Ang Chan I

Chan Reachea was the second son of King Dhamma Reachea II, who was the half-brother of Srei Sokunbot, who reigned in Tuol Basan (now: Kampong Cham). Chan Reachea, named Chao Ponhea Chan, was the governor of Chaktomuk district at the age of 24. He was forced to leave Chaktomuk by Srei Chedtha, who was deported in 1504 AD to the Khmer-Siamese border area. During his daily life in the Khmer-Siamese border area, he became an elephant charmer for "Ponhea Ang Dhamma Khat", the son of "Srei Reachea" and also the son adoption of the Siamese king. In 1512 AD, King Korn raised an army to conquer the capital Tuol Basan and defeated the expulsion of Srei Sokunbot from the capital to set up a fort in Stung Sen district (now: Kampong Thom). Srei Sokunbot sent letter to inform Chan King of the rebellion and announced the royal message appointing Chan Reachea as Grand Viceroy (Minister of Interior) to return from the Kingdom of Siam to save him. Chan Reachea's return He borrowed 5,000 Siamese troops with the negotiation of offering 100 elephants and 5,000 army back to Ponhea Ang. During Chan Reacha's return to the kingdom of Cambodia, it was learned that the Siamese king name, "Barom Ramathipti II", had sent Khun Daravichet to stop Chan Reachea from encroaching on the kingdom of Cambodia. However, because Chan Reachea had a warrior royal sword from Ponhea Ang given directly from the King of Siam, Khun Dara Vichet could not stop Chan Reachea enter to Cambodia. Chan Reachea's army arrived in Battambang, the district chief named Ponhea No gave him 10,000 troops and 100 carts of food, and he continued his journey to Bakan district (present: Pursat) and met with the district chief, Ponhea Meun Pich, who holds 40,000 troops in "Meanchey" fortress. Chan Reachea's arrival with the preparation of a military strategy to rescue Srei Sokunbot from the siege of King Korn lasted for 2 years, Seeing the late army of Chan Reachea, that is, in 1514 AD, King Korn raised his navy with artillery to attack Stung Sen Fortress (now: Kampong Thom) last night and assassinated Srei Sokunbot at that time. After King Korn assassinated Srei Sokunbot at Stung Sen fortress, the five reign accessories disappeared at the same time, so the official coronation of King Korn was postponed for two years to wait for the five new reign accessories to be completed. Finally, King Korn officially declared his throne in 1516 AD, which was named "Preah Srei Chedtha Thireach Reameathibdei" and it was time for the two dragons to compete for influence as the Moon King, King of the Western Kingdom, proclaimed to reign in 1516 CE, and the Dragon King, King of the Eastern Kingdom, divided the Mekong river into two parts along a stream that prolonged the war, nearly a decade almost 10 years.[2]

In 1516 AD, three months after Srei Chedtha ascended the throne in Tuol Basan, Chan Reachea raised 30,000 troops and besieged and expelled Srei Chedtha from Tuol Basan. Srei Chedtha and his army fled to the east to set up a new fort between Dontey in Tbong Khmum district and established a new capital called "Sralop Dontey Pichey Prey Nokor". One year after Srei Chedtha returned to revenge Chan Reachea and set fire to the capital Tuol Basan in 1517 AD, Chan Reachea and his army withdrew back to "Meanchey" fortress. In the same year, the two kings held peace talks and did not go to war with each other to save time to gather food and increase the army, which suspended the war for three years until 1520 AD. Srei Chedtha's troops launched an advance attack on Chan Reachea in Kampong Chhnang province.[3]

After the cessation of the three-year war (1517–1520), Srei Chedtha mobilized 120,000 troops and divided them into two divisions, the first division of which was 20,000 led by the chief. "Chao Ponhea Lompiang" troops to set up camp in Samrong Tong district (now Kampong Speu province) And the second brigade of 30,000 led by the strong commander of Srei Chedtha named "Ponhea Kao" to set up camp in Chey Sour village (now Wat Vihear Sour, Kandal province). After gathering a huge army of 20,000 led by General "Chao Ponhea Lompiang" left Samrong Tong to launch a pre-attack on Chan Reachea at "Veal Sap Angkam" battlefield, Kampong Chhnang province. At that time, the two commanders of Chan Reachea call "Ognha Chakrei Keo" and "Ognha Vongsa Akka Reach" led 20,000 troops to fight fiercely with the sound of arrows, swords, spears and cannons. Throughout the Battle of Kampong Chhnang, Immediately, the west King Auxiliary Army, hiding in the jungle, another 10,000 including 140 war elephants, led by Chan Reachea's Chief of Staff, Ponhea Meun Pich, was behind the army Chao Ponhea Lompiang "rushed out to defeat Srei Chedtha's army, broke up, failed and fled to set up a fort in Chaktomuk (now Phnom Penh).[4]

One year after the war at Veal Sap Angkam, Kampong Chhnang province, Chan Reachea ordered two commanders, "Ognha Chakrei Keo" and "Ognha Vongsa Akka Reach", to lead 30,000 troops capture Chaktomuk fortress, with 10,000 troops of Srei Chedtha standing guard to protect this area, led by General "Chao Ponhea Lompiang". Chan Reachea's army, more than twice the number of Srei Chedtha, defeated Chaktomuk Battlefield in 1521 AD, and Chan Reachea army marched more on Bati district (now a Takeo province), Later Chan Reachea announced a message to all district governors in Kampuchea Krom to keep the army neutral, otherwise he would fight to the death in this war.[5]

After Srei Chedtha heard the news that his nephew "Chao Ponhea Lompiang" had died in Chaktomuk Fortress by the west King's army, he was very angry and sent a letter to his general "Ponhea Kao". Who set up troops in Chey Sour village, Kandal province to raise troops to take revenge for themselves immediately, In 1522 AD, 30,000 Ponhea Kao troops crossed the western coast and Ponhea Kao and divided the army into two divisions. The 1st Battalion 15,000 was an infantry led by "Ponhea Sral" and "Jovea Viang" and stationed at Boeung Pong Peay north of Phnom Penh, while Ponhea Kao himself led the 2nd Battalion 15,000. with 60 warships entering the port of Chan Reachea at Chroy Ponlea (now Chroy Changvar), Ponhea Kao's navy was so strong that it chased Chan Reachea's navy, led by "Vibol Reach" and "Brothus Reach", to Prek Pnov, the general "Ponhea Meun Pich" who set up a fort in Prek Taten came out to help "Vibol Reach" and "Brothus Reach". When Ponhea Kao saw this, he used the trick of losing and retreating so that "Ponhea Meun Pich" could chase after his army, "Ponhea Sral" and "Jovea Viang" embedded in Boeung Pong Peay, north of Phnom Penh, Realizing this, he raised his army to attack "Ponhea Meun Pich" from behind the four rivers, and finally killed Ponhea Meun Pich at that time. (Currently, the Ponhea Meun Pich or Ta Pich Monument is next to the Preah Ang Dongker Monument in front of the Royal Palace of Cambodia today) And the four rivers, which are full of bloodshed, are called "blood rivers" by the locals.[6]

After "Ponhea Kao" won at the four river in front of the Chaktomuk fortress, many days without food and tired, decided to set up camp in Kampong Siem district, Kampong Cham province, with only 10,000 troops left. On the other of Chan Reachea, who received the news of the death of "Ponhea Meun Pich", was shocked and very sad he offering the death name call "Chao Ponhea Sourkealok" mean the name of Paradise. After that, Chan Reachea announced the royal message appointing "Ognha Khliang Meoung" as the Chief of General Staff, replacing Ognha Khliang Meoung, who is well known for his war tactics and military leadership. In 1523 AD, Chan Reach divided his army into two divisions, the first led by himself, set out on a battleship named "Saray Andet" and 300 other warships to gather troops in the province Asantuk (now Kampong Thom province) with 55,000 The second brigade of 50,000 led by general "Khliang Meoung" went to attack the "Ponhea Kao" fortress in Kampong Siem district, Kampong Cham province at the same time. The news of Chan Reachea's declaration of war reached Srei Chedtha, He gathered the remaining 80,000 troops into five divisions. The first division led by "Ponhea Promvieng" had 15,000 and the second division led by "Ponhea Penh" had 10,000 The third division led by "Ponha Nuon" had 10,000 The fourth division led by "Ponha Tun" had 10,000 as a rear guard. And the 5th Battalion, led by "Ponhea Phat Sral" and "Ponhea Vibol Reach" with 20,000 with 300 warships as navy to defend the fort in Kampong Siem district, the site of the battle of Kampong Cham, and Srei Chedtha directly commanded 20,000 royal troops and assigned 20,000 with generals "Ponhea Kao" and "Jovea Viang" to lead the army, plus the royal army 40,000 guarding the "Sralop Pichey" fort in Tbong Khmum district. Thus, the total number of troops defending Srei Chedtha's Kampong Siem district was 65,000. Finally, more than 100,000 troops of Chan Reachea attacked the Kampong Siem district fort of Kampong Cham in 1523 AD.[7]

After Chan Reachea and Srei Chedtha waged a great war in the battle of Kampong Siem district, both armies lost a lot of military equipment, Thus in 1523 AD, the two kings sent envoys from both sides to order cannons from the "Portuguese" in the Malacca at the Malay Peninsula. Recorded by historians in the 16th century.[8][9] On the other of Chan Reachea ordered 100 artillery and 1,000 guns to be kept in the fort, while Srei Chedtha ordered 150 artillery and 2,000 guns. Srei Chedtha ship delivery 150 artillery and 2,000 guns was intercepted in Peam district (Vietnam call: Mán Khom) mean "Peam Khmer" in Kampuchea Krom and the provincial governor sent to Chan Reachea King, so Srei Chedtha did not have a weapon to supply his army.[10]

In 1525 AD, Chan Reachea raised 140,000 troops to attack the "Sralop Dontey" fortress of Srei Chedtha, which had the last guard in the fort of only 40,000 at the battle of Tbong Khmum district, The army of Chan Reachea besieged Sralop Dontey fortress for 15 days, as this fort was too high and difficult to attack, Chan Reachea sent officer army to announce the royal message with the statement that all those who can capture or kill King Korn and have a reward and be promoted to be the governor of Tbong Khmum district, After the officer army announced the message in front of this fort, a few days later, Srei Chedtha died and was beheaded by his brother-in-law, name "Doun Keo", with Ponhea Kao head and all the factions of 25 head governor officer offering to King Chan Reachea, With this joy and victory, as promised, he raised the title of "Doun Keo Officer" as call Ponhea Doun Keo, the governor of Tbong Khmum district, while the heads of Srei Chedtha and the 25 factions were nailed to the wall bamboo of Sralop Dontey fortress.[12]

After Chan Reachea defeated Srei Chedtha, he returned to Meanchey fortress in Pursat province and ordered all the officer minister to build a new palace in Longvek at Kampong Chhnang province in 1526 AD to escape the threat of the Siamese army. The foreman received the construction of the palace by digging into the foundation of 3 meters deep around the fort in three corners, and raised the filter board to make the upper fort 8.5 meters high, The thickness of the west side is 5 meters thick, the lower thickness of 11 meters around the three corners "because the fourth corner is the river, The wall fort have 5 main gates and 8 door in and out, each with a height of 11 meters tower for the 8 cannons artillery. The four corners have a tower 12.5 meters high for the guards and the same artillery, As for the walls around the fort, he placed all the long guns around the five main gates. In front of the first wall, the king built a shed for the army of elephants, horse and artillery. On the other side of the second wall, there are of army small artillery group, and a courthouse on the left side of the Court of Appeal on the right, Inside the third wall, Full of army sword group, Inside the 4th wall there is a theater and a pavilion, Inside the 5th wall, building of five royal accessories and a bronze palace for royal treasures, There is also a Sanctuary for the astrologers, Brahmin and royal services groups, Doors guarding the galleries for the top five tower are Dragon of King building, the boards are all painted in the color of Hindu nationality, covered with gold, there is a beautiful glow, and one of the top five temples is a temple for the King to rest, A large royal palace including building for the royal wife, Royal guard building, another building with 3 floors for the princess, Five building for the concubines with the royal family, and two building for the prince. And behind that wall, there is 15 building storehouse of rice, salt, fish and another foods, to the south and north of the ramparts were 10 ammunition depots, and the Royal Palace was stockpiled with arrowheads to protect the rear, At every stage, there are clear ponds, flower gardens, fragrant plants in the palace, which was built in two years and was completed in 1528 AD. New Royal Fortress Completed, Chan Reachea Ordered to Move Fortress from Pursat to Longvek, And ordered the planting of bamboo trees around the fort 2 sin Distance equal to 80 meters to protect the fort, After he founding the royal sword and he proclaimed the second time to be king of the earth during the Longvek period of the Longvek kingdom in 1539 AD, which he full named in the royal name "Preah Reach Angkar Preah Borom Reachea Chan Reachea".[13]

2074 BE, 1530 A.D., Mahasakarach 1453, Chula Sakarat 897., corresponding to the year of Pig, after the Siamese dynasty ended the conflict, the Siamese dynasty reigned a new monarch, or the Siamese king name "Chakkraphat" sent three envoys as ambassadors to collect tribute from the Khmer King at that time, Chan Reachea ordered the Royal servants to receive the envoys of the Siamese kingdom outside the palace, He replied that the Kingdom of Cambodia was no longer subordinate to the Siamese kingdom and that there were no more tributes offering to the Siamese king, If the Siamese king did not agree to come and test our strength and kingdom, the content of the two kingdoms' relations could be severed completely after the Khmer king learned of the news that the Siamese army was engaged in war with the kingdom of Burma, launched a series of attacks on the Siamese kingdom.

2084 BE, 1540 A.D., Mahasakarach 1463, Chula Sakarat 907, corresponding to the year of Mouse, Siam raised 50,000 troops through Nakhon Ratchasima to the border of Mahanokor province (now Siem Reap), Siamese troops were divided into three divisions, the first division was the elephant army, the second division was the horse army, the third division was the infantry, and all army invaded the Angkor area. At that time, Chan Reachea directly raised 50,000 Longvek troops, plus 20,000 troops in Mahanokor, for a total of 70,000 Retaliated strongly against the Siamese army at the Battle of Stung Angkor, And finally, the Siamese army was defeated by a humble defeat in this great victory, Chan Reachea changed the name of Mahanokor province to the name of Siem Reap to this day, and also the first victory of Chan Reachea fought in the war defeat the Siamese army.[14]