Burmese–Siamese War (1593–1600)

Burmese–Siamese War (1594-1605)
Part of Burmese–Siamese wars
Map showing Siam forces' advance towards Burma: Red: Siamese invasion in 1594 Brown: Siamese invasion and retreat in 1595-1596 Yellow: Siamese invasion in 1599-1602
Date c. March 1594 –November 1605 Location Southern and central Burma (Myanmar) Result Siamese victory, Fall of Toungoo dynasty
Belligerents
File:Historic flag of Burma-Myanmar.svg Kingdom of Burma	Kingdom of Siam
Commanders and leaders
Nanda Bayin Minye Thihathu (Viceroy of Toungoo) Viceroy of Prome Viceroy of Ava	Naresuan Phraya Chakri Phraya Prakhlang Phraya Sri Saiyanarong Phraya Theparchun
Units involved
File:Historic flag of Burma-Myanmar.svg Royal Burmese Army including: File:Historic flag of Burma-Myanmar.svg Toungoo Army File:Historic flag of Burma-Myanmar.svg Prome Army File:Historic flag of Burma-Myanmar.svg Ava Army File:Historic flag of Burma-Myanmar.svg Dawei regiment File:Historic flag of Burma-Myanmar.svg Tenasserim regiments	Royal Siamese Army including: Mon Volunteer
Strength
300,000	250,000

The Burmese–Siamese War (1594-1605) (Burmese: ယိုးဒယား-မြန်မာစစ် (၁၅၄၈); Thai: สงครามพม่า-สยาม พ.ศ. 2091 or สงครามสยามรุกรานพม่า, lit. "Siam invasion of Burma") was the war fought between the Toungoo Dynasty of Burma and the Ayutthaya Kingdom of Siam, This war caused by the vengeance of Siam towards the Burmese rule in 1569, Which ended with the victory of Siam with seized the cities of Dawei and Tenasserim, and two major cities of Toungoo Dynasty.

Background

After Burmese–Siamese War (1584–1593) Nanda Bayin king of Burma sent his son Mingyi Swa to capture Ayutthaya, But the invasion was failed Minygi Swa was killed, Burma where the weak after the death of the Mingyi Swa. Nanda Bayin order penalize such generals don't coverage Minyi Swa. and Burmese people is panic. This is the opportunity is especially suitable for the Siam invasion. The King Naresuan of Ayutthaya Kingdom was plan to requiring conquer Burma, and to avenge on the Burmese rule of Siam.

Battle Dawei and Tenasserium coast

In January 1594 King Naresuan was divided army into two units. The troops attack cities Dawei and Tenasserium. 1st army units under Phya Chakri command 50,000 troops to attack the Tenasserium city, 2th army units under Phraya Prakhlang command 50,000 army troops to capture Dawei city. Dawei and Tenasserium cities and cities in Thailand during Sukhothai period. The Burmese had taken. But in the reign of King Naresuan the chance to retake it. When the Governor of Tenasserium know that the siamese army will attack. And immediately send tidings to Pegu. Nanda Bayin was ordered to send 23,000 mens and Royal navy units under General Samin Ou Ba kong and Samin Pha ta bha control down to the Pegu to Protect Dawei and Tenasserium.

During the conscription in Pegu. Phya Chakri move troops to the siege Tenasserium city. Governor of the Tenasserium city defense the city for 15 days. After That the city had been capture by the Phraya Chakri. The army units of Phraya Prakhlang which attacked Dawei has against the Royal Burmese army. Then Burmese army retreated to Foot of the hill of Tenasserim Hills Phraya Prakhlang army siege Dawei for 20 days. Governor of Dawei seen that no way to prevent the city and decided to surrender to Siam.

When Phraya Chakri capture the Tenasserium city. He had planned to capture Mergui. And it makes Burma Army in Mergui defeated because the supply was cut off arms supplies to the guerrillas founded by King Naresuan. That make Phraya Chakri successful to capture Mergui. Phraya Chakri Not know circumstances of Phraya Prakhlang army in Dawei. And concerns that the Dawei city is the source Burmese army troops will come down. If Phraya Prakhlang cannot capture the city. Burmese army could be carried down to attack. Phraya Chakri gave the ships that trade in the town of Mergui and Mergui native vessels changed to 150 warships. Appointed Phraya Theparchun transferred the Naval Sea to Dawei And appointed General Phraya Sri Saiyanarong to control army units garrison of the city Tenasserim.

Phraya Theparchun army raised to the sea and landing at Maungmagan he had fought with the Burmese Navy under General Samin Ou Ba kong and Samin Pha ta bha command it’s a single army that Nanda Bayin sent down to protect the city of Tenasserim. Royal Burmese Navy warships, has about 200 ships carried a combined total of about 23,000 mens, that was all the Burmese forces that help maintain the city. It started fight in the sea. Until the high waves withdrew Siamese and Burmese armies have retreat to the beach. When the Phraya Prakhlang capture Dawei he also didn’t know circumstances of Phraya Chakri army in Tenasserium Because he don’t know Phraya Chakri successful to capture Tenasserim or not. He Prepared 100 ships carried a combined total of about 5,000 mens appointed Phraya Phichai Songkhram and Phraya Ram to assist Phraya Chakri in Tenasserim. fight against Burmese army to the north Phraya Theparchun know that Phraya Phichai Songkhram and Phraya Ram was assist from the north. And fight against Burmese army to the south. Burma Army was heavily damaged General Samin Ou Ba kong and Samin Pha ta bha was killed by Siamese soldier in the battlefield. The Burmese ships has escaped to the coast Siam had captured 500 men and completely capture Dawei and Tenasserium. all the remaining Burmese army has retreat to Pegu.

Capture of Mon State

In April 1594 Bhaya Law Governor of Mottama controversy with Bhaya Bharaw Governor of Mawlamyine About the territory. Bhaya Bharaw fear that Bhaya Law could attack Mawlamyine Therefore Bhaya Bharaw send the diplomatic to pledge allegiance to King Naresuan. And asked Naresuan to send troops to help protect the city of Mawlamyine. King Naresuan immediately accept to help Bhaya Bharaw. And appointed General Phraya Sri Saiya to control 3,000 army units to protect Mawlamyine. Bhaya Law fear Siamese army Led him Did not attack Mawlamyine. subsequent the Siam army and Mawlamyine attacked Mottama completely. After that Naresuan appointed Bhaya Bharaw to become Governor of all of Mon State. This makes Bhaya Bharaw Support Siamese army.

First siege of Pegu

After King Naresuan has capture the Mon State This is a significant turning point of the Siamese-Burmese war. This make Siamese army used Mon state as a base. That will be raised to attack the city of Pegu easily. In December 1594 Nanda Bayin of Burma has thought to retake the cities of southern Burma from Siam. But the high burmese nobles had suggested that this time burma is weak. And suggested that must retention of military first. After a suggestion from the high nobility Burma did not attack the of cities in the southern. In 1595 King Naresuan led royal army to attack the city of Pegu with 120,000 mens and march troops to the city of Mawlamyine Naresuan gathered Mon army from Bhaya Bharaw support. Then he led royal army to siege the city of Pegu. Siamese army siege the city of Pegu in 3 months and has been stripped of the city. but was unable to enter. The huge forces of the Lords of Pyay, Toungoo, and Ava then arrived to free Pegu with the approaching rainy season. Naresuan decided to retreat on Songkran Day in 1596 Naresuan has forcibly numerous settled in the cities of Pegu back to Ayutthaya and the Burmese army was not carried out to attack retaliate Siam in any way.

Second siege of Pegu

King Naresuan entered Pegu near Shwemawdaw Paya.

After First siege of Pegu make Royal Burma amy in Pegu weaken further and Pegu citizens famine and hunger. And Siam has inspection of the terrain of Pegu This is useful to treat the military to seize the city of Pegu. In 1599 Naresuan decided to invade Pegu again. Naresuan allied himself with Rakhine to attacked Pegu. However, the (Viceroy of Toungoo) Minye Thihathu feared that if Naresuan had taken Pegu the Siamese power would have been too large and might engulf Toungoo itself. So, the Lord of Toungoo has plan to help Pegu if Siam siege the city. And provide coastal territory to Rakhine By agreement with Rakhine not help Siam siege Pegu. Rakhine agreed to the offer and withdraw from the battle. King Naresuan saw that in Pegu are turbulent, so he went his troops to attacked Pegu. And Minye Thihathu has sent troops with 14,000 mens to help Nanda Bayin in Pegu. The Siamese army had captured the city of Pegu before Toungoo due to space exploration at Pegu in 1594. Finally Naresuan can capture Pegu easily but Minye Thihathu Viceroy of Toungoo took Nanda Bayin and left for Toungoo. When Naresuan reached Pegu he can not found Nanda Bayin. Later he knows that the Minye Thihathu took Nanda Bayin left for Toungoo. he requested Minye Thihathu to sent Nanda Bayin back to him but Minye Thihathu refused.

Siege of Toungoo

File:Siege of Toungoo.jpg

Siamese army siege of Toungoo

After that Naresuan was attacked Toungoo, Naresuan laid the siege on Toungoo. Toungoo city is deep and long moat, King Naresuan ordered the changes miners dug a moat of water to flow down to the Sittaung River. And led army to capture the city. In March 1602 he can capture the city. Minye Thihathu was left for Pyinmana and Nanda Bayin was assassinated by Natshinnaung.

After Siamese capture of Toungoo, Naresuan was a plan to capture the Pyinmana, but supplies are not sufficient to combat the long-haul routes to the city of Pyinmana, and the city is strategy that makes it difficult to attack. That make the Siamese move duration to capture Pyinmana.

Defense of Toungoo

In 1605 after Siamese seized Toungoo for 3 years, Minye Thihathu mobilize people from Pyinmana to seized Toungoo back, But Siamese army had Stronger Force on strengthening the protection of the city that make Burmese defeated and retreated.

Aftermath

After Naresuan capture the two largest city in Burma As in 1605, the Kingdom of Ayutthaya reached the greatest extent, But Toungoo Empire was demolished. In March 1605 Naresuan had fallen ill and then went back to Ayutthaya. In 1606 Minye Thihathu allied himself with Nyaungyan Min (Who had fled to Bagan) to drive out of Siamese from Burmese territory. Naresuan's brother Ekathotsarot has to calm the Burmese conflicts. Nyaungyan Min army has driven out the Siamese army from Burma and restored Toungoo Empire,

References

• Our Wars with the Burmese: Thai-Burmese Conflict 1539–1767, ISBN 974-7534-58-4

See also

• Burmese–Siamese wars
• Burma–Thailand relations