Constantine Phaulkon

Constantine Phaulkon, born Κωσταντής Γεράκης or Costantin Gerachi (Greek: Κωνσταντῖνος Γεράκης, Konstantinos Gerakis, "γεράκι", is the word for "falcon") also known by the French simply as Monsieur Constance, the Thai noble title เจ้าพระยาวิชาเยนทร์, Chao Phraya Wichayen and the Portuguese Constantino Falcão (1647 – June 5, 1688) was a Greek adventurer, who became prime counsellor to King Narai of Ayutthaya, assuming the title Chao P'raya Vichayen.

Born within the fortress of Asso in the region of Erisso (pertinenza di Erisso) on northern Cephalonia (then under Venetian rule) to Greek Orthodox parents. The Γεράκη / Gerachi (Gerakis) family was already established there, in the village of Plagia (Πλαγιά), since the 16th century. Phaulkon came to Siam (today's Thailand) as a merchant in 1675 after working for England's East India Company. He became fluent in Thai in just a few years and began to work at the court of King Narai as a translator (he was also fluent in English, French, Portuguese, and Malay). Due to his experience with the East India Company, he was soon able to become a prime counsellor of the king. He worked in the Treasury.

In 1682, Phaulkon abandoned Anglicanism for Catholicism and soon after married a Catholic woman of mixed Japanese-Portuguese-Bengali descent named Maria Guyomar de Pinha. They lived a life of affluence as Phaulkon rose to become highly influential at the Siamese court of king Narai. Their marriage brought two sons, João and Jorge, the first of whom died before their father.

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