Post-Angkor Era. After being seized by the Thai army in 1431, it
appeared that the Angkor entered a Dark period as there were
rarely any inscription found in later centuries. There are two
theories being disputed by the historians about the destiny of
Angkor after this year. The first theory said that the city of
Angkor was completely abandoned due to the Thai's onslaught and
the people fled to take up residence in the south somewhere
around 40 km north of Phnompenh. Another theory suggested that
the city of Angkor was not completely abandoned at that time,
but a different lineage of the Khmer king took the opportunity
to establish his own power as a rival state in the south around
Phnompenh; the final downfall of the Angkor was actually due to
the shift of the economic importance to Phnompenh region which
became a growing and flourishing trading center, especially with
the Chinese during the 17th and 18th century. No matter which
theory is true; there are undeniable facts to support that the
Angkor was not c