View source for Burmese–Siamese War (1568–1569)

{{Short description|Military conflict fought between the Kingdom of Ayutthaya (Siam) and the Kingdom of Burma}}
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict          = War of the first fall of Ayutthaya
| image             = Seal_Suphanburi.png
| image_size        = 230px
| caption           = War elephants depicted from a later Siam–Burma war.
| date              = 1568–1569
| place             = [[Ayutthaya Kingdom|Ayutthaya]], [[Phitsanulok]], [[Lan Xang]], and [[Kamphaeng Phet]]
| result            = Burmese victory
| combatant1        = [[File:Seal of Ayutthaya (King Narai) goldStamp bgred.png|20px]] [[Ayutthaya Kingdom]] (Siam) <br> [[Lan Xang Kingdom]]
| commander1        = [[File:Seal of Ayutthaya (King Narai) goldStamp bgred.png|20px]] [[Maha Chakkraphat]]{{KIA}} <br> [[File:Seal of Ayutthaya (King Narai) goldStamp bgred.png|20px]] [[Mahinthrathirat]]{{POW}}<br> [[Setthathirath]]
| combatant2        = [[File:Taungoo Imperial Flag.jpg|20px]] [[Toungoo dynasty]] <br>
* [[Sukhothai Kingdom]]
* [[Lan Na Kingdom]]
| commander2        = [[File:Taungoo Imperial Flag.jpg|20px]] [[Bayinnaung]] <br>[[Mahathammarachathirat (king of Ayutthaya)|Mahathammarachathirat]]<br>[[File:Taungoo Imperial Flag.jpg|20px]] [[Thado Minsaw of Ava|Thado Minsaw]]<br>[[File:Taungoo Imperial Flag.jpg|20px]] [[Binnya Dala (minister-general)|Binnya Dala]]
| units1            = [[File:Seal of Ayutthaya (King Narai) goldStamp bgred.png|20px]] [[Royal Siamese armed forces (1238-1852)|Royal Siamese Army]]<br>[[File:Seal of Ayutthaya (King Narai) goldStamp bgred.png|20px]] [[Royal Siamese Navy]]<br>[[Lan Xang]] Army <br>[[Lucoes|Luzon Mercenaries]]<ref>Pires, Tomé (1944). Armando Cortesao (translator) (ed.). A suma oriental de Tomé Pires e o livro de Francisco Rodriguez: Leitura e notas de Armando Cortesão [1512 - 1515] (in Portuguese). Cambridge: Hakluyt Society.</ref>{{flagicon|Portugal|1495}}  [[Portuguese people|Portuguese]] [[mercenaries]]
| units2            = [[File:Taungoo Imperial Flag.jpg|20px]] [[Royal Burmese Armed Forces|Royal Burmese Army]]<br> [[File:Taungoo Imperial Flag.jpg|20px]] [[Royal Siamese armed forces (1238-1852)|Royal Sukhothai Army]]<br>[[File:Seal of Lanna Kingdom.png|20px]] [[Royal Siamese armed forces (1238-1852)|Royal Lanna Army]]<br>{{flagicon|Portugal|1495}}  [[Portuguese people|Portuguese]] [[mercenaries]]
| strength1         = Unknown
| strength2         = '''Burmese sources: Bayinnaung's five armies Invasion force:'''<br/>
54,600 men, 5,300 horses, and 530 elephants {{sfn|Hmannan|2003|pp=402–403}}<br/>
'''Combined with Phitsanulok army:'''<br/>
70,000+{{sfn|Harvey|1925|p=334}}|
| casualties1 = 106,000  Siam Including Naresuan
were taken hostage to toungoo
| casualties2       = unknown but heavy
}}
{{Campaignbox Burmese–Siamese Wars}}
The '''Burmese–Siamese War (1568–1569)''' also known as the '''War of the first fall''' (สงครามคราวเสียกรุงครั้งที่หนึ่ง) was a military conflict fought between the [[Ayutthaya Kingdom|Kingdom of Ayutthaya]] (Siam) and the [[Toungoo dynasty|Kingdom of Burma]]. The war began in 1568 when Ayutthaya unsuccessfully attacked [[Phitsanulok]], a Burmese vassal state. The event was followed by a Burmese intervention which resulted in the 2 August 1569 defeat of Ayutthaya, which became a Burmese vassal state. Burma then moved towards [[Lan Xang]], occupying the country for a short period of time until retreating in 1570.
==Background==
In 1485, [[Mingyi Nyo]] usurped the throne of the Burmese kingdom of [[Taungoo|Toungoo]] after murdering his uncle. In the following years, Mingyi Nyo managed to retain the kingdom's independence while also leading several successful campaigns against [[Mon people|Mon]] states. Toungoo also benefited from the collapse of the once-dominant [[Kingdom of Ava|Ava Kingdom]], receiving numerous refugees from neighboring kingdoms that were unable to maintain the security of their citizens. In 1530, [[Tabinshwehti]] was crowned king of Toungoo following the death of his father. Tabinshwehti continued to expand his domain, [[Toungoo–Hanthawaddy War (1534–41)|overtaking Hanthawaddy]] and cementing Toungoo's status as an empire.<ref name=Siam>{{cite web |url=http://www.siamese-heritage.org/jsspdf/2001/JSS_093_0c_PamareeSurakiat_ThaiBurmeseWarfareDuring16thCentu.pdf|title=Thai-Burmese Warfare During the Sixteenth Century and the Rise of the Toungoo Empire |author=Pamaree Surakiat  |date=2005 | publisher= The Siam Society  |access-date=12 June 2015}}</ref>
Internal struggles over the control of the [[Ayutthaya Kingdom|Ayutthayan]] (Siam) throne between the [[List of Thai Monarchs#2nd Suphannaphum Dynasty .281409–1569.29|Suphannaphum Dynasty]] and the [[List of Thai Monarchs#2nd Uthong Dynasty .281388–1409.29|Uthong Dynasty]] culminated on 1546, after the death of King [[Chairacha]]. Chairacha's successor [[Yot Fa]] was killed in 1548, with conspirator [[Khun Chinnarat]] taking the throne. 42 days later Chinnarat was assassinated by nobles loyal to the Suphannaphum Dynasty, who installed Chairacha's relative as King [[Maha Chakkraphat]]. Tabinshwehti exploited the internal turmoil in Ayutthaya by instigating the first conflict between the two countries. The [[Burmese–Siamese War (1547–49)]] resulted in the Burmese capture of the Upper Tenasserim coast down to [[Tavoy]], while Ayutthaya managed to protect the rest of its territory.{{sfn|Wood|1924|pp=108–114}}{{sfn|Rajanubhab|2001|pp=13–15}}{{sfn|Sein Lwin Lay|2006|p=296}}
A second [[Burmese–Siamese War (1563–64)|Burmese–Siamese war]] erupted in 1563. Maha Chakkraphat's refusal to grant the Burmese king [[Bayinnaung]] with two [[White elephant (animal)|white elephants]] served as the [[casus belli]] of the conflict. The Burmese first took [[Phitsanulok]], [[Sawankhalok]], [[Kamphaeng Phet]], and [[Sukhothai (city)|Sukhothai]] thus turning them into [[tributary state]]s, denying Ayutthaya valuable allies. Ayutthaya's [[Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya (city)|capital]] was then sacked, while Maha Chakkraphat was forced to become a priest in [[Bago, Myanmar|Bago, Burma]]. However, he was soon allowed to return home on a pilgrimage during which he abandoned priesthood and returned to power.{{sfn|Jumsai|1976|pp=154–158}}{{sfn|Rajanubhab|2001|p=67}}{{sfn|Rajanubhab|2001|p=36}}<ref name=Siam/>
==Conflict==
=== Prelude ===
In 1568, Ayutthaya king [[Maha Chakkraphat]] requested King [[Setthathirath]] of [[Lan Xang]] to attack Phitsanulok, ploying to arrest its King [[Mahathammarachathirat (king of Ayutthaya)|Mahathammarachathirat]]. When Mahathammarachathirat asked Ayutthaya for assistance Maha Chakkraphat dispatched general Phya Siharat–Dejo, tasking him with detaining Mahathammarachathirat. Siharat–Dejo instead remained in Phitsanulok and disclosed Maha Chakkraphat's true intentions, pushing Burma into an armed intervention.
=== Siege of Phitsanulok ===
A Burmese force broke through the Lao lines and joined the defenders of Phitsanulok which was besieged at the time. In the meantime, an Ayutthayan army advanced on Phitsanulok under the guise of reinforcements. Upon their arrival the Ayutthayans were asked to stay outside the city, on the same night the Phitsanulokans launched flaming rafts on the Ayutthayan fleet, destroying it. The losses prompted both the Lao and Ayutthayans to break the siege and retreat, the Lao troops later ambushed and annihilated a Burmese force that attempted to chase them.{{sfn|Jumsai|1976|pp=160–161}}{{sfn|Jumsai|1976|p=164}}
During the course of his retreat, Maha Chakkraphat unsuccessfully attacked Kamphaeng Phet. His plans changed however when he learned that Mahathammarachathirat was on an official visit to Burma,  causing him to return to Phitsanulok. The Ayutthayans then proceeded to kidnap all of Mahathammarachathirat's family but his son Prince [[Naresuan]] who was accompanying his father. The kidnapping was to dissuade Phitsanulok from launching counter-attacks on Ayutthaya, nonetheless this act led the Burmese to initiate a joint invasion of Ayutthaya with the help of their Thai puppet states.{{sfn|Jumsai|1976|pp=165–166}}
Having gained the support of northern Thai states, [[Bayinnaung]] amassed five armies that consisted of 54,600 men, 5,300 horses, and 530 elephants according to Burmese sources.{{sfn|Hmannan|2003|pp=402–403}} Thai sources mention an army consisting of 546,000 infantrymen and 53,000 in cavalry, however, that was likely an exaggeration. The Burmese marched from the north until encountering a Lao army at the Pa Sak Valley near [[Phetchabun Province|Phetchabun]]. The Lan Xang forces prevailed at which point one of the commanding generals from [[Nakhon Phanom]] broke south toward Ayutthaya. The Burmese rallied and were able to destroy the divided forces, and King Setthathirath had to retreat toward [[Vientiane]].{{sfn|Jumsai|1976|pp=166–171}}
==Siege of Ayutthaya and Vientiane==
=== Siege of Ayutthaya ===
The Burmese then laid siege to [[Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya (city)|Ayutthaya]] city. After heavy cannon fire put a stop to Burmese attempts at digging up to the walls, the invaders began building a bridge at Koh Keo in order to access the walls from a new direction. Maha Chakkraphat died during the course of the siege, therefore his son [[Mahinthrathirat]] ascended the throne. Frequent Ayutthaya sorties once again prevented the Burmese from finishing the construction. Bayinnaung then sent an Ayutthayan noble he held captive under the guise of a deserter. Not only was the spy allowed into the city but he was also put into a position of power. On the night of 7 August 1569, the spy opened the gates of the city, bringing its downfall. The Burmese army sacked the city. Mahinthrathirat along with his family and the nobility were captured and taken to Pegu. Mahinthrathirat died on the way in the same year.<ref name=Damrong>Rajanubhab, D., 2001, Our Wars With the Burmese, Bangkok: White Lotus Co. Ltd., {{ISBN|9747534584}}</ref>{{rp|63}} Ayutthaya became a Burmese vassal state, with Mahathammarachathirat appointed king.{{sfn|Jumsai|1976|pp=166–171}}<ref name=Siam/>{{sfn|Simms| 1999|p=79–81}}
=== Burmese invasion of Lan Xang ===
The Burmese took several weeks to regroup and rest having taken Ayutthaya, which allowed Lan Xang to rally their forces and plan for prolonged [[guerrilla warfare]]. The Burmese arrived in [[Vientiane]] and were able to take the lightly defended city. Setthathirath began a guerrilla campaign from his base near [[Nam Ngum]], northeast of Vientiane. In 1570, after having no success against the Laotian guerrilla forces, Bayinnaung retreated and was chased by the forces of Setthathirath. The Laotians were able to capture 30,000 troops, 100 elephants, and 2,300 pieces of ivory from the Burmese.{{sfn|Simms| 1999|p=79–81}}
==Notes==
{{Reflist|2}}
==References==
* {{cite book | last=Harvey | first= G. E.| title=History of Burma: From the Earliest Times to 10 March 1824 | publisher=Frank Cass & Co. Ltd | year = 1925| location = London}}
* {{cite book | author=Royal Historical Commission of Burma | author-link=Royal Historical Commission of Burma | title=Hmannan Yazawin | volume=2 | year=1832 | location=Yangon | language=my | edition=2003 | publisher=Ministry of Information, Myanmar |ref={{harvid|Hmannan|2003}}}}
*{{cite book|title=Popular History of Thailand|location=Bangkok,Thailand|publisher=Claremint|year=1976|asin=B002DXA1MO|last=Jumsai|first=Manich|chapter=King Tilokarat (1441–1485)}}
*{{cite book|title=Our Wars With the Burmese|location=Bangkok,Thailand|publisher=White Lotus|year=2001|isbn=9747534584|last=Rajanubhab|first=Damrong}}
* {{cite book| last = Wood| first = William A. R.| title = History of Siam| publisher=Chalermit Press | year = 1924| location = Thailand| isbn =1-931541-10-8 }}
* {{cite book | last=Sein Lwin Lay | first=Kahtika U | title=Mintaya Shwe Hti and Bayinnaung: Ketumadi Taungoo Yazawin | language=my | location=Yangon | publisher=Yan Aung Sarpay | orig-year=1968 | year=2006 |edition=2nd printing}}
*{{cite book|last=Simms|first=Peter and Sanda|title=The Kingdoms of Laos: Six Hundred Years of History|year=1999|publisher=Curzon Press|isbn=0-7007-1531-2}}
[[Category:Military history of Laos]]
[[Category:Wars involving Laos]]
[[Category:Burmese–Siamese wars]]
[[Category:Wars involving the Ayutthaya Kingdom]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 1568]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 1569]]
[[Category:1568 in Asia]]
[[Category:1569 in Asia]]
[[Category:First Toungoo Empire]]