In the Thonburi Period from 1767-1782, wars were fought to defend and expand the country almost all the time. King Taksin was the only king of the Thonburi Period. He has been recognized as one of the great Thai kings, for his prowess in warfare, his leadership in liberating the country after Ayutthaya was taken by the Burmese in 1767, and his ability in unifying the country after it had been split up into many factions.