Page 293 - A History of Siam

A HISTORT OF SIAM
275
King Rama I died on the 7th of December, 1809, aged
His the Maha
seventy-two. younger brother, Uparat
"
or Second King," had died in 1803, and he was suc-
ceeded by his son, Prince Isara Sunt'orn, now known as
King Rama II. 1
King Rama II was born on February 26th, 1768, and
of when he became
was, therefore, forty-one years age
King. He had had great experience both in administra-
tive and military matters, having for many years taken a

prominent part in the Government, and having, since he
was a small his father on his
boy, accompanied campaigns.
In 1810 the Burmese invaded the
again Peninsula,
captured the island of Puket, and besieged Jump'orn. An
army of 20,000 men was sent against them, and they were
expelled without great difficulty.
In 1811 Rama II a Decree
King published absolutely
forbidding the sale or consumption of opium. This
Law does not ever to have been
appear properly enforced,
and in time became a dead letter.
In the Siamese were sent
following year (1812) troops
to Cambodia, the King of that country, P'ra Ut'ai Raja,
shown of disaffection. P'ra Ut'ai retired
having signs
to Cochin-China, but was later restored.
About the same time the Raja of Kelantan, who had
been to the Sultan of
previously subject Trengganu,
and asked leave to send the
quarrelled with the latter,
usual tribute of and silver trees to Kelantan
gold Bangkok.
was accordingly acknowledged as a separate tributary
State, and placed under the control of the Governor of
Nak'on Srit'ammarat, who at that time exercised the
powers of a semi-independent Viceroy over the Siamese
of the Peninsula.
part
He is often called by the posthumous title of Fra Futt'a Loet La Nop'alai.
*In English official documents of the period, he is usually referred to as the
Rajah of Ligor.