With the death of Taksin, the Thai throne falls to Chakkri, a general who had played a leading role with Taksin in the struggle against the Burmese.

As King Yot Fa (Rama I, 1782-1809), he founds the present Thai ruling house and moves the court to Bangkok, the modern capital.

During an energetic reign, he revives the country's economy and restores what remains of the great artistic heritage lost in the destruction of Ayutthaya.

The king is credited with composing a new edition of the Ramakian (the Thai version of the Ramayand) to replace manuscripts of the Thai national epic that were lost in the conflagration.