Home › Campaign routes
The routes of the Nine Armies' War
The six fronts of the Nine Armies' War of 1785–1786, the Tha Din Daeng campaign that followed the next year, and the stand at Thung Samrit that gave rise to the name Suranari. Tap a number on the map or a button in the list to highlight a route.
- Enemy armies (dashed line)
- Siamese armies (solid line)
- Number = the battlefield of that route
- Bangkok
The mark ≈ means an approximate position. Borders on the map are present-day borders, shown only to help you find places. The routes are approximate lines drawn from the chronicles and later studies, not the actual path step by step. Dashed lines are enemy armies; solid lines are Siamese armies.
Every route, in order
- 1The Battle of Lat Ya: the Burmese main force through Three Pagodas PassDecember 1785 – February 1786
The Burmese vanguard was broken at Lat Ya on 17 February 1786. King Bodawpaya's royal army fell back to Martaban without ever coming down to fight.
- 2The Battle of Khao Ngu, Ratchaburi: the 2nd army from TavoyFebruary 1786
The Burmese vanguard was broken at Khao Ngu and the rear column at Chao Khwao Pass. The whole 2nd army withdrew to Tavoy.
- 3The southern campaign: Chumphon, Chaiya and Nakhon Si ThammaratDecember 1785 – March 1786
The Burmese were broken at Chaiya in March 1786 and withdrew to Mergui. Siam recovered all the southern towns.
- 4The defence of Thalang: Thao Thep Krasattri and Thao Si SunthonDecember 1785 – 13 March 1786
The people of Thalang held their town for a little over a month. The Burmese withdrew on 13 March 1786. Khun Ying Chan became Thao Thep Krasattri and Khun Muk became Thao Si Sunthon.
- 5The northern campaign: Lampang and Pak PhingDecember 1785 – March 1786
The Burmese vanguard was broken at Pak Phing on 18 March 1786. The Siamese army marched up to relieve Lampang, and the 3rd army fell back to Chiang Saen.
- 6The 9th army through Mae Lamao Pass to TakEarly 1786
The 9th army withdrew through Mae Lamao Pass in March 1786, after learning that the Burmese had been broken at Pak Phing.
- 7The Tha Din Daeng campaign: Siam strikes at the frontierFebruary 1787
The Burmese camps at Tha Din Daeng and Sam Sop fell in three days, and the crown prince withdrew to Martaban. It was the last time Burma sent a large army in through Three Pagodas Pass.
- 8The stand at Thung Samrit: Thao Suranari and the people of KoratFebruary–March 1827 (BE 2369 in most Thai books)
The people of Nakhon Ratchasima routed their guards and the force sent after them. Chao Anouvong withdrew from Nakhon Ratchasima, and the king made Khun Ying Mo Thao Suranari.