Ang Chan I

Ang Chan I, also known as Chan Reachea (1486-1566), was a Cambodian king who reigned from 1516 to 1566. He was regarded as one of Cambodia's most illustrious post-Angkor kings. Damkhat Sokonthor appointed him as ouparach (heir apparent or viceroy) in 1507. He ruled the Phnom Penh region and the eastern provinces as viceroy. He is among the most important historical figures in Cambodia.

In 1512, Ang Chan I was deposed by a pretender named Sdach Korn. He fled to Siam and returned in 1516 with a Siamese army. He was crowned at Pursat the same year after putting down several rebellions inspired by Neay Kan. He reclaimed Longvek from the Siamese and established the new capital there. In 1525, Ang Chan attacked Sdach Korn with firearms and cannons. Within three months, Ang Chan was able to kill Sdach Korn and his followers and decapitate him.

During Ang Chan's reign, Portuguese missionary Gaspar da Cruz visited Longvek and preached the gospel, but he was forced to leave the country the following year because most Cambodians were devout Buddhists who refused to convert to Roman Catholicism.

Siam had been at war with Burma since 1547. The Cambodian army took advantage of the situation and launched a counter-offensive. The Siamese were driven out of Angkor. He was crowned again in Longvek in 1553. Ang Chan's I army attacked the nearby Ayuttaya regions between 1559 and 1564.