Page 68 - A History of Siam

A HISTORY OF SIAM
64
At the time of the foundation of Ayut'ia, according to
the Siamese annals, King Rama T'ibodi's dominions were
of great extent, including the whole of the kingdom of
Suk'ot'ai. We know, however, that this is an exaggera-

tion. Suk'ot'ai, though declining in power, was still
an ruled over Loet'ai.
independent State, by King
King Rama T'ibodi probably held sway over the
districts of Ayut'ia, Lopburi, Sup'an, Ratburi, P'etcha-
buri, Nak'on Srit'ammarat, Singora, Chantabun (con-
from and He
quered Cambodia), Tenasserim, Tavoy.
had even extended his as far as and
conquests Malacca,
was thus the first King of Siam to rule over a Malay
State.
Those who have visited the ruins of and have
Ayut'ia
seen the remains of mighty walls and ramparts, and the
ruins of magnificent temples and pagodas, must not sup-
that all these date from the time of Rama
pose King
T'ibodi I. In his time was a small
Ayut'ia very city,
with a wall of mud, and the buildings, including the
Royal Palace, were constructed of timber. The brick
of which still be was built
wall, parts may seen, by King
and the the ruins of which
Chakrap'at (1548)' Palace,
are still discernible, dates from the time of King Trail-
okanat
(1448).
Early in his reign as King of Ayut'ia King Rama
T'ibodi installed his brother-in-law, Prince P'angoa, as
Governor of with the title of
Sup'an, Boromoraja Chao,
and his own son, Prince Ramesuen, was appointed
Governor of The was
Lopburi. King only thirty-seven
of at that so Prince Ramesuen must have
years age time,
been a mere lad.
It seems likely that King Rama T'ibodi, when still
Prince of Ut'ong, had had occasion to measure his
l
The walls of Ayut'ia were restored by King Prasat T'ong in 1634.