Lek Chakri, Chao Phraya Kosathibodi

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