Page 79 - A History of Siam

A HISTORY OF SIAM 75

Judged by modern standards, the murder of this boy
King, and other similar deeds which deface the annals
of the Kings of Ayut'ia, were cruel and atrocious crimes.
It must be remembered, however, that the law of suc-
cession in Siam was very vague, and it may have been

thought better to sacrifice one life even a King's life
rather than to run the risk of disturbances which might
cause great bloodshed and throw the whole realm into
confusion. In regard to this matter, moreover, the
of Siam has to fear from with
history nothing comparison
that of neighbouring countries. As late as 1879, King
Theebaw his of the throne of
signalised usurpation
Burma by the most brutal massacres of his many relatives.
He murdered about as many Princes in a single day as
were accounted for by all the Kings of Siam put
together.
to which he
King Ramesuen thus resumed the throne,
was without doubt as the son of the founder
entitled, being
of
Ayut'ia.
About two after Ramesuen 's second ac-
years King
cession, the young King of Chiengmai, Sen Miiang Ma,
came down at the head of an army to assist the vassal
King of Suk'ot'ai to throw off his allegiance. According
to the
Chiengmai chronicle, King T'ammaraja requested
the aid of the of Chiengmai ; but this would
King appear
to have been a for the was
merely ruse, Chiengmai army
suddenly attacked by night by the Suk'ot'ai forces, and
with loss. The of
dispersed great young King Chiengmai
himself only just managed to escape through the faith-
fulness of two of his servants, who carried him on their
backs, turn and turn about. As a reward, titles and land
were conferred upon them, and they signalised their rise
to two of white
greatness by setting up figures elephants
outside one of the of ; these can be seen
gates Chiengmai