The earliest known mention is found in the chronicle of Vatt Kok Kak, which was compiled in 1869 during the reign of King Norodom, and several later versions reproduce or build upon the story.
Because of the latter's gift of prescience, he allegedly knew that Thailand would one day have a king and Siam would be considered as a separate land free from paying tribute to the Khmer Empire.
Dam Din is presented in Thai popular history as the Khmer general who was defeated by the first legendary ruler of Siam, King Phra Ruang.
A Khmer spy, Damn Din, magically "diving underground", was sent to find him, but not knowing Phra Ruang's face, inadvertently asked him when they met.
[5] Dam Din is often represented in and around Angkorian ruins, temples and pagodas in Cambodia, such as the Banteay Prey Nokor in Kampong Cham.
The story of Techo Dam Din has been incorporated into Cambodian history textbooks, and was made into the epic film Decho Domden in 2001.
However, the film portrays Techo as a general who leads Cambodian armies to victory over the invading Siamese, scenarios more reflective of Siam's invasions of Cambodia in the 15th and 16th centuries.