Ponhea To
List of kings of Cambodia
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Borom Reachsomphea (Khmer:|បរមរាជសម្ភារ), also known as Ponhea To (Khmer:|ពញ្ញាតូ) (Thommo Reachea II), was a Cambodian king who ruled from 1627 to 1634. His full name was "Preahbat Samdech Preah Borom Reachsomphea Chao Ponhea To" and he was the eldest son of Chey Chestha II ("Ponhea To") The second official coronation ceremony took place in the capital Oudong, in 2174BE, 1630AD, after he had spent three years training to be a monk at Nokor Wat (Angkor Wat). He was betrothed to princess Yuor Chan Vottey, a cousin. However, his uncle, Samdech Preah Uotey, who held the position of "Reachea Nusit" (regent), taking over the royal duties of the kingdom while Ponhea To was away, married Yuor Chan Vottey, and later assassinated Ponhea To.
| Borom Reachsomphea | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| List of kings of Cambodia | |||||
| Reign | 1627–1634 | ||||
| Predecessor | Chey Chestha II | ||||
| Successor | Ang Tong Reachea | ||||
| Born | Oudong city | ||||
| Died | 1634 Kratie province | ||||
| Issue | None | ||||
| |||||
| House | Oudong | ||||
| Father | Chey Chestha II | ||||
| Religion | Theravada | ||||
History
After the death of King Chey Chestha II, the throne passed to his eldest son Ang Ponhea To (full name was "Preahbat Samdech Preah Borom Reachsomphea Chao Ponhea To", known as "Ponhea To"). Ponhea To went to Nokor Wat in Siem Reap province in 1627 CE to become a monk, and appointed his uncle, Samdech Preah Uotey, with the title of "Reachea Nusith", to manage the affairs of the kingdom in royal palace for three years, from 1627 to 1630 CE, while he was away.[1]
While Ang Ponhea spent three years at Nokor Wat, Samdech Preah Outey fell in love with Princess Yuor Chan Vottey, and took her as his wife. In 1630, Ang Ponhea To returned from Nokor Wat to Oudong to be crowned as king, when he would take on the royal name "Borom Reachsomphea". He composed many poems, including "Letter for Princess Yuor Chan Vottey", and "Jar Chong Tnoat".[2]
Ponhea To was very disappointed that his lover princess Yuor Chan Vottey, had married his uncle Samdech Preah Uotey, but he still secretly kept in touch with the princess by letter, composing poems for her. He realized that although he was the king, he did not have the power to command his officials. Ruling the kingdom without such power, he decided to move the royal residence to Koh Khlok (today, Koh Oknhatey), in Kandal Province in 1632 AD. To gain support from other officials, during his stay at the royal residence at Koh Klok, he composed many poems and drafted a law called "Reach Somphea Royal Law".[3][2]
Meanwhile, princess Yuor Chan Vottey pretended to be attending religious ceremonies in Kandal province to secretly meet Ponhea To, and have a romantic relationship. However, the secret meetings were reported to Preah Uotey, which angered him, and he issued a royal decree condemning the affair between his wife and his nephew as an unseemly act. Under this royal law, Preah Uotey's forces, with the help of the Portuguese, launched an attack on the royal residence at Koh Khlok. Ponhea To and the princess fled to Kanhjor district in Kratié Province, but could not escape. Princess Chan Vottey was shot dead by the king's forces with gun, and Ponhea To hid up a palm tree. He cut a palm tree branch and composed his last poem, "Jar Chong Tnoat". Preah Uotey's forces found the king and two Portuguese force soldiers shot the king dead, effecting a military coup, in 1634.[4][2]
Preah Uotey did not immediately elevate his son to the throne, as his son was too young. Instead he named Ang Ponhea Nour, the second son of Preah Chey Chestha II, as king in Oudong in 1634 CE, where he was given the royal title "Ang Tong Reachea Thireach Reamea Thipadei".[4]