Fall of Angkor

According to one account in 1431 (another says 1432), the Siamese army besieged and captured Angkor, carrying off large numbers of people, divine images and artisans.

Belligerents

Background

From the 14th century Ayutthaya in the Chao Phraya basin grew increasingly powerful and fought Angkor repeatedly; according to Siamese and Khmer chronicles, Angkor had already been breached several times in the 14th century. Angkor's hydraulic system and economy were already in decline before this.

Course of the battle

1. Siamese advance eastThe Ayutthaya army advanced on Angkor via the Khorat Plateau and the northwest of the Tonle Sap lake.
2. The SiegeAccording to the Siamese chronicles, the siege lasted several months, and people inside opened the gates to the attackers (most details come from later chronicles and are hard to verify).
3. City taken and plunderedAngkor fell, and large numbers of people, monks and divine images were moved to Ayutthaya; some of the bronze statues later found their way to Burma.
4. Royal court moves southWithin a few years the Khmer court abandoned Angkor and moved south to the banks of the Mekong.

Outcome at a glance

Impact

The fall of Angkor marked the westward shift of the center of power on mainland Southeast Asia: the age of the Khmer Empire ended, the Tai states became the dominant power on the Indochinese Peninsula, and Khmer court culture spread to Ayutthaya along with the captives.