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The Phitsanulok campaign: wounded at Koei Chai

After Thonburi was founded the country was still split into several factions. The largest in the north was that of Chaophraya Phitsanulok (Rueang). In 1768 King Taksin went up against it with a fleet, but in the fighting at Koei Chai, in the Nakhon Sawan area, he was hit in the shin by a bullet and had to withdraw to Thonburi. It was the only campaign of the wars against the factions in which King Taksin had to retreat.

Koei Chai ≈Thonburi ≈Ayutthaya ≈Nakhon Sawan ≈KanchanaburiNakhon PathomRatchaburiNakhon NayokChachoengsaoSamut PrakanSaraburiSuphan BuriAng ThongThailand1234
  • 1Stops, numbered as in the list below
  • 3Fighting with other forces
  • 1–3Several stops close together: tap to zoom in
  • ≈ approximate position

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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.

The faction of Chaophraya Phitsanulok

When the capital fell, Chaophraya Phitsanulok (Rueang) set himself up as ruler of the northern towns, and his was counted among the strongest of the factions. King Taksin saw that the northern towns had to be brought together before the Burmese came back, so in 1768 he took a fleet up the Chao Phraya River.

The two armies met at Koei Chai, in the Nakhon Sawan area. During the fighting King Taksin was shot in the shin, and the Thonburi army fell back. Chaophraya Phitsanulok later proclaimed himself king, but died not long afterwards, and his faction was taken over by that of Chao Phra Fang.

The route in 4 stops

  1. 1

    Thonburi

    Bangkok≈ approximate position13.740, 100.490

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  2. 2

    Ayutthaya

    Ayutthaya≈ approximate position14.356, 100.568

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  3. 3

    Nakhon Sawan

    Nakhon Sawan≈ approximate position15.700, 100.120

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  4. 4

    Koei Chai

    Nakhon Sawan≈ approximate position15.860, 100.240

    Fighting (not the Burmese)
    Battle
    The battle of Koei Chai
    Against
    The army of the Phitsanulok faction under Chaophraya Phitsanulok (Rueang); not Burmese troops
    How
    The Thonburi fleet went up and met them at Koei Chai. King Taksin was hit in the shin by a bullet.
    Outcome
    King Taksin was shot in the shin, and the army had to withdraw to Thonburi.
    Note
    Approximate position.

    Position on the map: Koei Chai subdistrict, Chum Saeng district, approximately

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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 year of the battle: the sources use 1768, but the exact dates are unclear.

Frequently asked questions

Did King Taksin ever lose a battle?

At Koei Chai in 1768 he was shot in the shin and had to withdraw, but two years later he brought the northern towns under his rule.

Sources
  1. Taksin - Wikipedia
  2. King Taksin the Great – KMUTT Library (in Thai)

Last updated 13 November 2026