Tong Oo War (2143 B.E.)

Tong Oo War (2143 B.E.)

In March 2143 B.E., King Naresuan led the army of Ayudhya and Mon soldiers to surround the city of Tong Oo. Since the city wall of Tong Oo was solidly built in the Ayudhya fashion, it was difficult to attack the city. King Naresuan then ordered his men to dig a canal to connect the city canal to the Pong Long River in order to dry the city canal. The Burmese would later call this the Ayodhaya canal. The Thai army surrounded Tong Oo throughout March and April. In May 2143 B.E. King Naresuan ordered a retreat due to the lack of food supplies that was caused by attacks by the Arakan army, Phra Chao Tong Oo’s ally. This war professed King Naresuan’s ability to manage the landscape to his advantage, as seen in the digging of the canal to dry the water in the Tong Oo city canal and to give his army an advantageous position in the war. That the king did not insist on winning over Tong Oo and that he was aware of the fact that Arakan thieves kept attacking food supplies of the Thai troops saved his army the lives of the soldiers that were vital to the king’s own power and to the strength of the Thai army.

picture : King Naresuan ordered his men to dig a canal to connect the city canal to the Pong Long River in order to dry the city canal. The Burmese call this the Ayodhaya canal.