A television drama sequel to Kasatriya. After Phra Ong Dam, or King Naresuan, escaped from Hongsawadi and returned to Ayutthaya, he brought with him a group of Tai Yai people, including Princess Maneechan and Princess Manee In, as well as Khun Saen Kla, a warrior of the Tai Yai ruler. Also in that procession were members of the Ayutthaya royal court, including Princess Pichitjinda and Duan, who was both a royal attendant and a consort of Prince Ramesuan.
The return of Phra Ong Dam brought great joy to Queen Wisutkasat, King Maha Thammaracha, and Prince Ekathotsarot (Phra Ong Khao). Phra Ong Dam fell in love with Princess Maneechan and later ruled Phitsanulok. He constantly reflected on how Ayutthaya had become a vassal state of Hongsawadi, and so he gathered skilled soldiers and changed his military strategy—from deploying massive armies to adopting guerrilla warfare tactics.
These elite soldiers later studied warfare under Khun Mueang, his mentor. There were six of them: Ming, Thiang, Bun, Perm, Khwan, and Kham, along with Khun Saen Kla, making a total of seven trusted warriors.
Meanwhile, Hongsawadi did not trust Ayutthaya, knowing well of Naresuan’s bravery, and sought opportunities to wage war. However, each invasion ended in defeat, encouraging various vassal states to rebel. Mangkyawshwar harshly beat his queen, Tong Shwe, angering her father, the King of Ava, who then rebelled. Chandara and Suwannachat, relatives of Ava, were exiled from Hongsawadi.
When they returned to Ava with Nintyawadi, Suwannachat’s queen, King Nandabayin ordered all vassal states to attack Ava. Naresuan deliberately marched his army slowly, waiting to see the outcome of the conflict between Nandabayin and the King of Ava.
Mangkyawshwar, defending the city, devised a plan: he instructed Phraya Kiat and Phraya Ram, Mon nobles, to receive Naresuan at Khaeng, intending to lure and assassinate him. However, the two had once been close to Naresuan and revealed the plot to Maha Thera Khanchong, who then informed Naresuan. Enraged, Naresuan declared independence at Khaeng, refusing to remain under Hongsawadi.
King Nandabayin launched several campaigns against Ayutthaya, but all ended in failure. These repeated defeats caused further rebellions among vassal states and unrest within Hongsawadi itself. The King of Rakhine sent his daughter to Nandabayin, provoking great anger from the chief queen Suphaya and Princess Suwannanta. Rakhine also used his daughter to bring in Filipe de Brito, a Portuguese merchant, who gained significant political influence in Hongsawadi.
Meanwhile, Naresuan became acquainted with Sebastian, a Spaniard who taught him the use of firearms. After King Maha Thammaracha passed away, Naresuan ascended the throne and appointed Ekathotsarot as the viceroy.
Nobles from the previous reign presented Naresuan with a noblewoman of the Suphannaphum royal lineage as a consort named Maneeratana. Princess Maneechan felt saddened but did not show it. From the Sukhothai royal lineage, Lady Sri Chulalak offered a woman named Kaew Pathum as a chief consort, motivated by resentment over not receiving love from King Maha Thammaracha. This act stirred turmoil within Ayutthaya.
As for Khun Mueang, he was appointed as “Chao Phraya Surasi,” ruling Phitsanulok in place of Naresuan.