Somdet Phra Sri Suriyendra Boroma Rachini or
Queen Sri Suriyendra (1767 - 1836) was the queen of
Siam, wife of
Buddha Loetla Nabhalai, who was her own cousin, and mother of
Mongkut and
Pinklao. She was later named upon the coronation of her son Mongkut as
Krom Somdet Phra Sri Suriyendramataya.
Princess Bunreod was a daughter of Princess
Sri Sudarak (เจ้าฟ้ากรมพระศรีสุดารักษ์) (sister of
Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke) and her Chinese husband Chao Krua Ngern (เจ้าขรัวเงิน). Princess Bunreod lived with her mother in the Grand Palace and became acquainted to the daughters of Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (therefore her cousins).
Princess Bunreod then had an affair with her cousin Prince
Isarasundhorn, a son and heir apparent of King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke. The King found out her 4-month pregnancy in
1801 and banished her out of the
Grand Palace to live with her brother Prince Thepharirak. Prince Isarasundhorn then pledged his father to return the princess to the palace. The couple eventually settled themselves at the Old Palace (Thonburi Palace) and Princess Bunreod became the prince's consort.
However, the baby died just after the birth. With Prince Isarasundhorn (future Buddha Loetla Nabhalai), she bore three princes;
- A Prince, born in 1801, died just after the birth
- Prince Mongkut, or later King Mongkut (or King Rama IV), born in 1804.
Following Prince Isarasundhorn's coronation as Buddha Loetla Nabhalai, Princess Bunreod was raised to
Queen Sri Suriyendra. She was not the only wife as the Siamese monarchs was allowed have many consorts in accordance with tradition. Sri Suriyendra shared her husband with Princess Consort Kunthon and Princess
Riam (Mother of King
Jessadabodindra (or King Rama III))and a number of the king's concubines.
Her son, Prince Mongkut became a monk in
1824, the same year that Buddha Loetla Nabhalai died. It was her son Mongkut who was to be crowned according to the succession law. However, the nobility instead put Prince
Jessadabodindra , who was a son of concubine, on the throne. Mongkut then remained a monk to avoid court intrigues.
Sri Suriyendra then left for the Old Palace to live with her son Prince Isaret (previously Prince Chutamani). She stayed there until her death in
1836 and didn't live to see her son Mongkut crowned.
