the title was replaced with the Crown Prince of Siam