ANGKOR and I

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Ayutthaya dynasty it was a serene time for Cambodia, with no war against Siam. King Sattha (1579-1595) the grandson of King Chan Reachea moved to Angkor, and occasionally resided within the city of Angkor Thom. Missionaries from Europe visiting Angkor in the 17th century noted that at the top of the five spires of Angkor Wat, the gold that was used as coloring still endured. The Cambodians had not forgotten the exalted history of Angkor and its ruins, which had been bequeathed by their ancestors. When we study the fact that in the latter half of the 16th century, King Sattha set up residence in Angkor, and left behind in Angkor Wat inscriptions dedicated to Theravada Buddhism, I guess we may say he was an individual incessantly aware of a great people’s past. Details as to when Angkor Wat transformed into a Theravada Buddhist temple, are unknown. The Crisis of Ethnic Survival between Vietnam and Siam Since the 15th century Cambodia had been politically harried in the west by Siam (Thailand) and in the east by Vietnam, and since the latter half of the 18th century it had barely retained the facade of a kingdom. In reality though it was under the control of both nations, and around 1860 the domain of the King of Cambodia extended only to the vicinity of Oudong, the royal capital. The northwest area of Cambodia was occupied by Siam, and the south including the Mekong River Delta was virtually dominated by Vietnam. When wars broke out between the two nations scores of villagers in Cambodia were forced to flee, and due to abductions that occurred the population decreased, and the power of the nation steadily declined. Thousands of Cambodian villagers were rallied to dig canals and clear forests, and many collapsed due to the hostile climate. Due to ongoing wars with both neighboring countries and domestic political turmoil, the fertile rice fields in the plains were left unattended. Villagers hid in the 109