Chaophraya Phitsanulok


Chaophraya Phitsanulok, personal name Rueang or Boonrueang, was governor of Phitsanulok with the noble title Chaophraya Surasi Bisanuvadhiraj from 1732 to 1767. He was governor from the reign of King Borommakot, until the fall of the Ayutthaya Kingdom during the reign of King Ekkathat.
In 1768, he declared himself King Rueang of Phitsanulok, claiming for Phitsanulok and part of Nakhon Sawan to be a new independent state. He was also known as Prince Rueang, the King of Siam. His descendants were given the Thai noble surname Rochanakul, a patronymic from Rueang's family, by King Rama VI.

Biography

Ancestry

Rueang was born in the Ayutthaya Kingdom. He descended from Chaophra Pichayasurindara, the grandson of King Phetracha, in Ban Phlu Luang dynasty, and later H.R.H. Prince of Krommamun Indarabhakdi conferred by King Thai Sa era. His wife was Lady Qingchiang, lady of Phitsanulok, a half-Siamese-Chinese woman of the Chen family, and a daughter of Phraya Rajsubhawadi, from a Chinese village in Ayutthaya. His younger brother was deputy governor of Phitsanulok, Phra Indara-akorn, or Phraya Chaiyabun, personal name Chan. His mother died after the second fall of the Ayutthaya Kingdom.

Early career

In his early life, Rueang was in charge of Siamese military affairs and also worked as a scribe in Krom Mahatthai of the Ayutthaya Kingdom during King Thai Sa's rule.
In his adolescence, he was mostly in military service at Phitsanulok, coordinating officially with Luang Pinit Akson . Later, he became the permanent secretary of Phitsanulok.
In adulthood, after the previous governor of Phitsanulok died, King Borommakot appointed Rueang as governor of Phitsanulok and granted him the title Chaophraya Surasi Bisanuvadhiraj.(. He was a regent of the northern region. 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.
In The Royal Sword, by the Ministry of Interior (Thailand), it was said that:

Death

In 1768, after the second fall of the Ayutthaya Kingdom interregnum, Chaophraya Phitsanulok proclaimed himself King Ruang, to be King of Siam.
He occupied the throne for only six months and died in November 1768 of a coughing fit. Various sources said he died of abscess, scrofula, or smallpox symptoms when he was forty-nine years old., while others said he was fifty-two years old at the time of death. His younger-brother, Phraya Chaiyabun, ruled Phitsanulok city afterward.

Burmese Invasion and the second fall of Ayutthaya Kingdom

Resistance

Background

Lan Na was in apparent rebellion against the Burmese royal court during 1761–1763, when it was state-independent and under the reign of Phraya Chantha and the support of the military of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. According to the allegation of the Burmese King's lèse-majesté, King Naungdawgyi, the King of Burma deployed troops of 50,000 men and appointed General Ne Myo Thihapate as commander-in-chief to criminalize Chiang Mai.

Chiang Mai defeated by Burmese troops

In January 1762, Phraya Chantha of Chiang Mai wrote a royal letter with a 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 for Siamese troops to fight against the Burmese troops.
King Ekkathat deployed Siamese troops of 5,000 men and appointed Chaophraya Phitsanulok as commander-in-chief. Once Phitsanulok's army arrived at Ban Rahaeng located in Tak city, approximately 280 km south of Chiang Mai,. However, Chiang Mai was already defeated by Burmese troops within 4–5 months, and Abyagamani 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 Alaungpaya died. To uphold Alaungpaya's wish, King Hsinbyushin assembled Burmese troops of 20,000 men to reinforce his troops in Chiang Mai. General Ne Myo Thihapate was appointed to control the troops and 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 :

A siege of Burmese troops in northern cities of Siam

The two large arrays of the Burmese expeditionary army marched to Ayutthaya Kingdom in 1765; the northern array of Burmese troops, as the main front, numbered over 20,000 men 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 Nawrahta
. King Ekkathat then appointed Chaophraya Phitsanulok, 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, located approximately 3 km northwest of the Ayutthaya Grand Palace, where the Mon pagoda in the temple was built by King Bayinnaung in 1569 as the monument of Burmese victory in the Burmese–Siamese War (1568–1569), also known as the first fall of Ayutthaya Kingdom.
After Ne Myo Thihapate had seized Kamphaeng Phet 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. Many of The Royal Chronicles of Siam stated that Chaophraya Phitsanulok triumphed over Ne Myo Thihapate's troops at Sukhothai, and Phitsanulok became a shelter for Ayutthaya courtiers and the Siamese Royal family of the Ban Phlu Luang Dynasty. This became known as Chaophraya Phitsanulok 's gathering in 1767–1769, the largest gathering in interim Thonburi.

A battle between Ne Myo Thihapate and Governor of Phitsanulok

During the encampment of Phitsanulok troops at Wat Phu Khao Thong, Chaophraya Phitsanulok requested royal permission to return to Phitsanilok to incinerate his mother's remains by informing King Ekkathat through Phraya Phonladep. The King granted him permission and he left his three subordinates, Luang Mahatthai, Luang Kosa and Luang Thepsena, in charge of his troops. Prince and historian 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.
Later, King Ekkathat appointed Chaophraya Phitsanulok 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 :
Burmese History side
In August 1765, Gen. Ne Myo Thihapate marched the Burmese troop of 40,000 men from Lampang to the south. His march was sporadically interrupted by Siamese troops. Consequently, Ne Myo Thihapate successfully seized all of the major northern cities and camped at Phitsanilok.
The Royal Chronicle of Myanmar, composed in 1913 A.D. by Prince Narathip Praphanphong said :
And Yodayar Naing Mawgun by Letwe Nawrahta, translated by Soe Thuzar Myint, said in Second Part, Stanza 11 that :
Siamese History side
On August 22, 1765, Gen. Ne Myo Thihapate marched 40,000 Burmese troops south from Lampang and successfully seized the northern cities; Pichai, Sawan Lok and Sukhothai. Phraya Sukhothai, governor of Sukhothai, intercepted Burmese troops, and Ne Myo Thihapate encamped at Sukhothai city. Chaophraya Phitsanulok and the chief advisor of the northern city arranged the reinforcements and marched immediately to Sukhothai.
The Siamese reinforcement expeditionary troops, commanded by the governor of Phitsanulok, engaged Ne Myo Thihapate's Burmese troops in November 1765.
In Yodaya Naing Mawgun by Letwe Nawrahta said :
And The Royal Chronicle of Myanmar, composed in 1913 by Prince Narathip Praphanphong, said :

Chaofa Chit's Rebellion in Phitsanulok

During the battle of Burmese and Siamese troops at Sukhothai, 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 was imprisoned in Ayutthaya Grand Place. Luang Kosa 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 Royal Chronicle of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya said :
In December 1765, Chaophraya Phitsanulok 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 still went on.
King Ekkathat acknowledged Prince Chit's jailbreak and appointed officials to follow them, but they failed to catch them.
On his arrival to Phitsanulok, where there were only a few noblemen and the governor's wife, Lady Qingchaing, Prince Chit seized Phitsanulok city and proclaimed himself as governor of Phitsanulok, forfeited and committed arson against Chaophraya Phitsanulok ’s house.
Lady Qingchaing and her slaves fled to Sukhuthai by floating upward along the Nan River, so that she could inform her spouse, Chaophraya Phitsanulok, that Phitsanulok had been seized. Chaophraya Phitsanulok then deployed troops at the border of Phitsanulok and engaged with the rebel's troops. Prince Chit's troops were dispersed and later captured by Chaophraya Phitsanulok's troops. All prisoners were unable to be restrained to Ayutthaya Royal Palace for punishment, so 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. His daughter, H.S.H. Chim, 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.

Escape of Siamese Royal family and courtiers to Phitsanulok

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 away from the capital of Ayutthaya and fled to Phitsanulok.
In 1767, Chaofa Chit, also known as H.R.H. Prince Chit, The Prince of Krommakhun Surindarasongkram and his allies imprisoned at Ayutthaya Royal Palace, escaped by bribing officials with supportive nobleman Luang Kosa, the Governor of Phitsanulok's adjutant, then fled immediately to Phitsanulok with H.S.H. Chim, Chaofa Chit's daughter. Consequently, he was executed by order of the Governor of Phitsanulok.
One of the oldest close friends of Chaophraya Phitsanulok was named Thongdi or Ocphra Akson Sunthonsat, and was the father of King Rama I, and who, being the grand primogenitor of the Chakri dynasty, fled to Phitsanulok with his wife, Bunma, his son, La and his aides, due to the Governor of Phitsanulok was his intimately familiar friend in his early life since he was in the service of Krom Mahatthai.
Thao Songkandan, the royal maid, was conferred as the royal mother during the reign of King Taksin and was sheltered with her family at Phitsanulok.
According to the testimonials of Chen mo, Wen Shao and Lin Zhengchun, Zhao wang ji is Krommamun Thepphiphit or Prince Khag, son of King Borommakot, the most formidable opponent of King Taksin, also fled to Phitsanulok under protection of Fu shi lu wang before he captured Nakhon Ratchasima and proclaimed 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 is around fifty years old. He is the son of the Siamese old King and a woman of the Baitou race.

After the second fall of Ayutthaya, there were five powerful aspirants—independent for the position consequently—where the governor of Phitsanulok controlled lower northern Siam, Phitsanulok, and a portion of Nakhon Sawan. Because of these large numbers of courtiers, perhaps they may have encouraged him in his royal proclamation so that he would exalt himself to rule Phitsanulok as King of Siam.

Coronation as King of Siam

In 1768, in Thonburi interim, an insurrection had been occurring after the second fall of Ayutthaya, and there was no longer a central government. During the mid-year, Chaophraya Phitsanulok royally proclaimed himself as King Ruang, King of Siam on his dynastic connection, and also raised Phitsanulok city and a portion of Nakhon Sawan, totaling 7 counties, as the new capital of Ayutthaya Kingdom. The city was renamed Krung Phra Phitsanulok Rajthani Sri Ayudhya Mahanakon. He also conferred on his family members and many Ayudhyan courtiers to be in his service including his closest friend; Ocphra Akson Sunthonsat, the father of King Rama I, with the given noble title Chaophraya Chakri Sri Onkarak, with sakdina 10000 and it is likely that, as regent or superintendent of the supreme governor's chief adviser.
In the Letter of King Mongkut to Sir John Bowring said :
Three aides of Chaophraya Chakri, Thong Khwan, Yim and Yam, son of Luang Raksena, also received titles. Thong Khwan was Nai Chamnan, as staff officer, and both Yim and Yam were clerks in military affairs.
The coronation of Chao Phitsanulok was done 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 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, known as the Priest King who started a war to seize Phitsanulok.

Chan Royal Palace restoration

file:Reconstruction model of Chan Royal Palace based on Santi Leksukhum's work 04.jpg|thumb|300px|A reconstructed model of Chan Royal Palace, by Santi Leksukhum
In 2006, according to a survey result of Chan Royal Palace by an expedition of Lek-Prapai Viriyahpant Foundation, some traces were found regarding the restoration and reconstruction of buildings in the palace area. The traces may be associated with Chaophraya Phitsanulok's gathering in 1768. The Foundation stated in the results that :

King Ruang's letter to China

According to Qing Dynasty Archives, King Ruang of Phitsanulok wrote a royal letter in 1767, sealed with his Chinese name; Fu Shi Lu or Fu Shi Lu Wang, meaning of King Phitsanulok, and he sent it to the Chinese government by barque preceding his coronation in 1768. The letter was obtained by Viceroy of Liangguang Li Shiyao and later presented to Qianlong Emperor, the emperor of the Qing dynasty on 17 July 1768, to report the situation in Siam. The letter was intended to ask the Chinese emperor for his approval of 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 of the Ban Phlu Luang Dynasty. According to Fu Shi Lu's letter, there are still Fu Shi Lu, Lukun, and Gao Lie in Siam who have not surrendered, 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 the Ban Phlu Luang Dynasty.
Viceroy Li Shiyao secretly investigated some political asylums with the governor of Ha Tian in order to find the princes of Siam that still lived and to report the situation of Ha Tian to the Chinese emperor. Qianlong Emperor discovered two living princes: Prince Chui and Prince Sisang, descendants of the Siam Dynasty, who had fled to Ha Tien and sheltered themselves there after the burning of Ayutthaya. While Prince Chui sheltered himself at Ha Tien, Qianlong Emperor recognized his status as legitimate King of Siam. Later, Prince Chui gathered troops in Ha Tien to seize King Taksin.
Prince Sisang died at Ha Tien before being captured and Prince Chui was captured and killed by King Taksin in Siam during the interim Siamese–Vietnamese War (1771–1773).
He thus left the chieu khoa Lien to hold Ha Tien and returned to Siam by dap with his main force, the captive Mac family and Chieu Chuy . The last-named was killed in Siam.

There is no 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 the remaining royal descendants. However, King Ruang of Phitsanulok's letter proved that he had been enthroned as King of Siam for at least six months.

Chaophraya Phitsanulok's gathering

Background

After dominating Ayutthaya Kingdom for 417 years, the kingdom was destroyed on April 7, 1767. Siamese prisoners were herded to Burma in large numbers by Ne Myo Thihapate and Maha Nawrahta with the support of a Siamese spy named Phraya Phonlathep.
The Testimonies of the inhabitants of Ayutthaya said :
Phitsanulok was located at the northern end of the kingdom and Ayutthaya officials fled there before a siege of Burmese troops in the Ayutthaya Kingdom's capital.
The Royal Chronicle of Myanmar composed in 1913 by Prince Narathip Praphanphong said :
Chaophraya Phitsanulok ’s gathering was a traditional Ayutthayan gathering of courtiers of Siam Kingdom, joined with the purpose of fighting against Burmese troops controlled by King Rueang of Phitsanulok. The gathering's territory was extended from north to south totaling seven cities under his control including:
; List of cities under controlled by King Rueang : Northern city of Ayutthaya Kingdom
  1. Phitsanulok
  2. Sukhothai
  3. Si Satchanalai, Sawan Lok and Chaliang
  4. Kamphaeng Phet and Nakhon Chum
  5. Phitchit and Pak Yom
  6. Phra Bang
  7. Tung Yang
file:1767 Separate Factions of Siam.png|thumb|250px|The separate factions of Siam after the second fall of Ayutthaya Kingdom in 1767.
I. Sawangburi
II. Phitsanulok
III. Thonburi
IV. Phimai
V. Nakohn Si Thammarat
Thai historians claimed that Chaophraya Phitsanulok ’s gathering was the strongest and biggest gathering in the northern city. This was because the city was fortified by fourteen forts built by French engineers, armaments and Ayutthaya courtiers, and 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 :

Phitsanulok attacked by Priest King

After the gathering was established, Chao Phra Fang, known as Priest King, Sangharaja of Fang, or personal name, Ruan, became a notorious Buddhist monk, who was renowned for his supernatural powers and ruled Sawangburi or Sawangkhaburi city supported by many other monks.
In 1768, from mid-year onward, Chao Phra Fang initiated his marches to besiege Phitsanulok. King Rueang then deployed his troops and engaged with Chao Phra Fang's 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 :

Incident of King Taksin to suppress Phitsanulok

After King Taksin successfully suppressed Burmese troops at Pho-samton camp, he marched northward by land and river with forces of 15,000 men to Phitsanulok in order to suppress King Rueang's gathering. Once King Rueang was informed of the sign of foes, he deployed Phisanulok troops by land and river downward to Koei Chai at Nakhon Sawan ) and appointed Luang Kosa, personal name Yang as commander.
[file:เรือยาว เจ้าแม่พลายสมุทร.jpg|thumb|250px|A sample of slender boat in Siam which was utilized by Phitsanulok troops as they cruised the river while attacking King Taksin's march at Koei Chai in 1768.]
The battle tactics of Phitsanulok recorded were to utilize Siamese slender boat as concealmente, to ensconce behind riverside hills and stealthily attack their foes. Meanwhile, it also flooded, so Phitsanulok troops’ gained an advantage over their foes.
Upon the arrival of King Taksin's troops at Koei Chai, Phitsanulok's troops opened fire 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.
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 said :
Phraya Srisatchanalaibodi said :
Memoirs of Princess Narindaradevi said :
And The first primogenitor of Phraya Srisahadep named Thongpeng composed by K.S.R. Kulap said :

Death and collapse of the regime

In November, 1768. King Rueang was seriously ill and died seven days after falling ill at Chan Royal Palace of an abscess in his neck after King Taksin's defeat. The actual cause of King Rueang's death can be explained by that 1765 onwards, there was a smallpox pandemic in Ayutthaya Kingdom. Many Siameses and courtiers, carriers of smallpox, escaped to Phitsanulok. The event was recorded in Royal Brahman's Almanac :
His younger brother, Phraya Chaiyabun or Phra Indara-akon 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, acknowledged King Reang's death, he quickly deployed his troops to retake Phitsanulok. Phitsanulok was sieged with King Priest troops for three 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, was exposed over the gate of Phitsanulok city. Numbers of people in Phitsanulok were taken Sawangburi and many of them escaped to Thonburi. Phitsanulok's gathering collapsed then.
Luang Kosa was a supporter of Chao Phra Fang side, and lately he gets appointed as commander in Phitsanulok.

Honors

Title

Titles and ranks appointed by King of Siam

Chaophraya Phitsanulok's titles during 1732–1767:Rueang official and scribe at Krom Mahatthai during the reign of King Thai Sa.
  • Luang Maha Ammatayadibodi or Luang Senamataya Northern interior official at Krom Mahatthai in Phitsanulok, sakdina 1,600 during the reign of King Borommakot.
  • Phra Rajcharittanonbahonbakdi Inspector as acting permanent secretary official at Phitsanulok, sakdina 3,000 during the reign of King Borommakot.
  • Phraya Phitsanulok Governor of Phitsanulok, sakdina 10,000 during the reign of King Borommakot.
  • Chaophraya Phitsanulok a.k.a. Chaophraya Surasi, Governor of Phitsanulok, sakdina 10,000 during the reign of King Borommakot to King Ekkathat.

Enthronement

  • Phrachao Phitsanulok or Chao Phitsanulok King Rueang of Phitsanulok as state-independent, in Thonburi interim.

Namesakes

Primogenitor of noble surname

Rochanakul. is Siamese surname no. 368 of the 6,432 Thai Surnames Record conferred by the King, bestowed upon Luang Phisonyutthakan and Luang Likhitprecha. The latter's title was Phraya Chamnan Aksorn as Permanent Secretary of The Office of His Majesty's Principal Private Secretary, Bureau of the Royal Household from 1923 to 1927. It was bestowed by King Rama VI on 15 July 1913 and royally countersigned by The Prince Nares Varariddhi, Lord of the Privy Seal.
The Thai surnames record at the King Rama VI Memorial Hall, National Library of Thailand, stated that Chaophraya Phitsanulok was the grand primogenitor of the surname Rochanakul.

In popular culture

Chaophraya Phitsanulok 's presence and occurrences have been mentioned in various contemporary works.

Thai literature

  • The Sangitiyavansa or the Chronicle of Buddhist Councils: The first Pali work belongs to The Chronicle of Pali literature, composed by Somdej Phra Wannaratna of Wat Phrachetupon, also known as Phra Phimonlatham, in 1789, during the early Rattanakosin Kingdom era. The Pali canonical text composition mentioned Chaophraya Phitsanulok, who had proclaimed himself as King of Siam.

International literature

  • Yodaya Naing Mawgun by Letwe Nawrahta: A contemporary Myanmar record of the second fall of Ayutthaya Kingdom translated by Soe Thuzar Myint. The record mentioned Phitsanulok troops as a courageous foe, of which Chaophraya Phitsanulok was commander-in-chief. The record said "Siamese reinforcements sent from Phitsanulok and other towns were routed. The poet portrays the Siamese as a courageous foe, a worthy adversary of the Myanmar whose commanders had to resort to innovative tactics."

Verse

  • Sam Krung: A Thai poem composed by Prince Bidyalongkorn in 1942. The story of Chao Phitsanulok in which Prince Bidyalongkorn mentioned, criticized the incidents and attacks on the current leadership in his descriptions.

Novel and Fiction

  • Rattanakosin: The Birth of Bangkok: A Thai historical novel authored by Paul Adirex, mentions an incident of Chaophraya Phisanulok's Force arrangement to intercept the King Taksin's force-five thousand armies to conquer the Chaophraya Phitsanulok ’s gathering in Nakhon Sawan, and the death of Chaophraya Phisanulok after his royal proclamation.
  • Yot Sawettachat: Thai historical novel, written by Luang Wichitwathakan, mentions an engagement of governor of Phitsanuloks's reinforcement with Burmese troops, and Phitsanulok's seizing by Prince Chit's rebellion.
  • Chiwit khong prathet: Thai historical novel, authored by Wissanu Krea-ngam and based upon the second fall of Ayutthaya Kingdom and King Taksin's reunification of Siam. The novel mentions the Royal proclamation of Chaophraya Phitsanulok to exalt himself as King of Siam and how Thongdi, father of King Rama I, got appointed as regent of Phitsanulok.

Film and television

  • Fa Mai: Thai historical drama mentioned Orkya Phra Phitsanulok, portrayed by Attachai Anantamek.
  • Sai Lohit: 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 had to resort to suppress Prince Chit.
  • Love Destiny 2 (TV series): either Por Rueng, Por Rueng's son; Boonrueang or Rueang who lived in Phisanulok during reign of King Thai Sa may be related to the Governor of Phitsanulok in reign of King Borommakot, the successor of King Thai Sa. The name Rueng and Boonrueang may possibly inspired by the biography of Chaophraya Phitsanulok.