In the last decade of the 16th century, along with the Portuguese adventurer Diogo Veloso from Amarante, Blas Ruiz was the first European to ever set foot in Laos.
When they arrived they learned Satha had fled to Lan Xang, an empire centered in modern-day Laos and consisting of Isan, Stung Treng, and small areas of Southern China and Vietnam.
However, first both tried to negotiate with the usurper Preah Ram I and offering themselves as mediators on the dynastic disputes, and also develop trade relations between Spain and Cambodia, giving exotic gifts to the king (like american silver, but specially a donkey, very rare for the zone).
After that, both sailed back to Manila, while also recruited locals to swell their ranks (specially if they were still loyal to the former dynasty), and continued with their plan to go to Laos and find the rightful king and friends.
They were met with a procession showing off the city's immense wealth consisting of Asian elephants, gold, jewels, silk, exotic snakes, bouquets of tropical flowers, chanting monks, Buddhist treasures and relics, music, and beautiful women.
Saddened and angered by the news, Ruiz and Veloso returned to Lovek and started a rebellion to put one of Satha's political allies on the throne and free Cambodia from Ayatthaya.
They could be killed at Phnom Penh in July 1599 during a fight between Christians (Spanish and Filipinos) and Muslim Malay mercenaries of Barom Reacha II, who was Satha's son.