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Thailand: Somdet Chao Phraya Borom Maha Prayurawongse or Dis Bunnag (1788–1855)

Thailand: Somdet Chao Phraya Borom Maha Prayurawongse or Dis Bunnag (1788–1855)

Somdet Chao Phraya Borom Maha Prayurawongse or Dis Bunnag (1788–1855) was a prominent political figure in Siam during the mid-19th century. He acted as regent for King Mongkut (Rama IV) kingdom-wide. He led Siamese fleets in the Siamese-Vietnamese Wars and became a Somdet Chao Phraya - the highest title the nobility could attain with equal honor to that of royalty.

Dis Bunnag was born in 1788 to Bunnag and Lady Nuan (who was Queen Amarindra's sister). His father, Bunnag, or Chao Phraya Akka Mahasena, was the Samuha Kalahom and Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke's (Rama I) trusted general.

Dis entered the palace as a royal page - the traditional way to enter Siamese bureaucracy. Dis swiftly rose through the ranks and became the Minister of Krom Tha and emerged as a powerful noble under the government of Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (Rama II).

As Dis had played a great role in the ascension of Mongkut, he was bestowed the title of Somdet Chao Phraya Borom Maha Prayurawongse and became Mongkut's regent kingdom-wide along with his brother Tat Bunnag who became Somdet Chao Phraya Borom Maha Pichaiyat and Mongkut's regent in Bangkok.

The Bowring Treaty (an agreement signed between the United Kingdom and Siam to liberalize trade) was negotiated by Prayurawongse.

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