เจ้าพระยาพิษณุโลก (Rueang Rochanakul) | |||||||||||||||
Birth Name: | Rueang (also known as Ruang) | ||||||||||||||
Birth Date: | 1719 | ||||||||||||||
Birth Place: | Ayutthaya, Ayutthaya Kingdom | ||||||||||||||
Death Date: | November 1768 | ||||||||||||||
Death Place: | Phitsanulok, Thonburi Kingdom | ||||||||||||||
Spouse-Type: | Wife | ||||||||||||||
Spouse: | Lady Qingchiang | ||||||||||||||
Succession: | King of Phitsanulok | ||||||||||||||
Reign: | 1768 | ||||||||||||||
Predecessor: | Enthroned | ||||||||||||||
Regent: | Chaophraya Chakri (Thongdi) | ||||||||||||||
Successor: | Phraya Chaiyabun (Chan) | ||||||||||||||
Succession2: | Governor of Phitsanulok | ||||||||||||||
Reign2: | 1732 – 7 April 1767 | ||||||||||||||
Predecessor2: | Chaophraya Phitsanulok (Mek) (1708–1732) | ||||||||||||||
Successor2: | Maha Sura Singhanat (1770–1803) | ||||||||||||||
Module: |
|
Chaophraya Phitsanulok[1] [2] (Thai: เจ้าพระยาพิษณุโลก, in Thai pronounced as /tɕâw pʰráʔ jaː pʰít sàːʔ núʔ lôːk/1719– November 1768), personal name Rueang (Thai: เรือง) or Boonrueang (Thai: บุญเรือง), was governor of Phitsanulok city with the noble title Chaophraya Surasi Bisanuvadhiraj (Thai: เจ้าพระยาสุรสีห์พิษณุวาธิราช), from 1732 to 1767. He was governor during the reign of King Borommakot, until the fall of the Ayutthaya Kingdom during the reign of King Ekkathat. In 1768, he proclaimed himself King Rueang of Phitsanulok, and declared Phitsanulok and part of Nakhon Sawan a new independent stat.[3] [4] [5] or Prince Rueang,[6] the King of Siam. His descendants were bestowed the Thai noble surname Rochanakul (Thai: โรจนกุล), a patronymic from Rueang’s family, by King Rama VI.[7]
Rueang was born in Ayutthaya Kingdom, descended from Chaophra Pichayasurindara (Thai: เจ้าพระพิไชยสุรินทร์), the grandson of King Phetracha,[8] [9] in Ban Phlu Luang dynasty, and later H.R.H. Prince of Krommamun Indarabhakdi (Thai: พระเจ้าหลานเธอ กรมหมื่นอินทรภักดี)[10] conferred by King Thai Sa era. His wife was Lady Qingchiang (Thai: จึงเชียง)[11] lady of Phitsanulok (Thai: ท่านผู้หญิงพิษณุโลก), half-Siamese-Chinese woman of the Chen family, and a daughter of Phraya Rajsubhawadi (Thai: พระยาราชสุภาวดี (โกวผก)), from a Chinese village in Ayutthaya. His younger brother was deputy governor of Phitsanulok, Phra Indara-akorn (Thai: พระอินทรอากร),[12] or Phraya Chaiyabun (Thai: พระยาไชยบูรณ์), personal name Chan (Thai: จัน).[13] His mother died after the second fall of the Ayutthaya Kingdom.
In his early life, Rueang was in charge of Siamese military affairs[9] and a scribe[14] in Krom Mahatthai of the Ayutthaya Kingdom during King Thai Sa's era.
In his adolescence, he was mostly in military service at Phitsanulok, coordinating officially with Luang Pinit Akson (Thongdi) (Thai: หลวงพินิจอักษร (ทองดี)).[14] Later, he was the permanent secretary of Phitsanulok city (Thai: พระปลัดเมืองพระพิษณุโลก).
In adulthood, after the previous governor of Phitsanulok died, King Borommakot appointed Rueang as governor of Phitsanulok and conferred on him the noble title Chaophraya Surasi Bisanuvadhiraj.(Thai: เจ้าพระยาสุรสีห์พิษณุวาธิราช,[15] He was a regent of the northern region, and his younger brother was deputy governor of Phitsanulok. During the Burmese-Siamese War (1765–1767), Rueang was appointed commander of northern military affairs. 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).[16]
In The Royal Sword, by Ministry of Interior (Thailand) said :-
In 1768, after the post-second fall of the Ayutthaya Kingdom interregnum, Chaophraya Phitsanulok (Rueang) proclaimed himself King Ruang, to be King of Siam.[17] He occupied the throne for only six months (some sources said he died only 7 days[17] after the ceremony) and died in November 1768[18] of a coughing fit.[19] Various sources said he died of abscess, scrofula, or smallpox symptoms when he was forty-nine years old.[20] (Another source said he was fifty-two years old.[13]) His younger-brother, Phraya Chaiyabun (Chan), ruled Phitsanulok city afterward.
See also: Burmese–Siamese War (1765–1767).
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)[21] [22] and the supportive military of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. According to the allegation of the Burmese King's lese majeste,[23] King Naungdawgyi, the King of Burma deployed royal Burmese troops of 50,000 men and appointed General Ne Myo Thihapate as commander-in-chief to criminalize Chiang Mai city.
In January 1762, Phraya Chantha of Chiang Mai wrote a royal letter with tribute presented to King Ekkathat, the King of Siam, informing him of an invasion from Burma and requesting that Chiang Mai become a tributary state of Siam and request Siam troops to fight against the Burmese troops.[22]
King Ekkathat deployed Siamese troops of 5,000 men[22] and appointed Chaophraya Phitsanulok (Rueang) as commander-in-chief. Once Phitsanulok's army arrived at Ban Rahaeng (Thai: บ้านระแหง) located in Tak city, approximately 280 km south of Chiang Mai,. However, Chiang Mai was already defeated by Burmese troops within 4-5 months,[22] and Abyagamani (Burmese: အဘယဂါမဏိ) (Thai: โป่อภัยคามินี or อะปะยะกามณี<ref name="chronicle_ayuth_phonnarat_manu_2015"/>{{rp|341) was appointed to rule Chiang Mai, the state colony of Burma. King Ekkathat acknowledged that and then stated a royal order to discharge Phitsanulok troops.
The Royal Chronicle of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya said :-
On November 28, 1762, King Hsinbyushin of Burma, according to King Alaungpaya died. To uphold Alaungpaya's wish, King Hsinbyushin assembled Burmese troops of 20,000 men to reinforce his troops in Chiang Mai in 1763.[23] Not only did General Ne Myo Thihapate get appointed to control the troops, but a number of courtiers were also appointed in readiness for marching to Ayutthaya Kingdom.
The Royal Chronicle of Myanmar composed in 1913 A.D. by Prince Narathip Praphanphong said :-
The large two arrays of the Burmese expeditionary army marched to Ayutthaya Kingdom in 1765; the northern array of Burmese troops, as the main front, commanded by Ne Myo Thihapate, numbered over 20,000 men (in the history of Thailand, up to 10,000 men[22]) during their stay in Lampang city nearby Ayutthaya Kingdom. While the south array of the combined troops, approximately 20,000 men, was commanded by Maha NawrahtaKing Ekkathat then appointed Chaophraya Phitsanulok (Rueang), Governor of Phitsanulok, as commander-in-chief of the northern front to eliminate the Burmese troops from northern cities to the Ayutthaya Kingdom's center. Consequently, the Governor of Phitsanulok marched to Ayutthaya, where he encamped at Wat Phu Khao Thong (Thai: วัดภูเขาทอง)[22] (or The Golden Mountain Temple), located approximately 3 km northwest of the Ayutthaya Grand Palace, where the architecture-Mon pagoda in the temple was built by King Bayinnaung in 1569 as the monument of Burmese victory in Burmese–Siamese War (1568–1569), a.k.a. the first fall of Ayutthaya Kingdom.
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.[24] Many The Royal Chronicles of Siam stated that Chaophraya Phitsanulok (Rueang), the Governor of Phitsanulok, triumphed over Ne Myo Thihapate's troops at Sukhothai,[25] and Phitsanulok became a shelter for tremendous Ayutthaya courtiers and the Siamese Royal family of the Ban Phlu Luang Dynasty[26] a.k.a. Chaophraya Phitsanulok (Rueang)’s gathering in 1767–1769 (Thai: ชุมนุมเจ้าพระยาพิษณุโลก (เรือง)), the largest gathering in Thonburi interim.
During the encampment of Phitsanulok troops at Wat Phu Khao Thong, Chaophraya Phitsanulok (Rueang), the commander-in-chief, requested royal permission to return to Phitsanilok city to incinerate his mother's remains by informing King Ekkathat through Phraya Phonladep (Thai: พระยาพลเทพ), and left his three subordinates,[22] [27] Luang Mahatthai (Thai: หลวงมหาดไทย), Luang Kosa (Thai: หลวงโกษา (ยัง)) and Luang Thepsena (Thai: หลวงเทพเสนา), in charge his troops. The King would later grant permission. 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.[28]
Later, King Ekkathat appointed Chaophraya Phitsanulok (Rueang) to suppress Burmese troops commanded by Ne Myo Thihapate marching from the northern of the Ayutthaya Kingdom.
The Royal Chronicle of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya said :-
In August 1765, Gen. Ne Myo Thihapate marched the Burmese troop of 40,000 men from Lampang downward to the south. Unfortunately, his march was interrupted by Siamese troops sporadically during the movement. Consequently, Ne Myo Thihapate successfully seized all of the major northern major cities and camped at Phitsanilok.
The Royal Chronicle of Myanmar, composed in 1913 A.D. by Prince Narathip Praphanphong said :-
And Yodayar Naing Mawgun (Burmese: ယိုးဒယားနိုင်မော်ကွန်း) by Letwe Nawrahta, translated by Soe Thuzar Myint, said in Second Part, Stanza 11 that :-
On August 22, 1765, Gen. Ne Myo Thihapate marched 40,000 Burmese troops south from Lampang and successfully seized the northern cities; Pichai (Thai: พิชัย), Sawan Lok (Thai: สวรรคโลก) and Sukhothai (Thai: สุโขทัย). Phraya Sukhothai (Thai: พระยาสุโขทัย), governor of Sukhothai, intercepted Burmese troops, and Ne Myo Thihapate encamped at Sukhothai city. Chaophraya Phitsanulok (Rueang) and the chief advisor of the northern city arrayed the reinforcements and marched immediately to Sukhothai.[29]
The Siamese reinforcement-expeditionary troops, commanded by the governor of Phitsanulok, engaged Ne Myo Thihapate's Burmese troops in November 1765.[30] [31]
In Yodaya Naing Mawgun by Letwe Nawrahta said :-
And The Royal Chronicle of Myanmar, composed in 1913 A.D. by Prince Narathip Praphanphong said :-
During the battle of Burmese and Siamese troops at Sukhothai city, another group of Phitsanulok subsidiary troops, which were still encamped at Wat Phu Khao Thong, was commanded by three subordinates of governor of Phitsanulok: Luang Mahatthai, Luang Kosa, and Luang Depsena.
Prince Chit (Thai: เจ้าฟ้าจีด) was imprisoned in Ayutthaya Grand Place. Luang Kosa was intrigued underhandedly and fled from Phitsanulok's troop to assist him. Prince Chit then bribed the prison officials and fled with Luang Kosa, H.S.H. Chim and his aides to Phisanulok, the northern city.
The Royal Chronicle of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya said :-
In December 1765, Chaophraya Phitsanulok (Rueang) triumphed over Ne Myo Thihapate's troops. The Burmese troops dispersed back toward Nakhon Sawan. The governor of Phitsanulok encamped in Sukhothai, near the border of Phitsanulok where the combat engagement still continued.
King Ekkathat acknowledged Prince Chit's jailbreak and then appointed officials to follow them, but they failed to catch them.[22]
On his arrival to Phitsanulok, where there were only a few noblemen and the governor's wife; Lady Qingchaing (Thai: ท่านผู้หญิงเชียง or จึงเชียง),[22] Prince Chit not only seized Phitsanulok city and proclaimed himself as governor of Phitsanulok, but he also forfeited and committed arson against Chaophraya Phitsanulok (Rueang)’s house.[22]
Lady Qingchaing and her slaves fled to Sukhuthai by floating upward along the Nan River, so that she could inform her spouse,[22] Chaophraya Phitsanulok (Rueang), that Phitsanulok had been seized. Chaophraya Phitsanulok (Rueang) then deployed troops at the border of Phitsanulok, ruled by Prince Chit, and engaged with the rebel's troops. Consequently, Prince Chit's troops were dispersed and later captured by Chaophraya Phitsanulok's (Rueang's) troops. Unfortunately, all prisoners were unable to be restrained to Ayutthaya Royal Palace for punishment, so[22] the governor of Phitsanulok decided to execute all of them using the King's absolute power. Prince Chit was executed by drowning in the Nan River[22] with the exception of his daughter, H.S.H. Chim (Thai: หม่อมเจ้าหญิงฉิม), who was acquitted.Ne Myo Thihapate took this opportunity and continued to march reinforcements downward to Ayutthaya without engaging Phitsanulok's army. Ne Myo Thihapate's troops reached Ayutthaya on January 20 January 1766, and besieged Ayutthaya with Maha Nawrahta's army.
Early in the second fall of Ayutthaya, on April 7, 1767, the outer principal cities in the Ayutthaya Kingdom were dispersing a siege of Burmese troops. Ayutthaya's royal descendants, nobles, and men slipped hastily away from the capital of Ayutthaya and[32] fled avoidably to Phitsanulok, the great city in northern Siam, with the strong figure of Chaophraya Phitsanulok (Rueang) who triumphed over Burmese troops,[24] led by General Ne Myo Thihapate.
In 1767, Chaofa Chit (Thai: เจ้าฟ้าจีด), also known as H.R.H. Prince Chit, The Prince of Krommakhun Surindarasongkram (Thai: พระเจ้าลูกยาเธอ เจ้าฟ้าจีด กรมขุนสุรินทรสงคราม) and his allies imprisoned at Ayutthaya Royal Palace, escaped[33] by bribing officials with supportive nobleman Luang Kosa (Thai: หลวงโกษา (ยัง)), the Governor of Phitsanulok's adjutant, then fled immediately to Phitsanulok with H.S.H. Chim (Thai: หม่อมเจ้าหญิงฉิม), Chaofa Chit's daughter. Consequently, he was executed[33] by the order of the Governor of Phitsanulok, where he caused trouble by seizing Phitsanulok and committing arson the city governor's house.[34]
One of the old-closest friends of Chaophraya Phitsanulok (Rueang), named Thongdi or Ocphra Akson Sunthonsat (Thai: ออกพระอักษรสุนทรศาสตร์ (ทองดี)),[35] a father of King Rama I, and who, being the grand primogenitor of the Chakri dynasty (Thai: สมเด็จพระปฐมบรมมหาชนก (ทองดี)), fled to Phitsanulok with his wife, Bunma (Thai: บุญมา; เจ้าจอมมารดามา), his son, La (Thai: คุณลา; กรมหลวงจักรเจษฎา) and his aides, due to the Governor of Phitsanulok (Rueang) was his intimately familiar friend[36] [37] in his early life since he was in the service of Krom Mahatthai.
Thao Songkandan, the royal maid (Thai: ท้าวทรงกันดาร (ทองคำ)), was recently conferred as the royal mother during the reign of King Taksin (Thai: เจ้าจอมมารดาทิม ในสมเด็จพระเจ้ากรุงธนบุรี) was sheltered herself and her family at Phitsanulok too.[38]
According to the testimonials of Chen mo, Wen Shao and Lin Zhengchun said that Zhao wang ji (Chinese: 王吉)[39] 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.
Zhao wang ji sheltered himself under the protection of a local chief of Fu shi lu wang. Zhao wang ji is Kroma Mun Thepphiphit, who is a son of King Borommakot. Nithi points out that Kroma Mun Thepphiphit was the most formidable opponent of King Taksin… ...Zhao wang ji, who is a half elder brother of the King of Siam [King Ekathat] is around fifty years old. He is the son of the Siamese old King and a woman of the Baitou race.[40]
After the post-second fall of Ayutthaya, there were five powerful aspirants—independent for the position consequently—where the governor of Phitsanulok (Rueang) controls lower northern Siam, Phitsanulok, and a portion of Nakhon Sawan. Because of these large numbers of courtiers, perhaps they are ambitiously encouraging him in his royal proclamation[27] so that to merely exalt himself to rule Phitsanulok as King of Siam.
In 1768. InThonburi interim, an insurrection incident had been occurring after the second fall of Ayutthaya, and there was no longer a central government.[41] During the mid-year,[42] Chaophraya Phitsanulok (Rueang) royally proclaimed himself as King Ruang (Thai: พระเจ้าพิศณุโลก (เรือง)),[43] King of Siam on his dynastic connection,[44] and also raised Phitsanulok city and a portion of Nakhon Sawan, totaling 7 counties, as the new capital of Ayutthaya Kingdom, the city was named; Krung Phra Phitsanulok Rajthani Sri Ayudhya Mahanakon (Thai: กรุงพระพิศณุโลกย์ราชธานีศรีอยุทธยามหานคร).[13] 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)[35] (Thai: เจ้าพระยาจักรีศรีองครักษ์ สมุหนายกเสนาบดี (ทองดี)), with sakdina 10000 and it is likely that, as regent or superintendent of the supreme governor's chief adviser.[17]
In the Letter of King Mongkut to Sir John Bowring said :-
Three aides[45] of Chaophraya Chakri (Thongdi), Thong Khwan, Yim and Yam, son of Luang Raksena (Jamras) (Thai: หลวงรักษ์เสนา (จำรัส) สกุลศรีเพ็ญ), also received title, namely, Thong Khwan was Nai Chamnan (Thai: นายชำนาญ), as staff officer, and both Yim and Yam were clerk in Military affairs a.k.a. Krom Mahatthai of Phitsanulok, respectively.
The coronation of Chao Phitsanulok was done traditionally according to the procedures of the King of Ayutthaya, except a parade procession around the city was postponed.
King Ruang resided at Chan Royal Palace[46] in Phitsanulok until he died in November, 1768. Whilst King Ruang stayed at Phitsanulok, he was involved in skirmishes for at least six months of his reign, particularly with Chao Phra Fang a.k.a. Priest King[3] who preferred to take the initiative war to seize Phitsanulok.[17]
thumb|300px|A reconstructed model of Chan Royal Palace, by Santi Leksukhum
In 2006, according to a survey result of Chan Royal Palace (Phitsanulok) by expedition of Lek-Prapai Viriyahpant Foundation (Bangkok, Thailand) (Thai: มูลนิธิเล็ก-ประไพ วิริยะพันธุ์), some traces were found regarding the restoration and reconstruction of buildings in the palace area. The traces may be considerably associated with Chaophraya Phitsanulok's gathering in 1768, stated in the result that :-
According to Qing Dynasty Archives,[47] King Ruang of Phitsanulok wrote a royal letter in 1767, sealed with his Chinese name; Fu Shi Lu (Chinese: 扶世祿)[48] or Fu Shi Lu Wang[40] (Chinese: 扶世祿王), meaning of King Phitsanulok, and he sent it to China Government by barque preceding his coronation in 1768. The letter was obtained by Viceroy of Liangguang named; Li Shiyao (Chinese: 李侍堯) and later presented to Qianlong Emperor, the emperor of the Qing dynasty on 17 July 1768[39] to report relevant situation of Siam. The King Ruang of Phitsanulok's letter or Fu Shi Lu's letter to which being sent to, was royally intended to ask the Chinese emperor for approval his status as the legitimate King of Siam as well as to forestall King Taksin from being recognized.
On 29 September 1768. Qianlong Emperor refused to approve King Taksin as legitimate King of Siam because he was not an heir apparent from the Ban Phlu Luang Dynasty. According to Fu Shi Lu's letter, there are still Fu Shi Lu [Phitsanulok],[40] Lukun [Nakohn Si Thammarat], and Gao Lie [Phimai (Prince Thepphiphit), royal descendant of Ban Phlu Luang Dynasty] in Siam who have not surrendered,[49] [50] and also asked Qianlong Emperor for approval of their status as King of Siam from Qianlong Emperor with Chinese imperial seal.
Whilst King Taksin sough approval from the Chinese emperor, he started seeking to purge the remaining princes of Ban Phlu Luang Dynasty.[51]
Lately, Viceroy Li Shiyao, secretly investigated some political asylums with the governor of Ha Tian in order to find the left princes of Siam and to report relevant situation of Ha Tian city to the Chinese emperor. Qianlong Emperor discovered two live princes; Prince Chui (Thai: เจ้าจุ้ย), and Prince Sisang (Thai: เจ้าศรีสังข์), descendants of Siam Dynasty, fled to Ha Tien[52] and sheltered themselves after the burning of Ayutthaya. Whilst Prince Chui sheltered himself at Ha Tien, Qianlong Emperor recognized his status as legitimate King of Siam,[53] and lately Prince Chui gathered troops in Ha Tien to seize King Taksin, the deplorable King of Siam.
Prince Sisang died at Ha Tien before being captured; Prince Chui was captured and killed by King Taksin in Siam during the interim Siamese–Vietnamese War (1771–1773).[54]
He [Taksin] thus left the chieu khoa Lien to hold Ha Tien and returned to Siam by dap [battleship] with his main force, the captive Mac family and Chieu Chuy [Prince Chui]. The last-named was killed in Siam.[55]
There is no apparent evidence that King Ruang was approved as the legitimate King of Siam despite the fact that he was a descendant of one royal member of the Ban Phlu Luang Dynasty, whilst King Ruang played a role in supporting remaining royal descendants.[40] However, King Ruang of Phitsanulok's letter or Fu Shi Lu's letter proved that he had been enthroned as King of Siam in Phitsanulok at least six months or more.[56]
See also: Taksin's reunification of Siam.
After dominating Ayutthaya Kingdom for 417 years, the kingdom was destroyed on Tuesday, April 7, 1767. Siamese prisoners were herded forcibly to Burma in large numbers by Ne Myo Thihapate and Maha Nawrahta with the support of a Siamese spy named Phraya Phonlathep (Thai: พระยาพลเทพ).The Testimonies of the inhabitants of Ayutthaya said :-
There was a principal provincial city, Phitsanulok, located at the northern of the kingdom, to which Ayutthaya officials had fled before a siege of Burmese troops in the Ayutthaya Kingdom's captital
The Royal Chronicle of Myanmar composed in 1913 A.D. by Prince Narathip Praphanphong said :-
Chaophraya Phitsanulok (Rueang)’s gathering (Thai: ชุมนุมเจ้าพระยาพิษณุโลก (เรือง)) was a traditional Ayutthayan courtiers of Siam Kingdom, being gathered purposefully to fight against Burmese troops controlled by King Rueang of Phitsanulok. The gathering's territory was extended from north to south totaling 7 cities under his control including:
thumb|250px|The separate factions of Siam after the second fall of Ayutthaya Kingdom in 1767.
I.Sawangburi (Prince Phra Fang)
II. Phitsanulok (Rueang Rochanakul)
III. Thonburi (Phraya Taksin)
IV. Phimai (Prince Thepphiphit)
V. Nakohn Si Thammarat (Chaophraya Nakhon (Nu))
Thai historians claimed that Chaophraya Phitsanulok (Rueang)’s gathering was the strongest and biggest gathering in the northern city, not only because the city was fortified by fourteen forts built by French engineers, ton of armaments and Ayutthaya courtiers, but also because the governor of Phitsanulok was skilled in battle and trusted as commander-in-chief by King Ekkathat and the Royal descendants of Ban Phlu Luang Dynasty.
The Royal Chronicle of History Regarding Our Wars with the Burmese during Krung Si Ayutthaya composed by Prince Damrong Rajanubhab said :-
After the gathering was established, Chao Phra Fang, a.k.a. Priest King or Sangharaja of Fang,[44] personal name; Ruan (Thai: เจ้าพระฝาง (เรือน)), became a notorious sensuality and violence chief Buddhist monk,[57] 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. All of the Priest King's officials and troops wore yellow robes.[57]
In 1768. From mid-year onward, Chao Phra Fang initiated his marches to besiege Pitsanulok. King Rueang then arrayed his troops and engaged with Chao Phra Fang troops. The engagement occurred three times lasting up to six months.
The Royal Chronicle of Letters by the King's Own Hand, composed by Prince Damrong Rajanubhab said :-
The Sangitiyavansa composed by Somdej Phra Wannaratna of Wat Phrachetupon in 1789, said :-
After King Taksin successfully suppressed Burmese troops at Pho-samton camp, located in Ayutthaya. In October 1768, King Taksin marched northward by land and river with troops forces with 15,000 men to Phitsanulok in order to suppress King Rueang's gathering. Once King Rueang was informed the sign of foes, he arrayed Phisanulok troops by land and river downward to Koei Chai (Thai: เกยไชย) at Nakhon Sawan (upper Pho estuary (Thai: ปากน้ำโพ)) and appointed Luang Kosa, personal name; Yang, (Thai: หลวงโกษา (ยัง))), who was strong skilled in topography of the northern territory of Ayutthaya Kingdom, as commander.
thumb|250px|A sample of slender boat in Siam which being utilized by Phitsanulok troops cruised the river while attacking King Taksin's march at Koei Chai in 1768.
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. Meanwhile, it also flooded, so Phitsanulok troops’ gained an advantage over their foes.[58]
Upon the arrival of King Taksin's troops at Koei Chai, Phitsanulok troops immediately opened fire fearlessly and resoundingly on his troops. King Taksin suffered an injury to his left shin and retreated from Koei Chai back to Thonburi. Consequently, King Taksin was lost and failed to suppress King Rueang's gathering.[59] [17]
The Royal Chronicle of Letters by the King's Own Hand, composed by Prince Damrong Rajanubhab said :-
The Royal Chronicle of Thonburi Kingdom Version of Phan Channumat (Choem) said :-
Phraya Srisatchanalaibodi (Liang Siripalaka) said :-
Memoirs of Princess Narindaradevi (Thai: พระเจ้าไปยิกาเธอ กรมหลวงนรินทรเทวี) said :-
And The first primogenitor of Phraya Srisahadep named Thongpeng composed by K.S.R. Kulap said :-
In November, 1768. King Rueang was seriously ill and died soon in 7 days[17] at Chan Royal Palace[46] of an abscess in his neck[28] (another source said he died after 15 days.[13])) after overcome King Taksin's defeat. The actual cause of King Rueang's death can explain that; in 1765 onwards there was smallpox pandemic in Ayutthaya Kingdom and many Siameses and courtiers, carriers of Smallpox, were escaped to Phitsanulok. The event was recorded in Royal Brahman's Almanac :-
His younger brother, Phraya Chaiyabun (Chan) (Thai: พระยาไชยบูรณ์) or Phra Indara-akon (Thai: พระอินทรอากร) became governor of Phitsanulok. Phitsanulok city was weakened as a result of the new ruler's lack of military capability, in contrast to the former governor.
The Sangitiyavansa composed by Somdej Phra Wannaratna of Wat Phrachetupon in 1789, said :-
A verse drama of the Ramayana composed by King Taksin said :-
The Royal Chronicle of Letters by the King's Own Hand, composed by Prince Damrong Rajanubhab said :-
After Sawangburi's ruler, Chao Phra Fang (Thai: เจ้าพระฝาง (เรือน)) acknowledged King Reang's death, he quickly deployed his troops to retake Phitsanulok. Phitsanulok was sieged with King Priest troops for 3 months by Priest King, and the townspeople were starving.
The Royal Chronicle of Siam from the manuscript of British Museum, London. said :-
And The first primogenitor of Phraya Srisahadep named Thongpeng composed by K.S.R. Kulap said :-
In December 1768. There was espionage in Phitsanulok to lead Priest King's troops to invade the city. The new governor of Phitsanulok was captured and executed by Chao Phra Fang in February, 1769. The corpse of the new governor; Phraya Chaiyabun (Chan), was exposed over the gate of Phitsanulok city.[57] Numbers of people in Phitsanulok were herded forcibly onto Sawangburi which is currently ruled by Chao Phra Fang, and many of them escaped to Thonburi, ruled by King Taksin, too. Phitsanulok's gathering was completely collapsed from that time on.Luang Kosa (yang) (Thai: หลวงโกษา (ยัง)) was a supporter of Chao Phra Fang side, and lately he gets appointed as commander in Phitsanulok.[60]
Chaophraya Phitsanulok's title during 1732–1767.
Rochanakul (Thai: โรจนกุล).[7] is Siamese surname no. 368 of the 6,432 Thai Surnames Record conferred by the King, bestowed upon Luang Phisonyutthakan (Puek) and Luang Likhitprecha (Plob) (His later title was Phraya Chamnan Aksorn (Plob) (Thai: พระยาชำนาญอักษร (ปลอบ))[61] as Permanent Secretary of The Office of His Majesty's Principal Private Secretary, Bureau of the Royal Household from A.D. 1923–1927.), by King Rama VI on 15 July 1913 and royally countersigned by The Prince Nares Varariddhi (Thai: กรมพระนเรศรวรฤทธิ์), Lord of the Privy Seal[62]
Chaophraya Phitsanulok (Rueang)'s corporeal presence and involved occurrences were mentioned in various contemporary works, viz.
Thai historical drama mentioned Orkya Phra Phitsanulok (Rueang) cast by Attachai Anantamek.
Thai historical drama mentioned after governor of Phitsanulok had marched Siamese troops and engaged Burmese at Sukhothai, Prince Chit seized Phitsanulok. The governor of Phitsanulok have to resort to suppress Prince Chit.
either Por Rueng (cast by Thanavat Vatthanaputi), Por Rueng's son; Boonrueang (not yet born) or Rueang (cast by Parama Imanotai) who live in Phisanulok during reign of King Thai Sa may related with the Governor of Phitsanulok city in reign of King Borommakot, the successor of King Thai Sa. The name Rueng and Boonrueang may possibly inspired with biography of Chaophraya Phitsanulok (Rueang).