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Maha Thiha Thura's invasion: the siege of Phitsanulok

In October 1775 Maha Thiha Thura, Burma's senior general, known in Thai as Azaewunky, marched in by way of Mae Sot and Tak and went straight to besiege Phitsanulok, which Chaophraya Chakri and Chaophraya Surasi were holding. King Taksin brought the royal army up to Pak Phing. It was the biggest war of the Thonburi period. Phitsanulok was besieged for months, until the two commanders had to fight their way out, and the Burmese withdrew when King Hsinbyushin died.

Phitsanulok ≈Martaban ≈Mae Sot ≈Tak ≈Sukhothai ≈AyutthayaSaraburiNakhon SawanSuphan BuriAng ThongKamphaeng PhetMyanmarThailand12345
  • 1Stops, numbered as in the list below
  • 2Clash with the Burmese
  • 1–3Several stops close together: tap to zoom in
  • ≈ approximate position

Press + to zoom in, then drag to move the map; on a phone you can pinch. Tap a number to read about that stop.

The ≈ sign marks an approximate location. Borders on the map are modern and shown for orientation only. Campaign routes are approximate lines drawn from the chronicles and modern studies, not the exact path taken. Dashed lines are enemy armies.

Phitsanulok besieged

After losing Chiang Mai and being defeated at Bang Kaeo, the Burmese court sent Maha Thiha Thura (Azaewunky) with a large army. The Burmese passed through Mae Sot, Tak and Sukhothai and went straight to besiege Phitsanulok. Chaophraya Chakri and Chaophraya Surasi defended the town from inside, while the Burmese built camps round it and cut off its supplies.

King Taksin brought the royal army up to Pak Phing, south of Phitsanulok, to attack the besiegers and open a way for supplies, but could not break the ring. When food ran out in the town, Chaophraya Chakri and Chaophraya Surasi fought their way out through the siege lines. Phitsanulok was burned by the Burmese.

The Burmese withdraw

In mid-1776 King Hsinbyushin died. King Singu came to the throne and recalled the army, so Maha Thiha Thura withdrew. The troops left behind were hunted down by the Thonburi army. The war did great damage to the northern towns, but it was also the last major Burmese invasion of the Thonburi period.

The route in 5 stops

  1. 1

    Martaban

    ≈ approximate position16.530, 97.620

    Directions ↗

  2. 2

    Mae Sot

    Tak≈ approximate position16.710, 98.570

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  3. 3

    Tak

    Tak≈ approximate position16.880, 99.130

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  4. 4

    Sukhothai

    Sukhothai≈ approximate position17.010, 99.820

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  5. 5

    Phitsanulok

    Phitsanulok≈ approximate position16.820, 100.260

    Clash with the Burmese army
    Battle
    The siege of Phitsanulok
    Against
    The Burmese army of Maha Thiha Thura (Azaewunky)
    How
    The Burmese besieged Phitsanulok, which Chaophraya Chakri and Chaophraya Surasi were holding. King Taksin brought the royal army up to Pak Phing. The siege went on for months, until the two commanders had to fight their way out.
    Outcome
    Phitsanulok was besieged for months, until its defenders had to fight their way out, and was burned. The Burmese withdrew when King Hsinbyushin died.
    Note
    Approximate position.

    Where to eat nearby

    Directions ↗

Travel guides for the provinces on this route

Things to do and where to eat in each province, from songkran.com, our sister travel site

Where historians still disagree

  • The story that Maha Thiha Thura asked to meet Chaophraya Chakri and foretold that he would become king comes from chronicles revised in the Rattanakosin period. Some historians think it should be read with caution.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Azaewunky?

Burma's senior general, Maha Thiha Thura, who led the army that besieged Phitsanulok in 1775–1776. Azaewunky is the name Thai sources use for him.

Sources
  1. Burmese–Siamese War (1775–1776) - Wikipedia
  2. Fighting the Burmese at "Pak Phing", a battlefield of Maha Thiha Thura's invasion – Silpa Wattanatham (in Thai)

Last updated 13 November 2026