TAKSIN

or Phraya Taksin

born April 17, 1734, Ayutthaya

died April 6, 1782, Thon Buri

Thai general and later king (1767–82) who reunited Siam (Thailand) after its defeat by Myanmar (Burma).

While Taksin was a provincial governor, his troops were among those besieged by the forces of Myanmar in 1766–67, but he escaped and raised new troops. He drove out the invaders and defeated other contenders for the throne, then extended his power into neighbouring states. A better conqueror than ruler, he was deposed and probably executed in 1782.