Page 127 - A History of Siam

A HISTORY OF SIAM
123
for defence. This did to the
prepare King Chakrap'at
best of his ; but the time at his was short
ability disposal
and his resources
scanty.
In December a Burmese 1 the which
1568, army, largest
had invaded met with
yet Siam, arrived at Ayut'ia, having
no on the
practically opposition way.
Maha T'ammaraja, needless to say, accompanied the
Burmese army. The Princess Regent of Chiengmai was
also compelled to send troops to assist.
In January 1569 King Chakrap'at died. He fell ill
almost immediately after the commencement of the
His at the time of his death was
siege. age sixty-two.
"
Pinto of this He was a who
says King : religious man,
had no knowledge of arms or of war, and withal of a
a and ill-beloved of his
cowardly disposition, tyrant,
But who left Siam before
subjects." Pinto, probably
King Chakrap'at's accession, can have had no good
grounds for so harsh a judgment. The author pictures
this King as a weak, good-natured man ; generous to his
friends ; merciful, as shown by his conduct to Prince
Sri Sin, a dangerous rival. He seems always to have
tried to do his best for his country in very difficult
circumstances, and he occupies no unworthy place among
the Kings of Siam.
The new King, Mahin, gave up all attempt to conduct
the defence of the and devoted himself to
city, puerile
in the hands of
amusements, leaving everything P'ya
Ram. He could not have done for
better, P'ya Ram,
assisted by several other nobles, put up a stubborn defence,
and inflicted severe damage on the enemy. The King's
young brother, Sri Sawaraja, a mere lad, also greatly
himself his and
distinguished by bravery military capacity.
1 CaRsar Frederick, who was in Burma at the time, says that the Burmese army
numbered 1,400,000 men. Their losses were 500,000. (Purchas) Ralph Fitch
says 300,000 men and 5,000 elephants. The P'ongsawadan says 1,000,000 men.