Page 75 - A History of Siam

A HISTORY OF SUM 71

Hongwou, first Emperor of the Ming dynasty. This
Emperor made Nankin his capital, and thither, in the
the Siamese
year 1371, repaired Ambassadors, with a
letter announcing that King Boromoraja had taken over
the government from his nephew, King Ramesuen, who
was unable to control the people.
Cordial relations with China were continued through-
out this In the a Siamese
reign. year 1373 Princess,
the mother of the sent
probably ex-King Ramesuen,
to Nankin, who were well received the
envoys by
Emperor and Empress ; later, in 1384, the King's
Prince Nak'on In 1 of sent
nephew, (later King Siam),
with to the who received
envoys presents Imperial pair,
them and in return.
graciously, despatched gifts
In a son of the Ramesuen sent an
1375 ex-King
embassy to Nankin, and in the same year Prince Nak'on
In visited Nankin in and back an auto-
person, brought
letter from the to
graphed Emperor King Boromoraja.
While King Boromoraja was cultivating friendly
relations with China, he was nearer home in
occupied
the dominions of his the of
subjugating neighbour, King
Suk'ot'ai.
The two Tai Kingdoms, as may be supposed, could
not continue to exist side by side. The weaker was
bound to succumb. The continual escape of slaves into
the free State of Suk'ot'ai was doubtless a cause of
friction.
Whatever the excuse for war may have been, we find
King Boromoraja in 1371, shortly after his accession,
Suk'ot'ai and several towns. In
invading capturing
1372 he made further annexations, and in 1373 he invested
the western of the Suk'ot'ai
Kamp'engp'et, outpost
1 This title means " Prince of Int'aburi." The town of Int'aburi, which still
exists, was at that time under Sup'an.