Page 276 - A History of Siam

260 A HISTORT OF SUM

for he believed that all his actions were
firmly directly
influenced and controlled by a higher Power.
We may assume that King Taksin had by this time
realised a which seems to have the notice
fact, escaped
of most of his that there never
predecessors, namely
could be for the and of
any security peace prosperity
Siam so as the Lao which had formed the
long States,
ancient Kingdom of Lannat'ai, remained under Burmese
rule.
We have seen in the last chapter that the Burmese,
since the rise of their new dynasty, had adopted more
ruthless methods of warfare. It seems that their methods
of races had likewise become less
governing subject
sympathetic. The Lao States had been, off and on,
under Burmese rule for over two hundred and do
years,
not to have felt the bear
appear yoke very heavily upon
them. But under the new Burmese Military Governors
were different. We read in the of
things quite History
"
Chiengmai that the Burmese rulers in every part of
Lannat'ai oppressed and ill-treated the people in many
ways, and the people suffered very grievously. Some
fled and dwelt in the forests and and some
jungles,
formed themselves into robber bands and fought
together."
The Burmese Governor, Ap'ai Kamini, died in 1769,
and was succeeded by a man named Bo Mayu Nguan.
He his of office an
signalised assumption by sending
to attack Sawank'alok. The Governor of
expedition
Sawank'alok held out for a month, at the end of which
time a large army from P'itsanulok arrived, and drove
the Burmese back across the frontier.
King Taksin then assumed command in person, and
made up his mind to capture Chiengmai. He reached
without much and we
Chiengmai opposition, may