Chaophraya Phitsanulok

[8]: 1, 246 Rueang was born in Ayutthaya Kingdom, descended from Chaophra Pichayasurindara (Thai: เจ้าพระพิไชยสุรินทร์), the grandson of King Phetracha,[9][10]: 342–343  in Ban Phlu Luang dynasty, and later H.R.H.

In his early life, Rueang was in charge of Siamese military affairs[10]: 342–343  and a scribe[15]: 196  in Krom Mahatthai of the Ayutthaya Kingdom during King Thai Sa's era.

He had a reputation as a famous elder warrior and was respected by many Ayutthaya courtiers, following the successful defeat of Burmese royal troops who attacked Phisanulok city during the Burmese–Siamese War (1765–1767).

"[18]: 68–72 [19]: 32 (Translation): Thai historians said that Chaophraya Phitsanulok (Rueang) was a strong and proficient commander-in-chief, highly trusted by King of Siam, who had superior honor and power than other regional governors of cities whom them being appointed to command army forces.

During Burmese-Siamese War, Chaophraya Phitsanulok (Rueang) was engaged skilfully with Burmese troops, finally he gets appointed as commander-in-chief, operating outer of Ayutthaya city wall.

If there was a strong proficient nobleman e.g., Chaophraya Phitsanulok (Rueang) to command Siamese army forces, it was possible to protect from and to engage with Burmese troops.

Lan Na (Thailand's history, preferably called Chiang Mai) was in apparent rebellion against the Burmese royal court during 1761–1763, when it was state-independent and currently under the reign of Phraya Chantha (Thai: พญาจันท์)[24][25] and the supportive military of the Ayutthaya Kingdom.

Once Phitsanulok's army arrived at Ban Rahaeng (Thai: บ้านระแหง) located in Tak city, approximately 280 km south of Chiang Mai,.

After Ne Myo Thihapate had already seized Kamphaeng Phet city at the end of the rainy season, the History of Burma stated that Ne Myo Thihapate had successfully seized the Ayutthaya Kingdom's principal northern cities, Sukhothai and Phitsanulok, whose Burmese historical materials were completely contradictory compared to the History of Siam.

Prince Damrong Rajanubhab pointed out that it was impossible that the governor of Phitsanulok could be allowed to return to Phitsanilok city during the Burmese-Siamese war incident.

[31]: 216 Later, King Ekkathat appointed Chaophraya Phitsanulok (Rueang) to suppress Burmese troops commanded by Ne Myo Thihapate marching from the northern of the Ayutthaya Kingdom.

"[25]: 344 (Translation): "A chief advisor of northern city further informed official news that Burmese troops had been marched from the north, the Supreme Chancellor of Krom Mahatthai informed King Ekkathat, the King immediately stated a royal order to Chaophraya Phitsanulok (Rueang) to deploy Siamese troops and attack Burmese reinforcements."

And Yodayar Naing Mawgun (Burmese: ယိုးဒယားနိုင်မော်ကွန်း) by Letwe Nawrahta [note 2], translated by Soe Thuzar Myint, said in Second Part, Stanza 11 that :- "ME 1127 [22 August 1765], a day of victory and auspiciousness according to the omens, they marched from Lampang to Ayutthaya by land and water routes.

On the route during the march, they fought unflinchingly to quell such towns as Tak, Yarhai [Raheng], Kamphaeng Phet, Sawankhalok, Sukhothai, Rathama, and Phitsanulok which resisted the Myanmar army.

Unfortunately, all prisoners were unable to be restrained to Ayutthaya Royal Palace for punishment, so[25]: 345  the governor of Phitsanulok decided to execute all of them using the King's absolute power.

[42] According to the testimonials of Chen mo, Wen Shao and Lin Zhengchun said that Zhao wang ji (Chinese: 王吉)[43] is Krommamun Thepphiphit or Prince Khag (Thai: กรมหมื่นเทพพิพิธ), son of King Borommakot, the most formidable opponent of King Taksin, also fled to Phitsanulok under protection of Fu shi lu wang [the Governor of Phitsanulok (Rueang)] before he captured Nakhon Ratchasima and proclaim himself as a leader of Phimai's gathering.

[14]: (ฏำ) - (ฏะ)  He also conferred on his family's members, and many Ayudhyan courtiers to be in his service including his closest friend; Ocphra Akson Sunthonsat (Thongdi) (Thai: ออกพระอักษรสุนทรศาสตร์ (ทองดี)), the father of King Rama I, with the given noble title Chaophraya Chakri Sri Onkarak (Thongdi)[39]: 1  (Thai: เจ้าพระยาจักรีศรีองครักษ์ สมุหนายกเสนาบดี (ทองดี)), with sakdina 10000 and it is likely that, as regent or superintendent of the supreme governor's chief adviser.

The traces may be considerably associated with Chaophraya Phitsanulok's gathering in 1768, stated in the result that :- "เมื่อกรุงศรีอยุธยาเสียแก่ข้าศึกในปี ๒๓๑๐ แล้ว ในสมัยกรุงธนบุรี ปรากฏว่าเจ้าเมืองพิษณุโลกในขณะนั้นได้ตั้งตัวเป็นใหญ่เรียกว่า ชุมนุมเจ้าพิษณุโลก มีร่องรอยหลักฐานบางประการที่พบภายในพระราชวังจันทน์แสดงถึงความพยายามที่จะมีการเข้ามาบูรณะและสร้างกำแพงอาคารขึ้นบนพื้นที่นี้อีกครั้ง ร่องรอยนี้อาจเกี่ยวข้องกับการที่เจ้าเมืองพิษณุโลกพยายามที่จะฟื้นฟูบริเวณพระราชวังเก่าให้เป็นที่อยู่ขึ้นใหม่"[52]: 31–32 (Translation): In Thonburi period after the post-second fall of Ayutthaya in B.E.

There are some traces and evidences found at Chan Royal Palace (Phitsanulok) relate to restoration and reconstruction of buildings and walls at this area.

Whilst King Taksin sough approval from the Chinese emperor, he started seeking to purge the remaining princes of Ban Phlu Luang Dynasty.

Priest King or Sangharaja of Fang,[48]: 269  personal name; Ruan (Thai: เจ้าพระฝาง (เรือน)), became a notorious sensuality and violence chief Buddhist monk,[68]: 142  who was renowned for his supernatural powers and ruled Sawangburi or Sawangkhaburi city supported by many other monks, (Sawangburi is now a district of Uttaradit province in Rattanakosin Period), located at northward of Pitsanulok.

The Royal Chronicle of Letters by the King's Own Hand, composed by Prince Damrong Rajanubhab said :- "จัดแจงกองทัพยกลงมาตีเมืองพระพิศณุโลก ตั้งค่ายล้อมเมืองทั้งสองฟากน้ำ แลเจ้าพิศณุโลกยกพลทหารออกต่อรบเปนสามารถ ทัพฝางจะหักเอาเมืองมิได้ แต่รบกันอยู่ประมาณหกเดือน ทัพฝางก็พากันเลิกกลับไปเมือง"[12]: 308 (Translation): Chao Phra Fang marched his troops downward and encamped at both sides of the Nan River to attack Phitsanulok.

The battle tactics of Phitsanulok ever recorded, was to utilize Siamese slender boat (Thai: เรือเพรียว) as conveyance, to ensconce behind riverside hills and stealthily attack their foes.

The Royal Chronicle of Thonburi Kingdom Version of Phan Channumat (Choem) said :- "ลุศักราช เสด็จยกพลนิกรดำเนินทัพ สรรพด้วยโยธาหาญใหญ่น้อยขึ้นไปปราบเมืองพิษณุโลกถึงตำบลเกยไชย พระยาพิษณุโลกรู้ประพฤติเหตุ แต่งพลทหารให้หลวงโกษา (ยัง) ยกออกมาตั้งรับ พระเจ้าอยู่หัวเสด็จนำพลทั้งปวงเข้ารณรงค์ด้วยข้าศึกครั้งนั้น ฝ่ายข้าศึกยิงปืนมาดังห่าฝนต้องพระชงฆ์เบื้องซ้าย เลียบตัดผิวพระมังสะไปจึงให้ลาดทัพกลับยังกรุงธนบุรี"[72]: 34 (Translation): In 1768, King Taksin marched troops with heavy armaments and infantry companies to suppress Phitsanilok city.

The combat engagement was immensely occurred, while Chaomun Viyavaranat (Thai: เจ้าหมื่นไวยวรนาถ) was sitting in front of King Taksin's battleship, a projectile from Phitsanulok's troops passed close to his legs, and his loincloth was torn.

Memoirs of Princess Narindaradevi (Thai: พระเจ้าไปยิกาเธอ กรมหลวงนรินทรเทวี) said :- "ไปตีเกยชัย ถูกปืนไม่เข้า"[74]: 2 (Translation): King Taksin unexpectedly encountered battle at Koei Chai and he was shot indirectly.

The event was recorded in Royal Brahman's Almanac :- "ศักราช ๑๑๒๗ ปีระกา เศษ ๓ ไอ้พม่าล้อมกรุง ชนออกฝีตายมากแล"[75]: 18 (Translation): Thai lesser era 1127 Year of the Rooster, Burmeses surrounded the Ayutthaya city, Siamese escaped and died many of smallpox.

The Sangitiyavansa composed by Somdej Phra Wannaratna of Wat Phrachetupon in 1789, said :- "พระองค์เสวยราชในนครพิษณุโลกนั้นได้ ๖ เดือน มีอายุได้ ๔๙ ก็ทำกาลกิริยาไป"[69]: 417–418 (Translation): King Rueang was enthroned for six months in Phitsanulok and died at forty–nine years old.

After Sawangburi's ruler, Chao Phra Fang (Thai: เจ้าพระฝาง (เรือน)) acknowledged King Reang's death, he quickly deployed his troops to retake Phitsanulok.

Luang Kosa (yang) (Thai: หลวงโกษา (ยัง)) was a supporter of Chao Phra Fang side, and lately he gets appointed as commander in Phitsanulok.