...Tabinshwehti himself leads a large force, supported…
1548 CE
...Tabinshwehti himself leads a large force, supported by Portuguese mercenaries, westwards over the Three Pagodas Pass Route to attack Ayutthaya in 1548.
This occurs barely six months into reign of King Maha Chakapat, whose Queen Sri Suriyothai participates in the battle between Ayutthaya and Tabinshwehti's forces.
The Thai king leads his troops in the defense of the city from atop his war elephant, as is the custom at this time.
Women are not permitted to take part in battle, but Suriyothai is so concerned for her husband that she disguises herself as a man and rides into battle on her own elephant.
Seeing the king’s elephant collapsed from wounds and the king in danger of being slain during the battle, Suriyothai maneuvers her elephant to protect her husband and is killed by a scythe.
Her daughter, also dressed as a man, perishes in the fighting as well, and the Siamese monarch’s son Rameshvara and son-in-law are captured.
Facing strong fortifications and Portuguese mercenaries at Ayutthaya, Tabinshwehti decides to attack the weaker towns to the north, ...