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During the encirclement of Ayuthaya by the Burmese, General Taksin and
his army escaped and with armies and supplies from vassal states in
East Thailand was able to regain independence for the Siamese within 6 months.
The Kingdom of Siam was fragmented but after the establishment by Taksin of the
new capital in Bangkok Taksin was able to wrest control back to the new Kingdom of Siam.
Taksin tackled the problems of consolidation of the Siam Empire, wars with
Cambodia and Burma, as well as domestic economic and administrative
issues. This Taksin did as well as restore national identity with religion
and the arts.
Taksin selected Bangkok as the new capital as it was impossible to
restore Ayutthaya to its original condition and secure its defences for
the future. Bangkok had excellent forts and its location was an
important point of entry for foreign trade [ and weapons ]. In 1773
King Taksin commanded the renovation of the city and named it Krung
Thonburi. Thonburi remained the capital for 15 years.
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| The Taksin Monument, Thonburi, Bangkok |
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| In 1781 there was
a rebellion against King Taksin and he was executed in April 1782. The
method of execution was, as for nobility, was to be put inside a silk
sack and clubbed to death. Popular myth has it that someone else was
put in the sack and Taksin spent his final years in South Thailand.
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