Thailand, which might otherwise have been courted…

Thailand, which might otherwise have been courted as an ally against Vietnamese incursions in the eighteenth century, is itself involved in a new conflict with Burma.

In 1767 the Thai capital of Ayutthaya is besieged and destroyed.

The Thai quickly recover, however, and soon reassert their dominion over Cambodia.

The youthful Khmer king, Ang Eng (1779-96), a refugee at the Thai court, is installed as monarch at Odongk by Thai troops.

At the same time, Thailand quietly annexes Cambodia's three northernmost provinces.

In addition, the local rulers of the northwestern provinces of Battambang and Siemreab (Siemreap) become vassals of the Thai king, and these areas come under the Thai sphere of influence.