4
Royal Opinion on Successors to the Throne
(Excerpted from the Royal Chronicle of Chaophraya Thiphakorawong)
On Tuesday, the 10th waxing-moon day of the 3rd month,[1] at the time of 5 mong in the afternoon,[2] His Majesty ordered Phraya Sisuriwong, Steward of the Royal Pages, to be summoned to see him within his chamber, where His Majesty asked him as follows: “Have Phraya Siphiphat brought the note made at my behest out to the Cabinet for discussion? What did they say?” Phraya Sisuriwong replied: “They have acknowledged it with respect. They all are gloomed and they think that the permission so given is absolutely favourable. Upon discussion, they found that your illness is not yet fatal as physicians can still serve you somehow, for which reason it is not yet appropriate to instate any senior or junior member of the royalty [as monarch]. They will help each other repay your kindness and generosity by preserving state affairs from harm and danger in any manner.” His Majesty then ordered His Grace, Phraya Sisuriwong, to move closer to him and handle his body, before saying: “My body has deteriorated to this degree. Physicians say I will still recover, with which I fully disagree. As for the state affairs in the future, I see no one capable of protecting the Country. Krommakhun Det is a credulous person, easily believing in whatever people say. He cannot be made ruler. Krommakhun Phiphit knows nothing about work, through which his wisdom will not shine. The Junior Prince is somewhat intelligent and knowledgeable about engineering and military affairs, but he prefers not to engage in state affairs. Lazy he is. All he cares about is playing for pleasure. The only one I find to be of such intelligence that suffices for the protection of the Country is the Senior Prince. But I hate that he, the Senior Prince, prefers the Mon customs.
