Page 204 - A History of Siam

A HISTORT OF SUM
194
to which the most diverse evidence exists. In the end,
however, they were forced, owing to shortage of supplies
and the existence of a famine in Burma, to retire back to
Siam.
This was the last important invasion of Burmese

territory by a Siamese army. The results were of no
lasting importance. Pegu fell back almost at once under
Burmese rule, but a less harsh policy was adopted
towards the Peguans, lest they might again appeal to Siam
for aid.
As for Chiengmai, King Narai seems to have made no
attempt to maintain his ascendancy there. In 1663
P'ya Sen Mliang died and the Burmese Prince of Prome
was to which remained
appointed govern Chiengmai,
under the rule of Burmese Princes until 1727.
It must be admitted that King Narai's wars were quite
devoid of any useful results.
The re-establishment of an at
English factory Ayut'ia
was to the Dutch, who had had almost
very displeasing
the whole trade of Siam in their hands for about
forty
years. Moreover, the system of Royal monopolies,
instituted by King Songt'am and consolidated by King
Prasat T'ong, whereby the King controlled all the princi-
articles of such as tin and
pal commerce, hides, timber,
did not suit them at all. in demanded
Early 1664 they
various commercial and on to
special privileges, failing
sent a which blockaded the mouth
obtain these, they
fleet,
1
It seems impossible to find out the truth about these events. Siamese history
says that the Siamese besieged Ava. Burmese history makes out that the Siamese
never got beyond Pegu, where they were defeated and driven back to Siam,
King Narai's son, P'ya Win, being killed. King Narai was at that time twenty-
The history of Pegu
nine years old, so certainly had no son of military age.
(Siamese translation) says that the Siamese reached Pagan, but this translation
bears signs of having been touched up to make it agree with the Siamese version.
The date is given in Burmese history as 1663 (May), but the Dutch Governor-
"
General at Batavia, writing on December isth, 1662, says : The King has
subjugated many districts and strong towns, among others the Principality of
Martavan, and will probably march on ... to subdue the royal city Ava."
This definitely fixes the Siamese invasion of Pegu as having taken place in the
latter half of 1662.