The samuhanayok () was one of the two chief ministers in the historical Chatusadom government system of Siam (now Thailand), originally charged with civil affairs but later overseeing both civil and military affairs in northern cities. During the Ayutthaya and Thonburi periods, the official who held the post usually took the noble title of Chakri (, ). The term, from Sanskrit चक्री cakrī, literally meant "one who has a discus", referring to the Hindu god Vishnu who possesses the discus Sudarshana).
The last office-holder to be known by the title Chakri was Thongduang, who established the Rattanakosin Kingdom and became King Rama I in 1782. His dynasty, which includes the current Thai royal family, is known as the Chakri Dynasty after his former title. Later office-holders of Rattanakosin were granted individualized titles.
List of samuhanayok +No.PortraitTitle and nameTerm of officeMonarchNotesOkya Chakri c. 1550s ~Maha ChakkraphatPhraya Chakric. 1560sMahinthrathirat Became a spy for King Bayinnaung of Burma, leading to the first fall of Ayutthaya in 1569.3 reigns laterChaophraya Bowonratchanayok (Sheikh Ahmad) c. 1600s ~Borommaracha I (Songtham)2 reigns later c. 1600s–1685Sanphet V (Prasat Thong)Sanphet VI (Chai)Sanphet VII (Si Suthammaracha)Ramathibodi III (Narai)Phraya Wichaiyen (Constantine Phaulkon) 1685–1688Ramathibodi III (Narai) 1688–1703Ramathibodi III (Narai)Phetracha c. 1705s ~PhetrachaSanphet VIII (Suriyenthrathibodi)Chaophraya Chakri (Khunnen) –1726Sanphet IX (Thai Sa)Died after sentenced to a hundred lashes by the Uparaja (the King's brother) for a minor transgressionPhraya Ratchasongkhram (Pan) c. 1720s ~Sanphet IX (Thai Sa)Chaophraya Phetphichai (Chai) c. 1730s ~Maha Thammarachathirat II (Borommakot)Chaophraya Aphaimontri c. 1740s ~Chaophraya Ratchaphakdi (Sawang) c. 1750s ~Phraya Aphairacha c. 1750s–c. 1770sMaha Thammarachathirat III (Uthumphon) Borommaracha III (Ekkathat)Fall of Ayutthaya1Chaophraya Chakri (Mud) 1767–1774Taksin (Sanphet X) Usually referred as Chaophraya Chakri Khaek (the 'Muslim Chaophraya Chakri'); he was a descendant of Suleiman, the sultan of Songkhla.2Chaophraya Chakri (Thongduang) 1770–1782 Also known by the title Somdet Chaophraya Mahakasatsuek (though sources are conflicting). Later seized the throne, establishing Rattanakosin and becoming King Rama I.Fall of Thonburi1 (Son [Sandhiratna]) 1782–1805Rama I2 (Kun [Ratnakula]) 1809–1813Rama II3Chaophraya Aphaiphuthon (Noi [Punyaratabandhu]) 1813–1827Rama IIRama III4Chaophraya Bodindecha (Sing [Sinhaseni]) 1829–1849Rama IIISpent most of his term leading war campaigns, and was deputized by Phraya Sisahathep (Thongpheng)5 (To [Kalyanamitra]) 1851–1863Rama IIIMongkut (Rama IV)6 (Nut [Punyaratabandhu]) 1863–1878Mongkut (Rama IV)Chulalongkorn (Rama V)7 1878–1886Chulalongkorn (Rama V)8 (Rot [Kalyanamitra]) 1886–1892Chulalongkorn (Rama V)Some sources give his name as Bunrot ()Position Abolished
See also List of samuhakalahom List of prime ministers of Thailand
References