Thailand History Guide » King Taksin http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com Mon, 14 Sep 2009 06:14:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 en hourly 1 The Burmese era http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/the-burmese-era/ http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/the-burmese-era/#comments Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:36:13 +0000 thailandhistoryguide http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/?p=811 In 1615, the Burmese King of Ava reestablished control over Lanna, which lasted for more than a century. Actual Burmese presence in the north, however, remained minimal and had very little effect on most of the population. The darkest period in the history of the north began with the rebellion of General Thip, who defeated [...]]]> In 1615, the Burmese King of Ava reestablished control over Lanna, which lasted for more than a century. Actual Burmese presence in the north, however, remained minimal and had very little effect on most of the population. The darkest period in the history of the north began with the rebellion of General Thip, who defeated a Burmese army and proclaimed himself King of Lampang in 1727. His successors eventually ruled in the 19th century, but before that, the King of Ava sent army after army into Lanna and Siam.  After the fall of Ayutthaya, Kawila of Lampang and King Taksin of Thonburi joined forces against the Burmese.  Having reconquered Chiang Mai in 1776, however, the Thais were forced to abandon the impoverished city. Lanna and Laos were decimated by the endless war; towns such as Chiang Saen, Luang Prabang and Vientiane, previously spared by the Burmese, were destroyed by the Thais to prevent their recapture. The strain, accumulated over many hard-fought battles, took its toll on Taksin and affected his mental health. He becamc eccentric and cruel toward his subordinates. In 1782, an elite group of officials led by Phya San rebelled, forcing Taksin to abdicate.

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]]> http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/the-burmese-era/feed/ 0 Chakri Dynasty http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/chakri-dynasty/ http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/chakri-dynasty/#comments Sun, 28 Sep 2008 15:53:59 +0000 thailandhistoryguide http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/?p=790 In March 1782 a revolt broke out against King Taksin, who was thought to have become insane.  He was replaced by a prominent military commander who, as King Rama I, founded the Chakri Dynasty and, for strategic reasons, moved the seat of government across the Chao Phraya River to a small trading port known as [...]]]> In March 1782 a revolt broke out against King Taksin, who was thought to have become insane.  He was replaced by a prominent military commander who, as King Rama I, founded the Chakri Dynasty and, for strategic reasons, moved the seat of government across the Chao Phraya River to a small trading port known as Bangkok.  King Rama IV, or King Mongkut, is best known as the hero of The King and I. 

King Mongkut

King Mongkut

To the Thais, however, he is remembered as on of the most far-sighted Chakri rulers, who negotiated important treaties with European powers, introduced modern sciences, and set his kingdom on the part to reforms that undoubtedly helped save it from the colonial fate that befell all its immediate negighbors.  During his reign from 1868 to 1910, King Rama V, or King Chulalongkorn as he is better know, carried his father’s reforms further.  He abolished slavery, reorganized the governmental system, and built the first railways. 

RAMA V Surrounded by his family, this portrait was painted by the Italian artist Gelli.

RAMA V Surrounded by his family, this portrait was painted by the Italian artist Gelli.

The first Thai king to visit European capitals, Rama V also sent most of his sons abroad for futher education Foreced by France to concede some of his territory to Cambodia, Rama V also had to relinquish sovereignty over Laos.  Thus he was able to preserve his country’s independence.

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]]> http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/chakri-dynasty/feed/ 0 Thonburi http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/thonburi/ http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/thonburi/#comments Sun, 28 Sep 2008 15:30:13 +0000 thailandhistoryguide http://www.thailandhistoryguide.com/?p=788 The fall of Ayutthaya

Shortly after King Ekatat assumed the throne in 1758, Ayutthaya was attacked once more by the Burmese under King Alaungpaya.  A second invasion led by Alaungpaya’s son, Hsinbyushin, succeeded in capturing Ayutthaya, after a siege lasting more than a year.  The city was burned and looted by the victors and more than [...]]]> The fall of Ayutthaya

Shortly after King Ekatat assumed the throne in 1758, Ayutthaya was attacked once more by the Burmese under King Alaungpaya.  A second invasion led by Alaungpaya’s son, Hsinbyushin, succeeded in capturing Ayutthaya, after a siege lasting more than a year.  The city was burned and looted by the victors and more than 30,000 of its inhabitants were taken to Burma.  Son of a Chinese father and a Thai mother, the future King Taksin was a military officer at the time of Ayutthaya’s fall.  Within seven months he managed to rally Thai forces, expel the Burmese from the ruins of the city, and establish a new capital at Thonburi, further down the Chao Phraya River.

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