AYUTTHAYA HISTORICAL RESEARCH
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HISTORICAL EVENTS - 1400 CE
Reign of King Ramaracha (1395-1409) (continued)
1402 - The first year of the Yongle Emperor (reign 1402–1424), the third Emperor of the Ming dynasty, the Chinese Court conferred a silver-gilt seal with a handle shaped like a camel on Siam. [Reference: Bowring, John (1857) - The Kingdom and People of Siam Vol I - London, John W. Parker and Son, West Strand - page 74]
10 Oct 1403 - Ming envoy, eunuch Li Xing, leads a maritime voyage to Ayutthaya (to control trade and execute political and economic control). [Ref: The Zheng He Voyages: A Reassessment - Geoff Wade (2004) - Asia Research Institute Working Paper Series No. 31.]
1403 - The Great Ming Court sends the standard weights and measures of China again to Siam, as well as one hundred copies of the History of the Eminent Women of China - a well-known work of the Han dynasty. [Reference: Bowring, John (1857) - The Kingdom and People of Siam Vol I - London, John W. Parker and Son, West Strand - page 74]
6 Sep 1408 - Ming envoy, eunuch Zhang Yuan, leads a maritime voyage to Ayutthaya (to control trade and execute political and economic control). [Ref: The Zheng He Voyages: A Reassessment - Geoff Wade (2004) - Asia Research Institute Working Paper Series No. 31.]
1409 - King Ramaracha quarrelled and ordered the arrest of one of his principal ministers, a certain Chao Senabodi, probably the commander of the Ayutthaya army. The minister fled to Suphanburi and appealed for the assistance of Prince Nakhon In, the Governor of Suphan and a nephew of King Borommaracha I. The prince proceeded to Ayutthaya, seized King Ramaracha, and forced him to abdicate. He then proclaimed himself king, with the title of King Intharacha I - 6th King of Ayutthaya. It was at this moment in history that the U-Thong dynasty disappeared from the political scene to be replaced by the House of Suphan. In the Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya, we read that Chao Senabodi had brought Prince Nakhon In into Ayutthaya from Suphanburi and had succeeded him in entering the Royal Palace. Once crowned, Intharacha bestowed rewards on Chao Phraya Maha Senabodi, the daughter of a royal concubine, a pair of gold trays of rank, a pair of pedestalled gold salvers, a gold lotus water-goblet, a two-edged sword, an ivory palanquin and a lotus-penal palanquin. [Reference: A History of Siam - W.A.R. Wood (1924) - page 77 / The Rise of Ayudhya - Charnvit Kasetsiri (1976) - page 104/ The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya - Richard D. Cushman (2006) - page 26 / Source: Phan Canthanumat, British Museum, Reverend Phonnarat, Phra Cakkraphatdiphong & Royal Autograph] Reign of King Intharacha (1409-1424)]
31 Dec 1410 - Ming envoy, eunuch Zhang Yuan, leads a maritime voyage to Ayutthaya (to control trade and execute political and economic control). [Ref: The Zheng He Voyages: A Reassessment - Geoff Wade (2004) - Asia Research Institute Working Paper Series No. 31.]
1411 - Death of King Sen Müang Ma of Chieng Mai - Ayutthaya invested Phayao, attacked Chiang Mai and captured Chieng Rai. - Following the death of King Saen Müang Ma of Chieng Mai, a succession dispute arose between his sons, Prince Sam Fang Kaen and his older brother Prince Yi Kumkam, Governor of Chieng Saen. Prince Yi Kumkam raised an army and marched on Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai sent its army out and Prince Yi Kumkam's army was routed. He retreated to Sukhothai and appealed to Siam for aid. An army commanded by the vassal King Maha Thammaracha III of Sukhothai was dispatched to Chieng Mai to place Prince Yi Kumkam on the throne. The Siamese first invested Phayao, but failed to take it. The Siamese erected a mound twenty-four yards high and a stockade to shoot into the city with guns. The Phayao defenders melted down the brass tiles on one of their temples and made a five-inch cannon, with which they destroyed the Siamese fort. The Siamese abandoned the siege of Phayao, went on to Chiang Rai, and came down to Fang to take Chiang Mai. The Ayutthayan army laid siege to the City of Chiang Mai, fiercely resisting all attempts to take it. Finally, Sam Fang Kaen, the young King of Chiengmai, suggested that the succession dispute should be settled by trial in single combat under the rule of “first blood”. Each side had to appoint a champion. If the Siamese champion won, King Fang Kaen would abdicate in favour of his brother if not Prince Yi Kumkam would abandon his claim. Terms were accepted, and the two champions fought for several hours without result, but the Siamese champion finally received a scratch on his big toe and was adjudged the loser. Consequently, the Sukhothai army withdrew northward from Chiang Mai and attacked the town of Chieng Rai. Chieng Rai was captured, and a large number of prisoners were taken back to Ayutthaya. Prince Yi Kumkam became Governor of Muang Sarng. [Reference: A History of Siam - W.A.R. Wood (1924) - page 78 / History of Laos - M.L. Mannich Jumsai (2000) - Page 56-57]
15 Jan 1413 - Ming envoy, eunuch Hong Bao, leads a maritime voyage to Ayutthaya (to control trade and execute political and economic control). [Ref: The Zheng He Voyages: A Reassessment - Geoff Wade (2004) - Asia Research Institute Working Paper Series No. 31.]
27 May 1416 - Ming envoy, eunuch Guo Wen, leads a maritime voyage to Ayutthaya (to control trade and execute political and economic control). [Ref: The Zheng He Voyages: A Reassessment - Geoff Wade (2004) - Asia Research Institute Working Paper Series No. 31.]
1418 - China commands Siam and Malacca to forego animosity and end their war. [Reference: Bowring, John (1857) - The Kingdom and People of Siam Vol I - London, John W. Parker and Son, West Strand - page 74]
Wat Phra Kaeo in Chiang Rai was where one of Thailand's most important Buddha statues was discovered. In 1354, during the reign of King Sam Fang Kaen, who ruled Chiang Mai, lightning struck the chedi of Wat Phra Kaeo and cracked it open. A Buddha image gilded with gold leaf on black lacquer was found inside the broken chedi. When that black lacquer came off, a beautiful jade figure was concealed within it. The statue had been moved by various state rulers to be placed in their respective capitals as a symbol of dominance, including Lampang, Chiang Rai and Vientiane before finally being enshrined in Bangkok's Wat Phra Kaeo during the reign of King Rama I of the Rattanakosin period.
1419 - King Maha Thammaracha III (Sai Luethai) of Sukhothai died. Two brothers claimed the throne, and serious disturbances occurred. King Intharacha of Ayutthaya advanced to Nakhon Sawan with his army to restore order in his vassal state. The show of force was sufficient, and the two parties, Phraya Ban Muang and Phraya Ram, arranged their differences. The brother of King Maha Thammaracha III ascended the throne as Maha Thammaracha IV of Sukhothai. [Reference: A History of Siam - W.A.R. Wood (1924) - page 79 The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya - Richard D. Cushman (2006) - page 14 & 15 / Source: Luang Prasoet, Phan Canthanumat, British Museum, Reverend Phonnarat, Phra Cakkraphatdiphong & Royal Autograph Wyatt, David K. (2003) - Thailand, A short history (2nd Ed.) - Silkworm Books]
3 Jun 1420 - Ming envoy, eunuch Yang Min, leads a maritime voyage to Ayutthaya (to control trade and execute political and economic control). [Ref: The Zheng He Voyages: A Reassessment - Geoff Wade (2004) - Asia Research Institute Working Paper Series No. 31.]
1424 - Death of King Intharacha and throne ascendancy of King Borommaracha II - 7th King of Ayutthaya. King Intharacha had three sons. Prince Ai Phraya was the ruler of Suphanburi, Prince Yi Phraya was the ruler of Sanburi, and Prince Sam Phraya lived in Chainat. On their father's death, the two elder sons fought for the throne. Both princes engaged each other in personal combat mounted on an elephant at the foot of the "charcoal forest" bridge (Saphan Pa Than) near the city gates of Ayutthaya. Both were severely wounded and died from the combat. The youngest brother, Chao Sam Phraya, was then proclaimed King under the title of Borommaracha II. Borommaracha II commanded two chedis built on the site where his brothers engaged in combat. These chedis are still visible today in central Ayutthaya at the crossing of Naresuan Rd (former Pa Than Rd) and Chikun Rd, opposite Wat Ratcha Burana. Borommaracha II built the latter on the cremation site of his brothers. [Reference: A History of Siam - W.A.R. Wood (1924) - page 80 / The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya - Richard D. Cushman (2006) - page 15 / Source: Luang Prasoet, Phan Canthanumat, British Museum, Reverend Phonnarat, Phra Cakkraphatdiphong & Royal Autograph.]
Reign of King Borommaracha II (1424 - 1448)
1424 - Construction of Wat Ratcha Burana in Ayutthaya. [Ref: The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya - Richard D. Cushman (2006) - King Boromaracha II, 1424-1448, page 15 / Source: Luang Prasoet]
1431 - War broke out with the Khmer. King Borommaracha II invaded the Khmer Kingdom and invested the capital of Angkor, which was taken after a siege of seven months. The King of Cambodia, Dharmasoka, died during the siege. King Borommaracha II set up his son, the Prince of Nakhon In' (Inthaburi), as ruler of Cambodia. The Siamese King removed two Khmer princes, Phraya Kaeo and Phraya Thai, and their families to Ayutthaya, next to a large number of sacred images of lions and oxen. The images were offered to Wat Maha That and Wat Phra Sri Sanphet. In the inscription found at Dan Khun Thot, Khun Sichaiyaratchamongkhonthep was mentioned as the army's leader to Angkor. [Reference: A History of Siam - W.A.R. Wood (1924) - page 81 / The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya - Richard D. Cushman (2006) - page 15 / Source: Luang Prasoet, Phan Canthanumat, British Museum, Reverend Phonnarat & Royal Autograph / www.geocities.com/khmerchronology - data retrieved on 24 April 2009 Baker, Chris - The Vickery Chronicle]
1432 - Jao Yat, son of the former Khmer king Ramathibodi Khamkhat, rebelled against the Siamese ruler of Angkor, Prince Nakhon In. The latter subdued the Khmer revolt. King Borommaracha II ordered the armies from his cities, about 150,000 troops, one hundred elephants and 1000 horses, to invest Angkor and to quench all the hot spots of resistance. Jao Yat and his followers were captured. Prince Nakhon In fell sick. The whole army returned to Ayutthaya. Prince Nakhon In passed away when reaching Ayutthaya (according to Cambodian history, he was murdered). Jao Yat was sent to Ayutthaya by boat but could escape. [Reference: A History of Siam - W.A.R. Wood (1924) - page 81 Baker, Chris - The Vickery Chronicle]
1432/3 - King Borommaracha II appointed his son, Phraya Phraek (Siracha), to become ruler at Angkor and gave him his daughter Jao Mae Thao Inthara as queen. Phraya Phraek was in for a troubled time as Jao Yat escaped and sought to recruit troops to ascend the Khmer throne. [Baker, Chris - The Vickery Chronicle]
1438 - King Borommaracha II built Wat Maheyong in Ayutthaya and sent Prince Ramesuan to Phitsanulok. [Ref: The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya - Richard D. Cushman (2006) - King Boromaracha II, 1424-1448, page 15 / Source: Luang Prasoet]
1438/9 - King Borommaracha II marched on the North-East to the cities of Phimai and Phra Ngam (Winai Pongsripian - possibly Mueang Sema). Both rulers submit and pay their respects. [Baker, Chris - The Vickery Chronicle]
1440/1 - A fire broke out at the Royal Palace and burned down the Royal Hall. The repairs took one year. [Ref: The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya - Richard D. Cushman (2006) - King Boromaracha II, 1424-1448, page 15 / Source: Luang Prasoet]
Wat Maheyong is located outside the city island in the ancient area of Ayodhya, inhabited before the establishment of Ayutthaya in 1351 CE. Following the Luang Prasoet chronicle, the monastery was built in 1438 CE at the start of the reign of King Borommaratcha II (1424-1448 CE) of the Suphannaphum Dynasty. Later Royal chronicles of Ayutthaya (written after the fall of Ayutthaya) changed that date and put the temple's construction in 1424 CE, a year generally accepted as King Borommaratcha's throne ascendancy.
1440/1 - A rebel from Tavoy (Dawei) assembled an army of 5000 men and settled near Chayaveriya (Chis Baker: maybe Thayetchaung). A Mon chief (Imharihera) with troops of Taithong (N of Tavoy) attacked the rebel who fled to Thanaosi (Tenasserim). The Mon chief established himself after that at Tavoy and requested King Borommaracha II to establish Chayaveriya as a dependent territory. The Siamese King agreed with this and ordered the Mon Chief to appoint two relatives to rule the cities of Palauk and Palaw. [Baker, Chris - The Vickery Chronicle]
1440/1 - King Borommaracha II assembled an army and proceeded to Kamphaeng Phet to join the armies of Sawangkhalok, Pitsanulok and Sukhothai to invest the city of Taithong. One army was formed under Khun Nakhonchai (title) with a total of 50,000 troops, 60 elephants and 1000 horses which proceeded to Moulmein (Mawlamleung). After some losses on the Siamese side, the tides turned, and the Siamese army returned. [The Vickery Chronicle]
1441/2 - A fire broke out at the Royal Palace and burned down the Trimuk Hall. [Ref: The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya - Richard D. Cushman (2006) - King Boromaracha II, 1424-1448, page 15 / Source: Luang Prasoet]
1442 - King Borommaracha II attacked Chiang Mai. The war was unsuccessful, and he became ill and returned to Ayutthaya. [Ref: The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya - Richard D. Cushman (2006) - King Boromaracha II, 1424-1448, page 15 / Source: Luang Prasoet]
1443 - The two Khmers, Phraya Kaeo and Phraya Tai (likely princes of royal blood captured in 1431), plotted with a certain Chiya Pracha Horat to rebel against King Borommaratcha II. Chiya Pracha Horat was promised to become ruler of Ayutthaya, while the two Khmers would return to Angkor. The plot was discovered, and the king gathered an army and rounded up the rebels. The king had the leaders of the plot and about thirty royal rebels impaled and exposed at Khlong Takhian. [Baker, Chris - The Vickery Chronicle]
1443/4 - The two younger brothers of the ruler of Nan, Phraya Kaen Thao, seized Nan. Phraya Kaen Thao was imprisoned but could escape via Sawang to Saluang. His father, the Phraya of Sawankhalok, went to Saluang to bring his son back to Chaliang (Sawankhalok) and was taken after that to Ayutthaya to pay respect to King Borommaracha II (Rem: The Nan and Chiang Mai Chronicles place this event at an earlier date around 1432). [Baker, Chris - The Vickery Chronicle]
1444/5 - King Borammaracha II gave orders to the Phraya of Chaliang (Sawankhalok) to bring back the City of Nan under the control of Ayutthaya. He ordered Phitsanulok, Sukhothai and Kamphaeng Phet to deliver each 2000 troops, 20 elephants and 200 horses. While the ruler of Kamphaeng Phet was in Ayutthaya, the ruler of Trai Trueng raised 6000 troops and prepared for battle. The ruler of Kamphaeng Phet returned swiftly and attacked Trai Trueng. The defence was harsh, and the Kamphaeng Phet army had to withdraw. On request, the ruler of Sawankhalok came to help the ruler of Kamphaeng Phet. Both armies invested the city and it was taken. A new ruler for Trai Trueng was installed together with 5000 troops along with horses and elephants. [Baker, Chris - The Vickery Chronicle]
1444/5 - King Borommaracha II went to pacify a rebellious faction. The Lawaek Chronicle state that Jao Yat, the rebellious Khmer prince, had killed Phraya Phraek, ruler of Angkor and the son of King Borommaracha II. The Siamese royal army likely attacked western Cambodia to reinstate order and to revenge for the killing of Phraya Phraek. One hundred and twenty thousand prisoners were taken. [Reference: The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya - Richard D. Cushman (2006) - page 16 / Source: Luang Prasoet, Phan Canthanumat, British Museum, Reverend Phonnarat, Phra Cakkraphatdiphong & Royal Autograph Baker Chris, The Vickery Chronicle]
1448 - King Borommaracha II died in 1448. According to the "Yum Phai", an ancient poem, he died during a campaign. King Tilokaracha of Lan Na Thai, around that time, undertook two expeditions to take Prae and Nan. The governor of Nan, Phraya Kenyhao, fled to Ayutthaya to seek aid. King Borommaracha II presumably responded to his appeal but died before he and his army had time to proceed very far. Prince Ramesuen, the Governor of Phitsanulok, became King and assumed the title of Borommatrailokanat, the 8th King of Ayutthaya. [Reference: The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya - Richard D. Cushman (2006) - page 16 / Source: Luang Prasoet, Phan Canthanumat, British Museum, Reverend Phonnarat, Phra Cakkraphatdiphong & Royal Autograph / A History of Siam - W.A.R. Wood (1924) - page 83 / History of Laos - M.L. Manich Jumsai (1967) - page 66]
Reign of King Borommatrailokanat (1448 - 1463)
1448 - King Borommatrailokanat handed over the Royal palace of his predecessors to be converted into the Phra Sri Sanphet Monastery. He established a new royal residence on the banks of the Lopburi River and built the Bencarat and Sanphet Palaces, just north of the former palace. He cremated the remains of King Ramathibodi I, which had been kept embalmed and constructed the Phra Ram Monastery. On the cremation site and a pagoda to enshrine the ashes of the monarch. [Reference: The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya - Richard D. Cushman (2006) - page 16 / Source: Phan Canthanumat, British Museum, Reverend Phonnarat, Phra Cakkraphatdiphong & Royal Autograph. / A History of Siam - W.A.R. Wood (1924) - page 83-84]
Wat Phra Ram is a restored temple ruin located in the Ayutthaya Historical Park in Pratu Chai Sub-district, close to the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Sri Sanphet in a swampy area called Bueng Phra Ram. The monastery was constructed on the cremation site of the first Ayutthaya monarch, King Ramathibodi I (reign 1351-1369 CE).
1455 - Attack against the Sultanate of Malakka - See Boebatnja document
1456 - Attack against the Sultanate of Malakka - See Boebatnja document
1456 - Siamese envoy to China complained regarding the plundering of a Siamese vessel by the Chams. The last are ordered to compensate for the loss. The Chams retorted that it was done in retaliation for identical former acts by the Siamese. [Reference: Bowring, John (1857) - The Kingdom and People of Siam Vol I - London, John W. Parker and Son, West Strand - page 74]
1461 - War with Si Satchanalai/Sawankhalok (and Lan Chang).
1462 - In 1462, the ruler of Nakhon Thai, with its inhabitants, fled to Nan. A Siamese army was sent after them and got them back. The army marched after that on Sukhothai and brought the city to submission. [Reference: The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya - Richard D. Cushman (2006) - page 17 / Source: Luang Prasoet.]
Reign of King Borommaracha III (1463-1488) / King Inthararacha II (1488-1491)
1463 - King Borommatrailokanat moved the royal throne to Phitsanulok to cope with the incursions from Chiangmai. He put his elder son as Regent of Ayutthaya with the title Borommaracha III. Prince Intharacha, his younger son, accompanied him to Phitsanulok. The latter remained the capital of Siam for about twenty-five years. [Reference: The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya - Richard D. Cushman (2006) - page 17 / Source: Luang Prasoet / A History of Siam - W.A.R. Wood (1924) - page 88]
1463 - War with Lan Na - King Tilokaracha invaded Siam again and sent an army to take Sukhothai. King Borommatrailokanat and Prince Intharacha reacted from Phitsanulok. The King's eldest son, the regent Borommaracha III, attacked and routed the forces of Phraya Thian. He engaged Mun Nakhon's troops and fought a duel on an elephant with Mun Nakhon. The Chiang Mai army was repulsed, and the Siamese advance guard caught up with the Chieng Mai army near Doi Ba. The young Prince Intharacha, accompanied by the Governors of Kamphaeng Phet and Sukhothai, attacked four elephants ridden by the ex-Governor of Sawankhalok and three noted Chiengmai warriors. Prince Intharacha and his companions were driven down, on their elephants, into a swamp, and the prince received an arrow wound in the face. They were finally forced to retreat and rejoined the main army of King Borommatrailokanat. Both parties ended their campaign and returned. [Reference: The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya - Richard D. Cushman (2006) - page 17 / Source: Luang Prasoet. / A History of Siam - W.A.R. Wood (1924) - page 88-9]
1472 - Siam requested China a new passport in 1472. [Reference: Bowring, John (1857) - The Kingdom and People of Siam Vol I - London, John W. Parker and Son, West Strand - page 74/75]
1474/5 - War with Chaliang - The Siamese King invaded the Chiang Mai territories, attacked Chiengjuen and killed the governor Mun Kwaen. The Siamese army also seized Chaliang (Sawankhalok). King Tilokaracha succeeded in recapturing Chiengjuen, but Sawankhalok remained in the hands of the Siamese. In 1475 the King of Chiang Mai Tilokaracha asked to establish friendly relations. Although nothing appears to have been settled, open hostilities ceased for several years. [The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya - Richard D. Cushman (2006) - page 17 / Source: Luang Prasoet, Phan Canthanumat, British Museum, Reverend Phonnarat, Phra Cakkraphatdiphong, Royal Autograph. / A History of Siam - W.A.R. Wood (1924) - pages 91-2 / History of Laos - M.L. Manich Jumsai (1967) - page 69]
The large historical temple complex of Wat Phra Si Ratana Maha That is situated on a peninsula almost entirely surrounded by the Yom river, southeast of Si Satchanalai town at Chaliang. Chaliang is the smallest zone of the Si Satchanalai Historical Park and contains the ruins of an ancient town established by the Khmer before the start of the Sukhothai era. The decorative stucco bearing the Bayon art style of ancient Khmer was found at the temple's main entrance. Archaeological evidence excavated here, including foundations of earlier brick structures found beneath two buildings called Vihara Luang and Vihara Phra Song Phi Nong and fragments of roofing tile with designs in Bayon art style, point out clearly that Wat Phra Si Rattana Maha That was initially founded before the Sukhothai period.
1488 - War with Tavoy - King Borommaracha III captured Tavoy in 1488. (Following the history writer William Wood, it was not certain whether Tavoy at that time was an independent principality or was subjected to Siam and had rebelled.) [Reference: The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya - Richard D. Cushman (2006) - page 18 / Source: Luang Prasoet, Phan Canthanumat, British Museum, Reverend Phonnarat, Phra Cakkraphatdiphong, Royal Autograph. / A History of Siam - W.A.R. Wood (1924) - page 94]
Reign of King Ramathibodi II (1491-1529)
1492 - King Ramathibodi II erected two pagodas at Wat Phra Sri Sanphet to enshrine the ashes of his father, King Borommatrailokanat and his elder brother, King Borommaracha III. These chedis still can be seen today. [Reference: The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya - Richard D. Cushman (2006) - page 18 / Source: Luang Prasoet. / A History of Siam - W.A.R. Wood (1924) - page 95]
1496 - Beijing required Siamese interpreters in 1496. [Reference: Bowring, John (1857) - The Kingdom and People of Siam Vol I - London, John W. Parker and Son, West Strand - page 75]
1498 - Khlong Samrong was re-dug in 1498 during the reign of King Ramathibodi II. The canal connected the Bang Pakong River with the Chao Phraya River below Khlong Toei, broadening an existing natural canal to allow the passage of ships. [Reference: The Chao Phya, River in Transition - Steve Van Beeck (1995) - page 39-40.]
In 1499 King Ramathibodi II gave the order to build a preaching hall at Wat Sri Sanphet.[Reference: The Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya - Richard D. Cushman (2006) - page 18 / Source: Luang Prasoet.]
Wat Phra Si Sanphet is situated on the city island in the Ayutthaya Historical Park in the Pratu Chai Sub-district. It has been registered as a national historic site by the Fine Arts Department since 5 March 1935 CE. This monastery was the most important temple of Ayutthaya and was situated within the Grand Palace grounds. It served as a model for the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok.