Elephant duel at Nong Sarai
1593 · Nong Sarai (present-day Suphan Buri Province, Thailand) · World · Modern
According to Thai sources, Naresuan, mounted on an elephant, fought the Burmese crown prince in single combat and killed him, and the Burmese army withdrew.
Belligerents
Ayutthaya Kingdom
- Commanders
- Naresuan, Ekathotsarot
- Strength
- Unknown
Toungoo dynasty
- Commanders
- Mingyi Swa (Burmese crown prince)
- Strength
- Unknown (the figures in Thai chronicles are clearly exaggerated)
Background
In 1569 the Toungoo dynasty captured Ayutthaya, and Siam became a vassal state. Naresuan, who had been a hostage at the Burmese court, declared independence in 1584 and repeatedly drove back Burmese armies. At the end of 1592, the Toungoo king Nanda Bayin sent the crown prince Mingyi Swa south at the head of a great army on another campaign.
Course of the battle
- Burmese army marches southMingyi Swa led his army into Siam by way of the Three Pagodas Pass area and advanced on Ayutthaya.
- Duel on elephant-backThe two armies met at Nong Sarai; the war elephants carrying Naresuan and his brother Ekathotsarot charged into the enemy ranks, and Naresuan killed Mingyi Swa (Burmese sources describe the events differently).
- Burmese army withdrawsHaving lost its commander, the Burmese army withdrew, and Siam went over to the counteroffensive.
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 1593 |
|---|---|
| Place | Nong Sarai (in present-day Suphan Buri province, Thailand) |
| Result | According to Thai sources, Naresuan, mounted on an elephant, fought the Burmese crown prince in single combat and killed him, and the Burmese army withdrew. |
| Winner | Ayutthaya Kingdom |
| Casualties | No reliable record |
| Territorial change | Toungoo was thereafter unable to launch another major offensive against Siam; Siam went from defense to attack, expanding toward Tenasserim and Cambodia. |
Impact
It is the most famous battle in Thai history: Naresuan is revered as "the Great," and the anniversary of the battle, around January 18, has been made Thailand's Armed Forces Day.
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