PhnomPenh was officially chosen as the capital of Cambodia in the 15th century under King Ponhea Yat when the capital Angkor Thom was captured by the Siamese. The court had to withdraw from the Northwest to the Southeast, taking PhnomPenh as its new headquarters. Today, among the stupas behind Wat Phnom is the stupa containing the remains of Ponhea Yat and his royal family. Other remnants of the golden age of Angkor that remain are several Buddha statues at Wat Phnom. However, it was not until 1866 under King Norodom I that PhnomPenh became a permanent Khmer headquarters. The Khmer King's Palace was built during this period, marking the time when the small village gradually transformed into a metropolis.
