Shaikh Ahmad Qomi

Shaikh Ahmad Qomi was a wealthy merchant who rose to a high rank of chularajmontri at the time of king Ekatosrost (r. 1605-1610/11) . He supervised Thailand's trade with the Middle East and with the Deccan sultanates of India.

Sheikh Ahmad Qomi (Qummi) was born in 1543 in Paeene Shahar district of Qom (Qum), Persia. Bearing the title sheikh, Ahmad was highly educated and qualified in the teachings of the Islamic religious scriptures. He belonged to the Twelver Sect or Imami Shi’ism.

The exact year that Ahmad came to Siam with his younger brother Muhammad Said, is disputed. Some sources stated 1602, other 1603 and 1605. Both brothers and their retinue set up their residential and trading quarters in Ayutthaya. The sheik married a Siamese woman named “Chuey” and got two sons and a daughter. The eldest son, was named Chun, the second one died at young age, while the daughter was named Chi.

Ahmad’s trading prospered and he became wealthy; increasing his influence at the
court during the reign of King Ekathotsarot . Around 1610, the two Persian Muslim brothers helped to reform the Phra Khlang Ministry (Ministry of Finance and Foreign Affairs). The division of this ministry in a 'left' and a 'right' department was apparently their credit. As a result of his contribution to the development of the port administration, Sheik Ahmad received the title of Phraya Ratana Rachasetthi by the King. Muhammad Said returned to India, while Ahmad was appointed head of the 'Krom Tha Khwa' or head of the "Harbour Department of the Right", one of the departments he created himself. Ahmad and his retinue were granted a site in order to build houses, a mosque and a cemetery. This area appears to be still known today as Ban Khaek Kuti Chao Sen.

In 1611 Japanese traders staged a rebellion and tried to capture King Songtham (r. 1610/1611-1628) inside the Grand Palace premises. The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya state that the Japanese traders athered with around five hundred in the royal courtyard. King Songtham was at that moment at the Jom Thong Royal Pavilion of Wat Sri Sanphet, listening to the monks explicating books. Seemingly there was not much organization nor co-ordination in the bunch of rebels as monks from the Monastery of the Pradu Tree and the Hall of the Law could come in and escort the king out, right in front of the Japanese. Phraya Ahmad managed to assemble his troops and attacked the Japanese. The Japanese were routed from the Grand Palace, boarded their junks and fled to Petchaburi. The Ayutthayan Chronicles state that due to his armed intervention and its fortunate outcome, the Sheikh was appointed Chao Phraya Kalahom Suriyawong. Shortly after he must have been installed in the function of Phra Khlang and became the Mahatthai (Minister of Civil Affairs) by the end of the reign of King Songtham.

Sheikh Ahmad passed away in 1631 at the old age of 88 year