  Wat Phu Khao Thong, Ayutthaya
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The Wat Phu Khao Thong in Ayutthaya was built around the field which was once a battlefield between the Siamese, headed by King Naresuan, and the Burmese.
The Burmese was a powerful kingdom in the mid 16th century. When King Chakrapat died in 1569, the power of Ayutthaya was at a low ebb. The new King Mahin had just ascended the throne when the Burmese, headed by King Bhueng Noreng, launched an offensive against Ayutthaya (cross reference to Ayutthaya History).
Wat Phu Khao Thong, Ayutthaya (30 December 2002)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
After a siege of ten months, Ayutthaya fell to the Burmese. In celebration of his victory, King Bhueng Noreng constructed a Mon-style pagoda in Ayutthaya. This landmark, the 80m (260ft) Chedi Wat Phu Khao Thong, or Golden Mount, is one of the tallest pagodas in Ayutthaya. It is situated outside the island city, on the northwest, at Wat Wat Phu Khao Thong.
King Mahin and his family were taken prisoner to Burma, while a new King Maha Thammaracha was installed by the Burmese, for Ayutthaya to act as vassal to Burma. Although King Maha Thammaracha came into power with Burmese help, he really wanted them out. So he and his heroic son, Prince Naresuan, began to quietly built up the Siam army.
In 1584, after King Bhueng Noreng had died, Prince Naresuan declared Ayutthaya independence from the Burmese. The Burmese retaliated but failed to recapture Ayutthaya, which finally broke lose from the Burmese yoke. In 1590, King Maha Thammaracha died, and thus Prince Naresuan inherited the throne.
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