Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1113
Suryavarman II commences the construction of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the mother of all
temples and the world's largest religious building; it is dedicated to Vishnu and designed
as Suryavarman's funerary temple.
1238
Sukhothai (Land of Rising Happiness) is born, considered the first Thai kingdom in what
is contemporary Thailand. It begins to exert pressure on the ailing Khmer empire.
1353
Lao prince Fa Ngum is sponsored by his Khmer father-in-law on an expedition to conquer
the new Thai kingdoms, declaring himself leader of Lan Xang Hom Khao (Land of a Milli-
on Elephants and the White Parasol).
1431
The expansionist Thais sack Angkor definitively, carting of most of the royal court, in-
cluding nobles, priests, dancers and artisans, to Ayuthaya. It's an irrevocable spiritual and
cultural loss to Cambodia.
1516
Portuguese traders land at Danang, sparking the start of European interest in Vietnam.
They set up a trading post in Faifo (present-day Hoi An) and introduce Catholicism to the
Vietnamese.
1560
King Setthathirat moves the capital of Lan Xang (modern-day Laos) from Luang Prabang
to Viang Chan, today known as Vientiane.
1767
Following several centuries of military rivalry, the Burmese sack the Thai capital of Ay-
uthaya, forcing its relocation to Thonburi, then to the present-day location of Bangkok.
1772
Cambodia is caught between the powerful Vietnamese and Siamese; the latter burn Ph-
nom Penh to the ground, another chapter in the story of inflamed tensions that persist
today.
Search WWH ::
Custom Search