Constantine Phaulkon
Constantine Phaulkon (Greek: Κωνσταντῖνος Γεράκης, Konstantinos Gerakis; γεράκι is the Greek word for "falcon"; also known as Costantin Gerachi, Capitão Falcão in Portuguese and simply as Monsieur Constance in French; 1647 – 5 June 1688)—noted in a letter from Kosa Pan, to Father de La Chaise (Père François d'Aix de la Chaise) as being called Kastan (Thai: กาศตัน; derived from Constans, the name foreigners used for Constantine Phaulkon)—was a Greek adventurer who became chief minister to King Narai of the Ayutthaya Kingdom and assumed the Siamese noble title Chao Phraya Wichayen (Thai: เจ้าพระยาวิไชเยนทร์). In this role, he wielded immense influence over Ayutthaya's foreign affairs and trade, playing a crucial part in establishing close diplomatic ties with the court of King Louis XIV of France.