Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the former Khmer empire) and a fundamental role in organising the modern Thai state and
social structure.
With a strategic island location formed by encircling rivers, Ayuthaya grew wealthy
through international trade during the 17th century's age of commerce and fortified itself
with superior Portuguese-supplied firearms and mercenaries. The river system connected
to the Gulf of Thailand and to the hinterlands as well.
This is the period when Western traders 'discovered' Southeast Asia, and Ayuthaya
hosted many foreign settlements. Accounts by foreign visitors mention Ayuthaya's cos-
mopolitan markets and court. In 1690 Londoner Engelbert Campfer proclaimed, 'Among
the Asian nations, the kingdom of Siam is the greatest'.
Ayuthaya adopted Khmer court customs, honorific language and ideas of kingship. The
monarch styled himself as a Khmer
devaraja
(divine king) rather than Sukhothai's
dham-
maraja
(righteous king); Ayuthaya continued to pay tribute to the Chinese emperor, who
rewarded this ritualistic submission with generous gifts and commercial privileges.
The kingdom functioned according to a strict and complex hierarchy, much of which
was defined by King Trailok (r 1448-88). Elaborate lists of official posts with specific
titles and ranks were established. Individual social status was measured in numerical units
of how much land one possessed. Fines and punishments were proportional to the per-
son's rank. Ayuthaya society consisted of royalty, nobility and commoners. Commoners
were further divided into freemen and slaves. Freemen were assigned to a royal or noble
overseer. For six months of each year they owed labour to the ruling elite, doing personal
errands, public works or military service. Despite the clear social hierarchy, social mobil-
ity was possible, depending on personal skills, connections (including marriage) and royal
favour. These societal divisions highlight the feudal elements that persist in Thai society
today.
The glories of Ayuthaya were interrupted by the expansionist Burmese. In 1569 the city
had fallen to the great Burmese king, Bayinnaung, but regained independence under the
leadership of King Naresuan. Then, in 1765, Burma's ambitious and newly established
Kongbaung dynasty pushed eastward to eliminate Ayuthaya as a political and commercial
rival. Burmese troops laid siege to the capital for a year before destroying it in 1767. The
city was devastated, its buildings and people wiped out. The surrounding areas were
deserted. So chilling was this historic sacking and razing of Ayuthaya that the perception
of the Burmese as ruthless aggressors still persists in the minds of many Thais to this day.
