Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Lao prince Chao Fa Ngum ends his Angkor exile and is sponsored by his Khmer father-in-
law on an expedition to conquer the new Thai kingdoms, declaring himself leader of Lan
Xang (Land of a Million Elephants).
1431
The Thais sack Angkor definitively, carting of most of the royal court to Ayuthaya, includ-
ing nobles, priests, dancers and artisans.
1594
Temporary Cambodian capital of Lovek falls when, legend says, the Siamese fire a cannon
of silver coins into its bamboo defences. Soldiers cut down the bamboo to retrieve the sil-
ver, leaving the city exposed.
1772
Cambodia is caught between the powerful Vietnamese and Siamese, and the latter burn
Phnom Penh to the ground, another chapter in the story of inflamed tensions, which per-
sist today.
1834
The Vietnamese take control of much of Cambodia during the reign of Emperor Minh
Mang and begin a slow revolution to 'teach the barbarians their customs'.
1863
The French force King Norodom I into signing a treaty of protectorate, which prevents
Cambodia being wiped of the map and thus begins 90 years of French rule.
1884
Rebellion against French rule in Cambodia erupts in response to a treaty giving French ad-
ministrators wide-ranging powers. The treaty is signed under the watch of French gun-
boats in the Mekong River.
1907
French authorities successfully negotiate the return of the northwest provinces of Siem
Reap, Battambang and Preah Vihear, which have been under Thai control since 1794.
1942
Japanese forces occupy Cambodia, leaving the administration in the hands of Vichy
France officials, but fan the flames of independence as the war draws to a close.
