Prayoonwong (ประยูรวงศ์)

Thai. Name of a Chao Phraya who was a member of the influential Bunnag family and who served under several Chakri kings, from Rama I to Rama IV. He was born in Rattanakosin in 1788 AD as a son of Chao Phraya Akmahasena (อรรคมหาเสนา), who from 1786 to 1793 AD was Phraya Yommaraat, i.e. a post similar to the later Minister of State, and between 1793 and 1805 AD served as Samuha Kalahome, i.e. High Chancellor of the Interior Command of the southern districts in the reign of King Rama I. At birth he was named Dit Bunnag, and he had a younger brother named Tat Bunnag, whom later in life became Somdet Chao Phraya Borom Maha Phichaiyaht (fig.), while Dit became Somdet Chao Phraya Borom Maha Prayoonwong, which led to the people referring to them as the Little and the Big Somdet Chao Phraya, i.e. Somdet Chao Phraya Ong Noi (สมเด็จเจ้าพระยาองค์น้อย) and Somdet Chao Phraya Ong Yai (สมเด็จเจ้าพระยาองค์ใหญ่), respectively. He started his career as a royal page to Rama I and steadily rose through the ranks holding various important posts until he in 1830, in the footsteps of his father, was appointed to Samuha Kalahome, a post that he from 1851 onward combined with the post of Regent of Siam. Dit and his brother Tat were plenipotentiaries during the negotiations of the Bowring Treaty that was signed on 18 April 1855. Eight days later, on 26 April, Dit passed away at the age of 67. 回