Sdach Korn

Sdach Korn also known as Srei Chettha II (Khmer: ស្ដេចកន or ព្រះស្រីជេដ្ឋាទី២) or Srei Chetha Thireach Reameathiptei (Khmer: ស្រីជេដ្ឋាធិរាជរាមាធិបតី) was the King of Cambodia from 1512 to 1525. Korn dethroned the king and attempted to establish a new dynasty. Little is known about Korn as evidence from the 15th and 16th Centuries in Cambodia is sparse.

Srei Chetha Thireach Reameathiptei
Statue of Sdach Korn
King of Cambodia
Reign	1512 – 1525
Predecessor	Srey Sokunboth
Successor	Ang Chan I
Born	c. 1483 Srey Sorchhor, Cambodia
Died	1529 (aged 45–46) Jerngkor Forest, Tboung Khmum, Cambodia
Consort	Chea Leng
Full name Srey Chetha
Father	Pichey Nekem
Mother	Ban
Religion	Theravada Buddhism prev. Hinduism

The battle between Srey SokunBoth and Sdach Korn

Preah Srey Sokunboth's dream

When Preah Srey Sokunboth went to sleep, he dreamed of a powerful dragon chased Srey Sokunboth and everyone in the kingdom outside, and breathed fire burned down the kingdom, then stole the king's umbrella to east-side. The next morning, Srey Sokunboth got worried about the weird dream that he had had ,went to met the oracle and was told that Sdach Korn would one day betrayed and overthrown Srey Sokunboth and steal the title as the earth's king. Srey Sokunboth had a meeting with all his loyal followers to find the solutions to the problem. Srey Sokunboth and his followers planned to fake stuck a fishing-net and let Sdach Korn go fix it, then throw another fishing-net to drown him in the river. After overheard Srey Skounboth's plan, Neang Pov rush to tell Sdach Korn about the plan. The day had come for Srey Sokunboth's plan to proceed when Srey Sokunboth order Sdach Korn to fix the net, Sdach Korn decides to swim far away and escape to the east side while Srey Sokunboth thought Korn had drowned in the river.[1]

Sdach Korn Uprising

When Sdach Korn got to the east-side, he started a rumor of Chan Reachea being betrayed and planned an attack by Preah Srey Sokunboth. While worrying about his people, Chan Reachea decided to evacuate to Siem but had help Ta Mueng's family on his way of fleeing, and Ta Mueng promised to pay back his debt. In 1512, Sdach Korn infiltrated Srey Sokunboth in Toul BaSan badly. Srey Sokunboth had no choice but to flee to Kompong Svay Province. Sdach Korn set his camp at Santouk Mountain and tricked Meun SorintKeo to get 200 followers to infiltrate Srey Sokunboth. Srey Sokunboth knew that Sdach Korn followers would soon come, so he flees to Pursat province, but Meun SorintKeo had killed Srey Sokunboth on the way. After the victory, Sdach Korn order general Kaw to take care of those who disobey to join forces with him.[1]

Sdach Korn as Srei Chetha Thireach Reameathiptei

In 1512, Sdach Korn set his kingdom back in Toul BaSan. In 1514, Sdach Korn set his kingdom in other provinces and ascended the throne, became Srei Chetha Thireach Reameathiptei, and promoted general Keo as Somdach Chawhva Tolh to look after other officials. Srei Chettha Thireach Reameathiptei promoted every official and The provincial governor. Srei Chetha Thireach Reameathiptei expanded the north-side to ChampaSak, the east-side to Champa kingdom, the south-side to the sea and the west-side to Reach Seima kingdom. When Sdach Korn ascended to the throne, the business sector ran smoothly and effectively.

One night, Sdach Korn dreamed of the moon rise from the west-side and pierce through his heart, the prophet believed that Chan Reachea, who had to flee to Siem, will come back to take revenge.[1]

Battle between Preah Chan Reachea and Srei Chetha

After hearing the news about Srey SokunBoth's death, Chan Reachea and Ponhea Oung went back home. Chan Reachea lied that he would catch the white elephant for Sdach Siem. Sdach Siem provided Chan Reachea with 5,000 soldiers, 100 elephant soldiers, food, and weapons with the sword of war.

In 1516, when Chan Reachea steps foot in Cambodia's border, he asked for more soldiers. Ponhea Oung went back to Sdach Siam and told the truth. Sdach Siem got angry and ordered his followers to bring back Chan Reachea. Chan Reachea revealed the sword of war, and Sdach Siam's followers retreated. Chan Reachea gathered 3,000 more soldiers in Battambang province, 8,000 soldiers in Siem Reap province, and 3,000 more soldiers in Pursat province by Ta Mueng. The provincial governor of Pursat province named SurKea Lok Keo gave the news about Chan Reachea to Sdach Korn. Sdach Korn ordered master Kaw to battle Chan Reachea. Chan Reachea promoted Ta Mueng as the governor of Pursat province. Sdach Korn gathered a big army in Longvek under Somdach Chawhva Tolh command. Chan Reachea retreated to Pursat fortress. Unfortunately, Somdach Chawhva Tolh caught up to Chan Reachea and surrounded him for 12 months. Ta Pich (Ta Mueng) sacrificed himself and gathered demon soldiers from hell to help Chan Reachea in battle. From that point on, Chan Reachea always had an advantage over Sdach Korn. Chan Reachea got back Krokor, Khlong Krang, BoriBo, Kompong Siem, Boribur, Cheungoprei, Stung Treng.

At that moment, most of Sdach Korn's soldiers became submissive with Chan Reachea. Srei SokunBoth's soldiers were also submissive to Chan Reachea. In 1516, Ponhea Sor died. The people wanted Chan Reachea on the throne, he agreed. On the throne, Chan Reachea found his majesty's sword and spear and his belongings. Chan Reachea set his city in Banteay Meanchey and Pursat. In 1517, Sdach Korn sends an assassin to assassinate Chan Reachea, but had failed. In 1525, after acquiring cannons, Chan Reachea continued to attack Srei Chetha. Chan Reachea separated into three groups, formed a triangle surrounding Srei Sorchor fortress. Srei Chetha and master Kaw escaped to Sralob Pichy town. Chan Reachea went to Sralob Pichy town. In 3 months, Chan Reachea killed master Kaw and cut Srei Chetha head off. From that moment on, Srei Chetha is known as Sdach Korn.[1]

References

1. Malen, Dorn. "ប្រវត្ដវិទ្យា ថា្នក់ទី១១ | eLibrary of Cambodia". Retrieved 2019-11-01.