Far East Kingdoms

Ayutthaya (Ayuddhya / Ayutthya) Kingdom (Thailand)
AD 1350 - 1767
Incorporating Suphan & Tavoy

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Modern Thailand occupies much of the Indochinese peninsula in South-East Asia. It is bordered by Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Burma. From the twelfth century onwards Thais expanded outwards, predominantly southwards into the Malay-Thai peninsula. State-building swiftly followed in Early Thailand to create a patchwork of kingdoms and minor principalities.

As the second Thai empire after that of Sukhothai, Ayutthaya was founded by U-Thong in 1350 (also known by his reignal name of Ramathibodi I). Roughly fifty-five kilometres to the north of Bangkok, the kingdom's eponymous core city of Ayutthaya itself was erected on the ruins of Sano (Sornau or Shahr-i-nao), the ancient capital of the kingdom of Lavo.

At the height of its power the city and its surrounding kingdom was one of the world's largest and wealthiest locations, with the city enjoying a population of about a million inhabitants. It 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.

The name comes from 'Ayodhya', Rama's capital in the Indian epic, Ramayana. It can be shown alternatively as Ayuddhya, Ayuddhaya, Ayutthya, Ayuthaya, Ayuthia, or even as Krung Kao (meaning 'ancient capital'), and Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya.

Ayutthaya was connected to the Gulf of Siam by the Chao Phraya, with the gulf lying about a hundred kilometres to the south. A number of palaces and many of the kingdom'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 from China, Japan and, later on, from several European countries.

At its height in the mid-fifteenth century the kingdom managed to extend its borders to encompass all of modern Thailand, south-eastern Burma, south-western Laos, a small portion of western Cambodia, and northern Malaysia.

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(Information by Peter Kessler & John De Cleene, with additional information from the John De Cleene Archive, 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), from A History of Thailand, Chris Baker & Pasuk Phongpaichit (2005), from The Restoration of Thailand under Rama I, 1782-1809, Klaus Wenk (1968), from Encyclopaedia Britannica (Eleventh Edition, Cambridge (England), 1910), from Southeast Asia: A Historical Encyclopaedia, from Angkor Wat to East Timor, Keat Gin Ooi (ABC-Clio, 2004), from Southeast Asia: Past & Present, D R SarDesai (Westview Press, 1989), and from External Links: Ancient Chinese farmers sowed literal seeds of change in south-east Asia (Science News), and Ancient Kingship in Mainland Southeast Asia, M C Subhadradis Diskul (Kingship in Asia and Early Americas, Colegio de México, 1981, available via JSTOR), and Ayutthaya Kingdom (Renown Travel), and Ayutthaya Historical Research, and Ayutthaya Period, 1350-1767 (Encyclopaedia Britannica), 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 - 1351

The chao (prince) of Uthong establishes a new capital at Ayutthaya, and the diminished Sukhothai begins to decline in importance. The chao takes the name Rāmādhipati (Ramathibodi) when he assumes the kingship in 1351. Thanks to its proximity, the new capital is a much greater Thai threat to the Khmer empire.

Between about 802-809 Jayavarman II of Lower Chen-La unified the region, shrugged off his overlords on Sumatra, and established his capital at Harlharalaya (shown here) to found the beginnings of the Khmer empire

1351 - 1369

Founded kingdom in opposition to Sukhothai.

1300s

Throughout the 1300s Ayutthaya and China regularly exchange ambassadors, each envoy bringing expensive gifts for the other country's ruler. Ayutthaya also pays regular tribute to a China which knows Ayutthaya as 'Siam', a name which gradually will assume a prominent position.

1350 - 1369

Ramathibodi's great contribution to Thai society is the consolidation of ancient Thai and non-Thai legal concepts into a code of laws which is suitable for a more complex and diverse culture.

1353 - 1362

Ayutthaya attacks the Khmer in 1352 and captures Angkor in 1353. The Khmer ruler, Lompong, dies in that year and three sons of Ayutthya's ruler govern in succession over Kambuja between 1353-1357.

1369 - 1370

Son. Mismanaged rule and abdicated.

1370

Ramesuan is unable to put down riots, so his ministers urge him to abdicate in favour of his uncle, Prince Phangoa, governor of Suphanburi. Ramesuan agrees, so Phangoa takes the name 'Borommaracha' while Ramesuan becomes governor of Lopburi.

Declining during the fourteenth century, around 1431 Angkor Wat was abandoned, leaving few clues to help modern historians understand how and why the city was left so completely to the jungle

1370 - 1388

Uncle and agreed replacement.

1375 - 1378

Ayutthaya captures Phitsanulok in 1375, the second capital of Sukhothai, and brings back numerous captives which include the city's former ruler. Ayutthaya annexes Chankangrao and the western part of Sukhothai in 1378, with Sukhothai's ruler now being a vassal.

c.1387

With the death of Kū Na of Lan Na, Saen Muang Ma succeeds him as his son and heir. Saen Muang Ma's uncle, Prince Phrom, disputes the succession and is defeated whilst attempting to take the throne.

Phrom asks for Ayutthaya's help, and Ayutthaya sends an army with the expectation of expanding its influence. Lan Na defeats the army, Saen Muang Ma preserves his throne, and Ayutthaya appeases both sides by giving thirty elephants and two attendants to each.

Mengrai, in the centre, was the founder of the kingdom of Lan Na at Chiang Mai in 1259, a late medieval rival to Sukhothai in what is now Thailand

1388

When Prince Phrom of Chiang Saen occupies Kamphaeng Phet, Borommaracha accompanies an army which reoccupies the city. Borommaracha dies on his way back home and is succeeded by Thong Chan (Thong Lan). The once-abdicated Ramesuan retakes the throne from his base at Lopburi and Thong Chan is executed. The Ming endorse his return.

1388

Son. Reigned seven days. Executed.

1388 - 1395

Restored after executing Thong Chan.

1390

Sukhothai lures Saen Mūang Ma, king of Chiang Mai, with a request for help in throwing off Ayutthaya controls. When Saen Mūang Ma brings with him an army, Sukhothai attacks and inflicts a major defeat. Saen Mūang Ma barely escapes with his life.

1395 - 1409

Grandson of U-Thong. Forced to abdicate.

1396

Either Sukhothai (most likely) or Ayutthaya sends an envoy to consecrate Chao Kamtan, ruler of Nan. The consecrated water is poured over his head, but he dies during the night. The envoy flees, giving rise to the possibility that Chao Kamtan has been poisoned. He is succeeded by son, Chao Si Kanta.

A good deal of information about the state of Sukhothai under the rule of Rama 'the Great' is contained on an inscribed stone stele which was discovered at the Wat Mahathat temple in Sukhothai Historical Park

1403 - 1408

The Ming send two maritime expeditions to visit Ayutthaya in order to be able to exert greater control over its trade and its political and economic activities. This is the beginning of a series of Chinese trade ventures.

1409

Prince Nakhon In of Suphan intervenes in a dispute between the king and one of his ministers. The prince seizes the king, forces him to abdicate, and takes the throne for himself under the reignal name of Intharacha. He brings to an end the U-Thong dynasty and initiates rule under the House of Suphan.

1409 - 1424

Nephew of Borommaracha I. House of Suphan.

1411

A succession dispute arises following the death of Saen Mūang Ma of Lan Na. It is settled in a trial by single combat. The new king's champion, Sam Fang Kaen, prevails over the Thai champion who is backed by Ayutthaya. Nevertheless, Ayutthaya succeeds in capturing Chiang Rāi and brings back many prisoners.

1419

Upon the death of Mahathammaracha III of Sukhothai, as its overlord Ayutthaya has to intervene to settle a succession dispute between his two brothers.

Tai-speaking people (of which Thais form a sub-group) first arrived in the region of today's Thailand around 600 BC, but heavy inwards migration only took place between the eighth to tenth centuries AD

1424

Intharacha's two eldest sons both die in single combat between each other whilst riding elephants. The succession falls to the youngest son, Chao Sam Phraya, who takes the name Borommarach(a).

1424 - 1448

Son. Died campaigning.

1431

Ayutthaya sacks Angkor and destroys the stability of the Khmer empire. Ayutthaya subsequently finds itself being flooded with Khmer refugees, and is required to absorb a significant level of Khmer influence, including the Khmer class system and the concept of the divinity of the king. This is easily done as Thais have always classified their kings as living Buddhas.

1438

Sukhothai is conquered by Ayutthaya, becoming one of its integrated provinces. Its former capital city is abandoned in the fifteenth or sixteenth century.

1448

Borommaracha dies on campaign before he can retake Nan, whose king he is attempting to reinstall. Prince Ramesuan, governor of Phitsanulok, succeeds him under the name of Borommatrailokanat.

The state of Muang Pua was re-established and moved to Nan in the mid-fourteenth century when a group of small muang united to form the state of Nan, or Nanthaburi

1448 - 1463

Son. Ruled at Phitsanulok only (1463-1488).

1448 - 1463

The great contribution to Thai society by Borommatrailokanat, also known as Trailok, is the development of an administrative structure which centralises the state, regulates the behaviour of the royal family, and fixes the succession.

His reforms last until the nineteenth century. The feudal system of vassal principalities is replaced by provinces whose governors are usually princes, with casualties probably including Langasaka. The armies of the former principalities are merged into a single national army.

1463 - c.1488

Borommatrailokanat moves the capital from Ayutthaya to Phitsanulok to protect against attack from Lan Na. The capital remains there for about twenty-five years. He makes Borommaracha III, his elder son the new regent of the city of Ayutthaya.

1463

Son. Regent at Ayutthaya. Later king.

1463

Lan Na attempts to capture Sukhothai, but Borommatrailokanat and a son by the name of Intharacha take one army while Borommaracha commands another, and the threat is repulsed. Intharacha is wounded by an arrow to the face.

Chiangkhǫng or Chiang Khong is bordered by the River Mekong, formerly a significant settlement and a crucial trading outpost within the Lanna state

1463 - 1488

Former regent of Ayutthaya and now king.

1474 - 1475

Ayutthaya invades Lan Na and captures Chaliang, one of its vassal states which currently goes by the name Sawankhalok. The war results in a truce between Ayutthaya and Lan Na which lasts for several years.

1488

Borommaracha captures Tavoy (today's Dawei in the far south of Burma). According to historian William Wood, it is not known whether Tavoy at this time is an independent principality or an entity within Ayutthaya which has rebelled.

1488 - 1491

Brother.

1491 - 1529

Brother.

1509

Ramathibodi II orders his vassal, Chewa or Dewa Susa, maharaja of Ligor to attack Pahang. Sultan Mahumed of Malacca comes to the aid of Pahang, quickly defeating Dewa Susa's feeble attack. The maharaja flees to Pahang, then Kalantan, and finally finds his way back to Ligor.

1511

A Portuguese embassy is established soon after the arrival of these first Europeans to visit the region. Meanwhile, the Thais send an envoy to Malacca, where the Portuguese have just established a colony.

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

1515

Ayutthaya defeats the Laotians and captures Lampang, bringing back plenty of booty, including a famous black-stone image of Buddha.

1529 - 1569

Ayutthaya, 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, Ayutthaya's being regained by 1584.

1529 - 1533

Son. Died of smallpox.

1533 - 1534

Son. Succeeded aged five. Killed in coup.

1534

The instability of the government under the child-king provides the opportunity for his uncle, Chairacha, to engineer a coup which kills the boy and hands the throne to his killer.

1534 - 1547

Uncle. Died suddenly, probably poisoned.

1534 - 1547

During Chairacha's reign the Portuguese are significantly allowed to expand their presence. They are also allowed to build a church, while helping the king in his conflicts with the Burmese of Toungoo.

The Toungoo dynasty formed the ruling house in Burma between the fifteenth century and the eighteenth, known more broadly as the 'Second Burmese Empire' period

1540

A major battle occurs between Ayutthaya and Lan Xang during which the city of Vientiane is probably sacked.

1545

Ket Chettharat of Lan Na goes insane, and Saen Dao has him murdered before offering the throne to Prince Mekuti of Mūang Nai. The prince of Theinni sends an army to avenge the murder, requesting Chairacha's help.

While Chairacha's army is making its way towards Chiang Mai, the opposition to Saen Dao has obtained support from Lan Xang, and it is their army which first reaches the capital. Saen Dao is executed, and Princess Chiraprapha is installed as regent. When Chairacha reaches the capital he finds the situation resolved, so he returns home after receiving a warm welcome from the princess.

1546

Chiraprapha repulses several attempts to overthrow her. Prince Mekuti of Muang Nai (Mong Nai) and the prince of Yawnghwe are both driven out. Lan Xang attempts to install its eldest son, so Ayutthaya attacks Lan Xang to help Chiraprapha but is defeated and is forced to retreat. Its losses amount to ten thousand men and three thousand boats, and Chiraprapha abdicates in favour of Lan Xang's candidate.

Ayutthaya Historical Park in Thailand once served as the thriving capital of the Ayutthaya kingdom, from 1350 until it was razed to the ground by the Burmese in 1767, leaving majestic ruins of temples, palaces, and statues

1547

Chairacha dies of a sudden illness, most likely the victim of poisoning by one of his consorts, Thao Sri Suda Chan. Her son succeeds to the throne, the eleven year-old Yot Fa, and the consort becomes the real power. The succession is unusual, passing over Thienracha, the king's younger half-brother who quickly enters a monastery.

1547 - 1548

Son. Died in an accident or through murder.

1547 - 1549

Mother. Princess regent. Overthrown.

1548 - 1549

The princess regent removes all opposition and contrives to make regent her lover, a guard named Phan But Sri Thep. Yot Fa dies mysteriously, with three possible available explanations.

The Luang Prasoet Chronicle calls it an accident. The later Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya state he is executed. The contemporary Portuguese traveller, Pinto, claims he is poisoned.

Phan But Sri Thep succeeds under the reignal name Khun Worawongsa, enjoying a short reign. He and the princess regent are ambushed in January 1549, on their way to view a captured elephant.

Vasco Da Gama was in 1524 the third Portuguese viceroy of India, having already become famous for discovering the sea route to India via the Cape of Good Hope

They are beheaded and impaled, and those nobles who carry out the act take Prince Thienracha out of his monastery and install him as king, under the reignal name Chakkraphat. Prince Sri Sin, Chairacha's younger son, is adopted by Chakkraphat.

1548 - 1549

Regent, then king. Usurper. Overthrown.

1549 - 1569

Brother of Chairacha. Killed by Burmese.

1563

Patani as the successor to Kota Mahligai becomes tributary to Ayutthaya and remains so as long as Ayutthaya and its successors have strong kings. During a Burmese invasion of Ayutthaya the king calls for the help of his powerful vassal, which Patani remains. Patani sends an army and a fleet of two hundred ships.

When Ayutthaya's army is defeated and withdraws, Patani switches sides and briefly occupies the city before the Ayutthayan army returns and expels Patani forces.

The sultan of Patani, Mudhaffar Syah, dies during the fighting to end a particularly strong spell for Patani. From this time until the 1590s the state still remains relatively independent of Ayutthaya however, as Ayutthaya is preoccupied with hostilities against its neighbours.

Today's Pattani province in southern Thailand is known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning natural landscapes, and vibrant local communities as one of four provinces which comprise this far southern area with its diverse population of Thai Buddhists, Thai Muslims, and ethnic Malay Muslims

1568 - 1569

Toungoo invades Ayutthaya for the second time. Chakkraphat is killed, and the Burmese occupy the country for fifteen years. Thousands of Thais are taken prisoner.

This is an important development as one way in which these two under-populated powers obtain labour is by capturing and enslaving people from other countries.

Arakan takes control of Ayutthaya in 1569 and remains its master until 1584. Under the Burmese influence of Toungoo and Arakan, Ayutthaya adopts the Maha Sakarat era, a Hindu calendar era which had started in AD 78 and is used until 1887. The Burmese also introduce their law code, based on the ancient Hindu text, Manu's Code of Laws.

1569

Son.

1569 - 1590

Burmese vassal.

1590

Pra Naret, or the Black Prince, has been held hostage in Toungoo and has married the sister of his King Bayinnaung. Now he is allowed to go home, where he is enthroned under the reignal name of Naresuan. He expels the Burmese and invades Toungoo, taking a couple of ports but unable to occupy the entire country.

The 'Emperor's Cave' (Tham Chakapat) is a Siamese-era temple cave which is located on top of a sandstone mountain, tucked away in the rolling hills of Phrae

1590 - 1605

Son. Fought the Khmer. Defeated the Burmese.

1592

The Thais begin a long relationship with the Japanese, who begin to move into the country seeking trade opportunities. The Japanese assume a privileged living status which is similar to that enjoyed by Europeans in Asian and African lands, and they attain a fearsome reputation as soldiers. The Japanese position is maintained until 1632, when popular resentment massacres and expels them.

1593 - 1597

The Burmese are defeated at the battle of Nong Sarai in 1593. Ayutthaya regains its strength, invades the Khmer, occupies the country between 1593-1595, and razes the capital at Longvek in 1594.

Ayutthaya's overlordship here is briefly lost until 1603, and the Khmer are reduced to a permanently weak partner with respect to their neighbours. That status in essence survives into the modern period. Members of the remaining royal family individually attempt to seek political alliances and advantages.

Songkhla (Singora or Singgora) is a city which today lies in Songkhla province in southern Thailand, near the border with Malaysia

1601 - 1612

The Dutch visit Patani and conclude a trade agreement in 1601 after which they establish a trading factory. Within about a year the Thais are planning to sabotage Dutch trading efforts but are foiled by a Dutch ruse which makes it appear that their forces are stronger than they really are.

The Dutch next visit Ayutthaya, in 1603, hoping to open trading opportunities with Japan. Shogun Ieyasu in 1604 grants three licenses to Japanese traders in Thai lands. The Portuguese enter the competition in 1607 by sending a Jesuit missionary.

The Thais are granted trading privileges in Japan in 1612. Throughout the seventeenth century, much intrigue accompanies trade activity between Thais, Europeans, Japanese, and Chinese.

1605 - 1610/11

Brother.

1610? - 1611

Son. May not have ruled. Executed by half-brother.

1610/1611

Prince Si Sin executes his half-brother, Si Saowaphak to claim the throne, and it is unclear whether the dead prince has attained the throne at all. Si Sin becomes king under the reignal name of Songtham.

Wat Tham Chetawan in Thailand's Na Noi district, part of the former principality of Nan, arose from neglect to become a leading Buddhist sanctuary through the devotion of Kruba Noi, with architecture blending traditions from Lan Na and Burma

1610/11 - 1628

Brother. Killed half-brother to secure the throne.

1610/11 - 1612

Unhappy Japanese merchants seize the king soon after he ascends the throne and he has to be rescued by Buddhist monks. The future King Prasat Thong drives out the Japanese after which, in 1612, English traders begin to arrive and receive permission to trade in the kingdom. Their enterprise is not profitable so it closes in 1624.

1614 - 1617

Ava loses a war with Ayutthaya and has to cede Chiang Mai, Martaban, and many other locations to the victorious Thai forces, increasing Ayutthaya's importance.

1621 - 1622

Late in his reign, Chettha of the Khmer moves the capital to the better-defended location of Udong and ceases to pay tribute to Ayutthya now that he has an alliance through marriage with the Dai Viet royal family under its figurehead king, Lê Thần Tổng.

Songtham of Ayutthya swiftly invades with three armies, all of which converge on Udong. With Dai Viet military support during a desperate defence, the Thai armies are fought and repulsed but Songtham returns in 1622 to continue his attack. Again he is defeated but Dai Viet forces the handover of two areas for its military bases.

The Trịnh lord's palace in Hanoi was not only his abode, it was also his place of work and was therefore an extravagant symbol of the family's power and wealth

1628 - 1629

Son. Executed.

1629

Brother. Executed.

1629 - 1656

Possible cousin. Usurper. Founded Prasat Thong dynasty.

1629

Ayutthaya experiences an early consequence of Japan's new period of international isolation when Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu refuses to recognise Prasat Thong's ambassador because the king is a usurper.

Patani begins a period of extended revolt against Ayutthaya after Prasat Thong seizes its throne too. Patani is emboldened by its new friendship with Johor, Pahang, and the Portuguese in Malacca, all of whom are united in facing the threat of the growing power of Aceh. Patani even captures some southern Ayutthaya ports.

1630 - 1633

Prasat Thong uses as his tools murder, especially of the prominent Yamada Nagamasa, and forced exile in order to eliminate all Japanese presence from Ayutthaya.

Two Dutch ships shown in a reprinted Japanese woodblock, with Nagasaki their only permitted port of entry during the early modern Edo era

1634 - 1636

Patani repulses a huge Ayutthaya invasion force with the help of Portuguese from Malacca. Ayutthaya attempts a second invasion in 1635 but has to withdraw when the rice harvest fails and the soldiers are needed to plant a new crop. Patani abandons its rebellion in 1636 and resumes paying tribute to Ayutthaya.

1646 - 1649

The three southern states of Kedah, Singora, and Patani revolt against the overlordship of Ayutthaya and are not restored to its control until 1649.

1656

Much succession-related manoeuvring takes place during the year in which Prasat Thong dies. Chai succeeds him as his son, contrary to normal Thai tradition. The late king's brother, Prince Sudharmmaraja, conspires with his nephew, Prince Narai, to overthrow and execute Chai.

Sudharmmaraja takes the throne but the conspirators quickly fall out. Narai takes over to become one of the greatest Thai kings and the last of the Prasat Thong dynasty.

La Porta de Santiago in the 1900s, surviving in what was Portuguese Malacca (now Malaysia) survives thanks to Sir Stamford Raffles, who halted the destruction by British troops of the Portuguese city wall during a brief interregnum between 1795-1818 when Britain ruled Malacca for the first time

1656

Son. Deposed and executed.

1656

Uncle. Deposed and executed.

1656 - 1688

Nephew. Established first French embassy.

1662

Frightened by persecution of Roman Catholics in Dai Viet, French missionaries go instead to Ayutthaya, where Narai warmly welcomes them. The king is motivated by the Dutch threat to Thai trade.

The prince of Pyay (Prome) rebels against Ava's ruler, taking that throne for himself. He chooses the reignal name Maha Pawara Dhamma Raja. The commotion which ensues from this change brings about the expulsion of all Chinese from the country. Thousands of Mon also flee and are welcomed in Ayutthaya.

1670 - 1674

Patani has the advantage of better-equipped and trained soldiers in a war against Singora between 1670-1671. But, in 1673, when Patani again revolts against Ayutthaya's overlordship, Narai puts down the rebellion by 1674, eliminates the Patani elite, and captures Raja Mansur, taking him back to Ayutthaya.

For much of its existence the principality of Nakhon Si Thammarat was a vassal to greater regional powers until the latest of those - Siam - was able to absorb it fully

1688

Greek adventurer Constance Phaulkon gains influence at court and is made superintendent of foreign trade (1683), but his power antagonises the nobility. This is not helped when he puts to the French a plan to have priests disguised as civilians who then can infiltrate Thai society and convert the king and population to Catholicism so they can more easily be controlled.

The king falls ill in 1688 and, while he is away from the capital, the nobles overthrow Phaulkon. As a result of the French machinations in Ayutthaya, the country turns to isolationism.

1688 - 1703

Cousin. Usurper. Ban Phlu Luang dynasty.

1694 - 1704

The last effective ruler of Lan Xang now dies, and 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 power 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).

The Tay Son dynasty was founded by three Nguyễn brothers (who were not connected to the lords of the same name) who rebelled against all of the major parties in Dai Viet's confused political situation, sweeping two of them away and almost destroying a third

1703 - 1709

Son.

1709 - 1733

Son.

1720

Having been a vassal of Dai Viet since 1710 thanks to its internecine internal disputes, the Khmer now become vassal of Ayutthaya and will remain so until 1834 while its internal in-fighting continues.

1733 - 1758

Brother.

1758

Borommakot's death prompts a squabble for the succession. The eldest son, Anurak Montri, had been required to enter a monastery and the king had designated as vice-ruler another son, Prince Phon Phinit.

Three half-brothers of these two try to gain the throne, but they are executed and Phon Phinit agrees to take the throne, under the reignal name Uthumphon. Only one month later the new king abdicates, and Anurak Montri assumes the throne even though he prefers being a monk.

While the Mac of Dai Viet were refusing to give up dreams of ruling a united Viet country, their Ming overlords were being replaced by the intruding Manchu

1758

Son. Quickly abdicated.

1758 - 1767

Brother. Captured & deported with family to Ava.

1760

When Alaungpaya of Ava had recaptured in 1752 what is now southern Burma from the Mons, they had fled into Ayutthaya, emptying the area. Now he attempts to get them back because he needs their labour. He invades Ayutthaya, but the Thais prevail. Alaungpaya is wounded and dies as his troops retreat

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 the Thai territories in a power vacuum. The city of Ayyuthaya never regains its prominence.

The kingdom breaks into five strongholds, each under a prince or general. The most enduring of these is established in today's south-western Thailand by General Taksin who has to flee to Krung Thonburi (in 1769), where he promotes himself to the rank of king.

General Phaya Taksin of Ayutthya soon announced his own state at Krung Thonburi, although it would only be short-lived

In the farthest north forms Sawangburi to be ruled by a warlord or chao ('prince') named Phra Fang. To the south and west of Sawangburi on Thonburi's northern border, in today's western-central Thailand, is Phitsanulok which is ruled by Rueang Rojanakun.

To the east of Phitsanulok and Thonburi, in today's central Thailand, is Phimai which is under Prince Thepphiphit. On the Malay peninsula in today's southern Thailand, to the south of Thonburi, is Nakhon Si Thammarat which is ruled by Phrachao Kahttlarachanikom. Full unity will take around two hundred years to achieve.