The expression "Dim times of Cambodia", likewise the "Center Period" alludes to the chronicled time from the mid fifteenth century to 1863, the start of the French Protectorate of Cambodia. Solid sources ___especially for the fifteenth and sixteenth century ___ are exceptionally uncommon. An indisputable clarification that identifies with solid occasions showing the decrease of the Khmer Empire has not yet been delivered. In any case, most current history specialists assent that few particular and progressive changes of religious, dynastic, regulatory and military nature, natural issues and environmental unevenness agreed with movements of force in Indochina and should all be considered to make an understanding. Lately center has remarkably moved towards concentrates on atmosphere changes, human–environment cooperation and the natural results.
Epigraphy in sanctuaries, closes in the third decade of the fourteenth, and does not continue until the mid-sixteenth century. Recording of the Royal Chronology ceases with King Jayavarman IX Parameshwara (or Jayavarma-Paramesvara) - there exists not a solitary contemporary record of even a lord's name for more than 200 years. Development of great sanctuary design had ground to a halt after Jayavarman VIIth rule. As indicated by creator Michael Vickery there just exist outside hot spots for Cambodia's fifteenth century, the Chinese Ming Shilu records and the soonest Royal Chronicle of Ayutthaya. Wang Shi-zhen (王世貞), a Chinese researcher of the sixteenth century, commented: "The official history specialists are over the top and are skilful at covering reality; yet the commemorations and statutes they record and the reports they duplicate can't be disposed of."
The focal reference point for the whole fifteenth century is a Siamese intercession of some undisclosed nature at the capital Yasodharapura (Angkor Thom) around the year 1431. History specialists relate the occasion to the movement of Cambodia's political focus southward to the area of Phnom Penh, Longvek and later Oudong.
"As Siam turned into Cambodia's essential adversary after the downfall of Angkor, it put a conclusion to the example of irresolute power that Cambodia's majestic investigation on its western outskirts had so adequately delayed."
Hot spots for the sixteenth century are increasingly various. The kingdom is focused at the Mekong, succeeding as an indispensable part of the Asian oceanic exchange system, by means of which the main contact with European pilgrims and globe-trotters occurs. as the main contact with European voyagers and travelers occurs. Wars with the Siamese result in loss of region and in the end the victory of the capital Longvek in 1594. The Vietnamese on their "Southward March" reach Prei Nokor/Saigon at the Mekong Delta in the seventeenth century. This occasion starts the moderate procedure of Cambodia losing access to the oceans and free marine exchange.
Siamese and Vietnamese strength strengthened amid the seventeenth and eighteenth century, bringing about continuous removals of the seat of force as the Khmer regal power diminished to the condition of a vassal. In the mid nineteenth century with lines in Vietnam and Siam immovably settled, Cambodia was set under joint suzerainty, having lost its national sway. English specialist John Crawfurd states: "...the King of that old Kingdom is prepared to toss himself under the assurance of any European nation..." To spare Cambodia from being consolidated into Vietnam and Siam, King Ang Duong consented to frontier France's offers of insurance, which produced results with King Norodom Prohmbarirak marking and authoritatively perceiving the French protectorate on 11 August 1863.
