Seven years later, this personal friend of Bunnag was proclaimed King Rama I. The start of the Chakri Dynasty which has held sway to the present day. Nark became Queen Amarintra Barom Maha Rajinee; her sister Nual, Chao Khun Nual or Chao Khun Rajabandh II and Bunnag, the commoner the great great great, great grandson of Chao Phya Boworn Rajnayok (Sheikh Ahmad Qomi), became in time, the highest nobleman of the land with the title of Chao Phya Arkara Maha Sena (Bunnag). He and his descendants are known as Rajineekul Sai Chao Khun Nual or The Family of the Queen. The infant, that was asleep in Chao Khun Nual's arms became King Rama II. When Somdej Chao Phya Maha Krasatsuk (Thong Duang) was proclaimed King Rama I of Siam, the capital was still in Dhonburi if the city was attacked, decided the opposite side of the river (the East bank of the Chao Phya River) - Bangkok was a more suitable site to defend. The site that King Rama I chose to be the perfect spot to build his palace and the Temple of the Emeral Buddha, was at that time the trading centre of the Chinese, Indians and some Siamese. The Chinese community was moved three to four kilometres away, to an area known as Hua Med which is known to day as Sampeng (China Town). The Indians settled in the Northern outskirts of the Royal Palace area. There were also a considerable number of Siamese living in houseboats which were moored on both sides of the river, and on the other side of the moat and city fortifications. This area is known to-day as Banglampoo. It was here that all the market produce from the provinces were brought to Bangkok, as they came by boat up the convenient Klong Banglampoo (canal) which also served as a moat as it is just on the outskirts of the old city fortifications from the nearby Chao Phya River. The location as well the canal exsists to the present day. In the meantime while all this reshuffling was taking place. King Rama I empowered Bunnag to make his significant contribution to Siamese history. He was entrusted and commissioned to go to the old capital, Krung Sri Ayudhya, to salvage any materials deemed useful, commandeer labourers, artisans as well as all the skilled workmen and artists to build the new fortifications for the city of Bangkok, the Royal Temple and the Palace. The Palace was to be an exact replica of the Sanpetr Maha Prasart Palace of the Kings of Ayudhya. He was also to gather and amass all the necessary materials, which meant salvaging bricks, stones granite and all sorts of material that might be useful from the ruins of the old city of Ayudhya. Bunnag was also to act as superintendent in the construction. Quite a colossal undertaking and quite beyond the capabilities of most men. Bunnag, however, after one year's careful preparation, was able to have King Rama I lay the foundation stone of the Amarintra Pisek Maha Prasart Palace in 1783. The Palace a wooden structure, was built of the choicest scented wood, and was an exact replica of the razed Sanpetr Maha Prasart Palace. Not only did Bunnag supervise the building of the Palace but also the carving of the regal furniture, including a Throne made of the finest ebony and inlaid with Mother of Pearl. To the present day, these items are considered materpieces of Siamese craftmenship. The Amarintra Pisek Maha Prasart Palace was ready on 16th, February 1784, and shortly afterwards the long awaited coranation and crowning of King Rama I, took place. Bunnag for his achievement, was created a nobleman and besowed the title of Phya Outhai Dhum (Bunnag). Unfortunately, in the year 1789, the Amarintra Pisek Maha Prasart Palace was struck by lightning and hit by a thunderbolt! The Palace caught fire and was razed to the ground. Fortunately, a lot of regal Mother of Pearl furniture and Paraphernalia were salvaged and many of the masterpieces may be seen on display in the present Maha Prasart Palace today, which was reconstructed on practically the same spot as the former one - but this time built of brick and mortar! Later on Phya Outhai Dhum (Bunnag) was put in charge of Civil Affairs (North) and given the title of Phya Yomraj (Bunnag). Later, he was appointed Minister of Defence and elevated with the title of Chao Phya Arkara Maha Sena (Bunnag). Chao Phya Arkara Maha Sena (Bunnag) had one daughter by his first wife Tunn Lim: her name was Tunn Tanee. Tunn Tanee became a Consort of King Rama I and became a Chao Chom Mada, and in court circles was known as Chao Khun Wang. She had two children H.R.H. Phra Ong Chao Ying Chongkol, and a son H.R.H. Prince Phra Ong Chao Sawetr Chatr Kromma Muen Surin Tarak.
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