Kosa Lek ( th, โกษาเหล็ก, 1632 – July 1683) was a Siamese trader, field general and

minister Minister may refer to: * Minister (Christianity), a Christian cleric ** Minister (Catholic Church) * Minister (government), a member of government who heads a ministry (government department) ** Minister without portfolio, a member of government w ...

. He was the older brother of Kosa Pan and Thao Sri Chulalak, the concubine of King Narai.

Background

Lek was born to a Siamese woman Chao Mae Dusit in the

Ayutthaya Kingdom The Ayutthaya Kingdom (; th, อยุธยา, , IAST: or , ) was a Siamese kingdom that existed in Southeast Asia from 1351 to 1767, centered around the city of Ayutthaya, in Siam, or present-day Thailand. The Ayutthaya Kingdom is conside ...

in 1632. Chao was a wet nurse for Phetracha, and also for Prince Narai on the following year, thus making Lek their foster brother. Kosa Lek and his younger brother Kosa Pan were important officials to Narai. When a group of senior lords who helped Narai to succeed to the throne had lost their power a group of young nobles led by Lek and his brother came to help Narai in their place. Lek served as a field general for Narai from 1660 to 1672, and was involved in the Burmese–Siamese War. Lek became a minister and also a trader, and had a deep trade rivalry with one of the King's favorite

Aqa Muhammed Astarabadi AQA, formerly the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance, is an awarding body in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It compiles specifications and holds examinations in various subjects at GCSE, AS and A Level and offers vocational qu ...

of the Persian community until the latter was accused of corruption in 1677 and executed by having his mouth sealed shut in October 1679. Later Lek put a Greek adventurer and trader

Constantine Phaulkon Constantine Phaulkon (Greek: Κωνσταντῖνος Γεράκης, ''Konstantinos Gerakis''; γεράκι is the Greek word for "falcon"; 1647 – 5 June 1688, also known as Costantin Gerachi, ''Capitão Falcão'' in Portuguese and simply as ' ...

into his service to help facilitating his trading business. Impressed by his talent, Lek introduced him into the court of King Narai in 1681 and Phaulkon began to work as a interpreter. Phaulkon's ability to manage accounting and foreign affairs quickly gained the royal favor of the King. In 1683, Lek had a disagreement with King Narai over the construction of a European-style fortress as suggested by Phaulkon. Lek was said to have received a bribe of 50 scales (about 4,000 baht in present days) from some certain ''phrai'' who did not want it built. King Narai had his men flog Lek with rattan sticks, after which he died from his injuries about a month later. Although King Narai grieved for Lek's death, this did not stop him from sending his men to confiscate Lek's properties, leaving his family with nothing. King Narai offered Lek's former position to Phaulkon, which he declined and instead accepted the advisory role to the Malay noble Okya Wang, who had assumed the position.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kosa Lek 1632 births 1683 deaths Chaophraya Thai people of Mon descent