Page 277 - A History of Siam

A HISTORT OF SIAM 261
that the Lao welcomed him as a
presume population
deliverer. On reaching Chiengmai, however, he realised
that he was not equipped to undertake a long siege, and
retired after remaining near the city for nine days. He
gave as his reason for this retirement an ancient prophecy
to the effect that no King of Siam could ever capture
Chiengmai on the first attempt.
The Burmese attacked the retreating army, but were
driven back with much the himself
loss, King showing
great courage in this action.
King Narai of Cambodia, true to the tradition of his
who had to trouble Siam when
ancestors, always sought
she was at war with Burma, took advantage of the King
of Siam's absence at Chiengmai to send a filibustering
expedition to attack Chantabun and Trat. This stab
in the back made Taksin determine to dethrone
King
the and his Rama T'ibodi,
culprit, put fugitive rival,
in his He therefore at once invaded Cambodia
place.
at the head of an of backed a fleet
army 15,000 men, by
of 200 vessels. Bantday M'eas, Phnom Penh, Battam-
and Boribun were and the
bang, speedily captured,
Siamese advanced towards Bant&y Pech, 1 at that time
the Narai and Rama T'ibodi
capital. King fled, King
was set up as vassal King of Cambodia. King Narai
retained control of northern Cambodia for a time, but
ultimately submitted to his brother, and was rewarded
by King Taksin with the title of Maha Upayorat, or
vice-King.
The future founder of the
present dynasty greatly
distinguished himself in this campaign. He had recently
been promoted to the rank and title of Chao P'ya
Chakri, and his younger brother had become Chao
P'ya Surasih.
1
About five miles north-east of Phnom Penh;