Far East Kingdoms

Ayutthaya (Ayuddhya / Ayutthya) Kingdom (Thailand)
AD 1350 - 1767

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The second Thai empire after that of Sukhothai was founded by U-Thong in 1350 (also known as King Ramathibodi I). At the height of its power, Ayutthaya was one of the world's largest and wealthiest cities, with over a million inhabitants. The city was built on an island which was surrounded by three rivers, the Chao Phraya, the Pa Sak, and the Lopburi, all of which served as a natural barrier against invaders.

Ayutthaya was connected to the Gulf of Siam about a hundred kilometres to the south by the Chao Phraya river. A number of palaces and many of the empire's imposing temples were built with external influences being taken on board, especially from Sukhothai to the north and the Khmer to the east, as well as China, Japan, and later on several European countries.

Ramathibodi I expanded Ayutthaya's territory, especially towards Sukhothai and the Khmer capital of Angkor. The government was an autocracy with, roughly, three classes of people, these being the king at the top, plus his family and ministries, then the commoners, and then the slaves at the bottom.

The first Europeans to visit what would become Thailand visited Ayutthaya, which was responsible for one of the area's most glorious eras. The capital was roughly fifty-five kilometres to the north of Bangkok.

(Information by Peter Kessler & John De Cleene, with additional information from the John De Cleene Archive, from The Restoration of Thailand under Rama I, 1782-1809, Klaus Wenk (1968), from A History of Thailand, Chris Baker & Pasuk Phongpaichit (2005), from Southeast Asia: A Historical Encyclopaedia, from Angkor Wat to East Timor, Keat Gin Ooi (ABC-Clio, 2004), from Early Mainland Southeast Asia, C Higham (River Books Co, 2014), from Encyclopaedia of Ancient Asian Civilizations, Charles F W Higham (Facts on File, 2004), from Historical Atlas of the World, R R Palmer (Ed, Chicago, 1963), and from External Links: Ayutthaya Kingdom (Renown Travel), and Ancient Chinese farmers sowed literal seeds of change in south-east Asia (Science News), and The Indianized States of Southeast Asia, George Coedès (Walter F Vella (Ed), Susan Brown Cowing (Trans), University of Hawaii Press, 1968, and available online via the Internet Archive).)

1350 - 1369

Founded kingdom in opposition to Sukhothai.

1369 - 1370

1370 - 1388

1388

1388 - 1395

Restored?

1395 - 1409

1409 - 1424

1424 - 1448

1438

Sukhothai is conquered by Ayuddhya.

1448 - 1463

Ruled in Phitsanulok only (1463-1488).

1463 - 1488

1488 - 1491

1491 - 1529

1511

A Portuguese embassy is established soon after the arrival of these first Europeans.

1529 - 1569

Ayutthya, and Lan Na's capital at Chiang Mai are taken under the control of the Burmese. The Thais are able to regain both states' capitals, Ayutthya's being regained by 1584.

Ayutthaya took on influences from many external players, including Sukhothai and the Khmer, as well as China, Japan and - later - several European countries, with that influence being seen in Wat Chaiwatthanaram

1529 - 1533

1533 - 1534

1534 - 1547

1547 - 1548

1548

1548 - 1569

1569

1569 - 1590

Burmese vassal.

1575

A new Royal Seal is obtained from China.

1590 - 1605

Fought the Khmer. Defeated the Burmese.

1593

The Burmese are defeated at the battle of Nong Sarai.

1605 - 1610/11

1610? - 1611

May not have ruled.

1610/11 - 1628

1628 - 1629

1629

1629 - 1656

1656

1656

1656 - 1688

Established first French embassy.

1688 - 1703

1694 - 1704

The last effective ruler of Lan Xang dies. The resulting succession battle causes the kingdom's supporting federation to collapse. Trịnh Căn apparently sends in his Trịnh-controlled army to see if he can take control there, but it becomes embroiled in a decade-long conflict which also involves Phra Phetracha.

Three weakened kingdoms emerge from the mess, each of which is forced to pay tribute both to the Ayutthaya kingdom and to the Viet under Trịnh control (although this is open to question, with the Nguyễn lords also being suggested as the leaders of Viet involvement).

1703 - 1709

1709 - 1733

1733 - 1758

1758

1758 - 1767

1765 - 1768

The Burmese again invade the city of Ayutthaya and, this time, they succeed in taking it. However, after two years the Burmese find they cannot hold onto the kingdom in the face of attacks by General Phaya Taksin and they withdraw, leaving Siam in a power vacuum.

1769

General Phaya Taksin flees to Krung Thonburi where he promotes himself as king.