Thonburi Kingdom
Thailand, 1768–1782. Draft, not yet reviewed
The Thonburi Kingdom was a major Siamese kingdom in Southeast Asia, centred on the city of Thonburi. The kingdom was founded by Taksin, who reunited Siam following the collapse of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, which saw the country separate into five warring regional states. The Thonburi Kingdom lasted for only 14 years, ending in 1782 when Taksin was deposed by a major Thonburi military commander, Chao Phraya Chakri, who subsequently founded the Rattanakosin Kingdom, the fourth and present ruling kingdom of Thailand.
Seat of power: Thonburi Province
Rulers
Taksin
King of Thailand, 1767–1782
He was a Thai Chinese general who became the only King of Thonburi that ruled Siam. He established the city of Thonburi as the new capital, as the city of Ayutthaya had been almost completely destroyed by the invaders. He promoted trade and fostered relations with foreign countries.
Portrait of Taksin: Tmd, CC BY-SA 4.0, file
Culture
- The Thonburi Kingdom saw the consolidation and continued growth of Chinese trade from Qing China and the increased influence of the Chinese community in Siam.
- Apart from restoring and renovating temples, the king attempted to revive literature, and various branches of the arts such as drama, painting, architecture and handicrafts.
Picture
This Buddhist temple stands in Thonburi on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River.
Image: Mastertongapollo, CC BY-SA 4.0, file
Sources
Text adapted from the Wikipedia articles listed as sources, CC BY-SA 4.0.