Tomb of King Taksin’s Regalia

Tomb of King Taksin’s Regalia

The Tomb of King Taksin’s Regalia is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Tomb of King Taksin’s Regalia is located in Guangyi Subdistrict, north of Chenghai District. King Taksin, also known as Zheng Xin or Zheng Zhao, was the son of Zheng Yong, originally from Huafu Village in Chenghai. During the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty, Zheng Yong took a red-head ship to Siam (now Thailand) to seek a livelihood. He later married a Siamese woman named Luo Yang, and in 1734, their son Zheng Xin was born. After Zheng Yong passed away, Zheng Xin was adopted by the Siamese finance minister Phraya Kietkhee. At the age of 13, he entered the royal court, initially serving as a guard before rising to the rank of prince. When Burmese troops invaded Siam and captured the capital of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, Zheng Xin raised the banner of resistance. With the help of overseas Chinese and the Thai people, and after arduous and heroic battles, he finally drove out the Burmese forces, established the Third Thai Dynasty, and was enthroned as King Taksin of Thonburi.

He reigned for 15 years, unifying the fragmented Thai peninsula into a single nation, leading the people in developing production and improving their livelihoods, and achieved great accomplishments. After his death, the Thai government and people built the King Taksin Shrine in his honor, venerating him as a hero for perpetual remembrance.

In the autumn of 1782, Zheng Xin’s relatives transported one set of his Thai attire and one set of Chinese clothing to his hometown of Huafu Village for burial, where they established the Tomb of King Taksin’s Regalia. In 1985, the tomb was renovated. The current site covers 0.2 hectares and features three tiers of stone steps, complemented by elegant concrete railings, forming a cohesive courtyard. The towering tombstone bears the eleven characters: “Tomb of the Regalia of King Taksin of Siam.” This rather magnificent tomb of King Taksin’s regalia has been listed as a key cultural relic protection unit in Chenghai.

Currently, relevant departments in Shantou are planning and constructing a King Taksin Hometown Tourism Area based on the historical legacy of King Taksin’s ascension to the throne. This project takes advantage of the existing natural conditions and the already-built Tomb of King Taksin’s Regalia as its foundation, using the achievements of King Taksin as its main attraction. It highlights the unique selling point of a Chinese individual becoming an emperor overseas, with Huafu Village serving as the cultural anchor. The plan includes constructing a Thai-style King Taksin Memorial Hall and memorial tower, emphasizing the characteristic of “overseas Chinese culture.” The surrounding area will feature the natural landscape of Huafu Village’s surrounding rivers and mountains, along with planned projects such as the Zheng Clan Ancestral Hall, water park, wildlife park, children’s amusement park, self-pick fruit orchard, and Chaoshan snack street. Ultimately, it aims to become a cultural tourism area integrating sightseeing and root-seeking cultural exchange, and is a key project in Shantou’s tourism development plan. The overall planned area of the scenic zone is 562 mu, with a total investment estimated at 280 million RMB. The development will be carried out in phases, and the first phase is now open for investment, covering an area of 100 mu, with planned attractions including a statue of King Taksin, pavilions, bridges, and a memorial hall.

Zheng Xin (1734–1782) was born in Ayutthaya City, Thailand. His father, Zheng Yong, was from Huafu Village in Shanghua Town. During the Yongzheng reign of the Qing Dynasty (1723–1735), he crossed south to Siam and settled in Ayutthaya City, where he married a Siamese woman named Luo Yang and had Zheng Xin. Not long after, Zheng Yong passed away, and Zheng Xin was adopted by the Siamese finance minister, receiving a traditional education fit for nobility. As he grew up, he entered politics and served as the governor of Kamphaeng Phet Province, earning the title of Phraya, and was referred to by the Siamese as Phraya Taksin. In 1763, Burmese forces invaded Siam, and Zheng Xin led troops to help defend the Siamese capital. In April 1767, the Burmese captured the capital... More details about Zheng Xin ++