Ponhea Yat

Who was Ponhea Yat?

Preah Ponhea Yat, also known as Barom Reachea II, was the last king of the Khmer Empire.

He was the son of Srey Soriyovong and became king in 1431 and was king until 1462. That year he was forced to flee Angkor Thom when the Siamese captured it, resettling first in Tuol Basan, and after that became flooded, to Chaktomuk.

In Phnom Penh, the king ordered the land to be built up to protect it from flooding, and a palace to be built.

During his reign King Ponhea Yat also ordered the construction of six Buddhist monasteries around the city, and his remains are housed in a stupa behind the Wat Phnom.

King Ponhea Yat was succeeded on his death by his first son Narayana Reachea, who reigned until 1469 and who was succeeded in turn by Ponhea Yat's second son, Srey Reachea.