Khun Phiphit Wathi


Khun Phiphit Wathi, or Luang Phiphit, Phraya Phiphit, Phraya Rachasethi Chin, was a general of Thonburi Kingdom, Siam.
His personal name was Chiam, he was a Teochew Chinese, he also had a Chinese name, Tang Lieng. In Vietnamese records, he was mentioned as Chiêu Khoa Liên or Trần Liên ; his official rank was Chiêu Khoa, which might be the generic Thai term for a high-ranking official: Chao Khun.
Chiam was a chief of the Chinese junk fleet in Trat. King Bhumibol Adulyadej thought that Trần Liên probably be the same person Trần Thái. In 1769, Trần Thái tried to attack Hà Tiên from nearby Bạch Mã hill, but was defeated and fled to Chantaburi. In there, Trần Thái was enlisted the support of Taksin, the new king of Siam.
In 1769, a Hà Tiên navy under Trần Hầu was sent to attack Chantaburi. Chiam was appointed as the new deputy governor of Trat with the title Phraya Phiphit. He defeated the Hà Tiên navy and forced them to retreat.
Chiam was appointed Phra Khlang by Taksin. A Burmese map showed his house surrounded by Teochiu communities, perhaps indicating that he had the capacity as a leader of Teochew Chinese in the city.
Chiam took part in Taksin's Hà Tiên expedition of 1771. After the capture of Hà Tiên, Chiam was appointed the governor with the title Phraya Rachasethi. His position "Phra Khlang" was succeeded another Chinese, Phraya Phichai Aisawan . He was called Phraya Rachasethi Chin to distinguish with the Vietnamese former governor, Mạc Thiên Tứ. Two years later, Taksin reached an accommodation with Vietnamese. Chiam returned to Siam.
Chiam remained the title "Phraya Phiphit" during Rama I's reign.