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The defeat of Chao Phra Fang: the kingdom reunited

Chao Phra Fang was a monk who had set himself up as ruler at Sawangkhaburi, in what is now Uttaradit, and had taken Phitsanulok after the death of Chaophraya Phitsanulok. In 1770 King Taksin marched north and took Phitsanulok and Sawangkhaburi. Chao Phra Fang fled and disappeared. All the factions that had arisen after the fall of the capital were thus brought together within about three years.

Sawangkhaburi ≈Thonburi ≈Nakhon Sawan ≈Phitsanulok ≈AyutthayaChonburiKanchanaburiSukhothaiNakhon RatchasimaNakhon PathomRatchaburiNakhon NayokPrachin BuriChachoengsaoSamut PrakanSaraburiTakSuphan BuriAng ThongKamphaeng PhetMyanmarThailand1234
  • 1Stops, numbered as in the list below
  • 3Fighting with other forces
  • 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.

A faction of monks at Sawangkhaburi

Chao Phra Fang was a monk with a large following who made himself a ruler while still wearing the yellow robe. A number of monks in his faction took up arms. When King Taksin marched north in 1770, the Thonburi army took Phitsanulok first and then went on to Sawangkhaburi. Chao Phra Fang fled and disappeared.

After the campaign King Taksin had monks invited up from Thonburi to purify the monastic order in the northern towns. Monks who had taken part in the fighting were made to disrobe or be ordained anew. It was part of the revival of Buddhism after the war.

The route in 4 stops

  1. 1

    Thonburi

    Bangkok≈ approximate position13.740, 100.490

    Places to visit nearby

    Where to eat nearby

    Directions ↗

  2. 2

    Nakhon Sawan

    Nakhon Sawan≈ approximate position15.700, 100.120

    Where to eat nearby

    Directions ↗

  3. 3

    Phitsanulok

    Phitsanulok≈ approximate position16.820, 100.260

    Where to eat nearby

    Directions ↗

  4. 4

    Sawangkhaburi (Uttaradit)

    Uttaradit≈ approximate position17.630, 100.090

    Fighting (not the Burmese)
    Battle
    Sawangkhaburi
    Against
    The faction of Chao Phra Fang; not Burmese troops
    How
    The Thonburi army went up and took Phitsanulok first, then went on to attack Sawangkhaburi. Chao Phra Fang fled and was never found.
    Outcome
    Phitsanulok and Sawangkhaburi were taken, and the last of the factions that arose after the fall of the capital was brought in.
    Note
    Approximate position.

    Places to visit nearby

    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

Frequently asked questions

Where was Chao Phra Fang's faction based?

At Sawangkhaburi, in what is now Uttaradit.

Sources
  1. Taksin - Wikipedia

Last updated 13 November 2026