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The capture of Vientiane and the Emerald Buddha
Late in 1778 the Thonburi army under Chaophraya Chakri and Chaophraya Surasi marched against Vientiane, besieged the city for about four months until it fell, and brought the Emerald Buddha and the Phra Bang image to Thonburi. This Emerald Buddha is the image enshrined to this day in Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram (Wat Phra Kaeo).
- 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.
From Champasak to Vientiane
In 1777 the Thonburi army went to put down unrest in the Champasak region, and Chaophraya Chakri was promoted to Somdet Chaophraya Maha Kasat Suek. The following year an army of about 20,000 marched on Vientiane and besieged the city for about four months until it fell. The Thonburi army brought the Emerald Buddha and the Phra Bang to be enshrined at Thonburi.
King Taksin did not go on this campaign himself, but it extended Thonburi's influence as far as Lan Xang. Later, in the reign of King Rama I, the Emerald Buddha was moved to Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram, while the Phra Bang was eventually returned to Laos.
The route in 4 stops
- 1
Thonburi
Places to visit nearby
- Wat Arun ↗Google Maps
- Wongwian Yai, King Taksin monument ↗Google Maps
- Bangkok travel guidesongkran.com
Where to eat nearby
- Restaurants around this stop ↗Google Maps
- 2
Nakhon Ratchasima
Places to visit nearby
- Thao Suranari monument and Chumphon Gate ↗Google Maps
- Things to do in Nakhon Ratchasimasongkran.com
Where to eat nearby
- Where to eat in Nakhon Ratchasimasongkran.com
- Restaurants around this stop ↗Google Maps
- 3
Nong Khai
Places to visit nearby
- Wat Pho Chai (Luang Pho Phra Sai) ↗Google Maps
- Things to do in Nong Khaisongkran.com
Where to eat nearby
- Where to eat in Nong Khaisongkran.com
- Restaurants around this stop ↗Google Maps
- 4
Vientiane
Fighting (not the Burmese)- Battle
- The siege of Vientiane
- Against
- The army of Vientiane; not Burmese troops
- How
- The Thonburi army under Chaophraya Chakri and Chaophraya Surasi besieged the city for about four months until it fell.
- Outcome
- Vientiane was taken, and the Emerald Buddha and the Phra Bang were brought to Thonburi.
- Note
- Approximate position.
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
- BangkokStop 1Bangkok travel guide →
- Nakhon RatchasimaStop 2Things to do in Nakhon Ratchasima →Where to eat in Nakhon Ratchasima →
- Nong KhaiStop 3Things to do in Nong Khai →Where to eat in Nong Khai →
Frequently asked questions
When did the Emerald Buddha come to Thailand?
The Thonburi army brought it from Vientiane after taking the city in 1779.
Last updated 13 November 2026