Period Two

Ayuthaya Kingdom

Raise of the Empire

The kingdom of Ayuthaya was established in 1350 AD by King U-Thong , Ramathibodi I. it should last for 417 years and see five dynasties raise and a total of 33 kings should rule this powerful empire until its fall.

Prince U-thong was born 1314 AD in Chiang Saen and was married to a daughter of the ruling family of Suphanburi. In 1350 AD, he found Ayuthaya and crowned himself as king under the title Ramathibodi on March 4, 1351 AD. he made Theravada Buddhism the state religion directly from the beginning of his kingdom. He placed his brothers as rulers of the important cities of Lopburi and Suphanburi and established good connections between the Tai in the west, the Khmer in the east and the Chinese and Malay merchants.So, this powerful empire was a lot based on his diplomacy.

King Ramathibodi I established Ayuthaya at a strategic well chosen place as it had a natural defense wall as an island in the Chaophraya. This location made it suitable for trade, transportation and commerce. In 1365 AD, he took over the weakened Sukhothai and the towns of Lopburi and Chainat.

After his death, his son Ramesuan ascended only for a year the throne and abdicated then in favour for his uncle King Borommaracha I who found the Supphanaphum Dynasty.