In 1760, Burmese forces attacked what was then Thailand, destroyed and looted the country's capital, and kidnapped its ruler and members of the ruling family.

A former commander of the Ayutthai forces, Taksin took power in the country, established a new capital at Thonburi, and crowned himself king. After a palace coup, Rama I became the new king. He gave rise to a new dynasty that rules in Thailand to this day. He also moved the capital to Bangkok.