Borommaracha II: The Ayutthaya King Who Destroyed Angkor

In 1431, the Khmer Empire's centuries-old capital fell to a foreign army. But who led that conquest? This episode zooms in on Borommaracha II, the Ayutthayan king whose campaign against Angkor is often reduced to a footnote. We explore the political landscape of 15th-century mainland Southeast Asia—the rise of Ayutthaya under the Uthong dynasty, the strategic use of Mon and Lao mercenaries, and the brutal siege tactics that overwhelmed Angkor's legendary walls. Drawing on Thai chronicles like the Luang Prasoet and the Royal Autograph version, we unpack the contradictions: why did Ayutthaya sack Angkor but not occupy it? What role did internal Khmer succession disputes play? And how did Borommaracha II's victory catalyze the Khmer court's move to Phnom Penh, setting the stage for modern Cambodia? We also touch on the forgotten battle of Samrong, the use of war elephants in the assault, and the mysterious fate of Ponhea Yat. A fresh look at the moment the Khmer Empire truly ended. #BorommarachaII #Ayutthaya #KhmerEmpire #Angkor1431 #SiegeOfAngkor #PonheaYat #UthongDynasty #Samrong #WarElephants #KhmerHistory #ThaiHistory #PhnomPenh #SoutheastAsianHistory #MedievalWarfare #FexingoHistory #History #Podcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo