25 April: Anniversary of King Naresuan the Greats Passing with Key Timeline Events

25 April marks the anniversary of the death of King Naresuan the Great also known as the "Black Prince" along with a review of key timeline events

On 25 April 2026, the Facebook pageof the Ministry of Defense's Public Relations Officeposted an article "Knowledge Notes: 25 April, Anniversary of King Naresuan the Great's Passing" stating that King Naresuan the Great was a mighty and courageous warrior king who restored Thailand's independence after the first fall of Ayutthaya. He expanded the kingdom's power extensively and passed away on 25 April 1605 at the age of 50 while leading a military campaign.

King Naresuan the Great, called the "Black Prince" by common people of that era, was born at Chan Palace in Phitsanulok in the year 1555 during the reign of the Ayutthaya emperor. He was the son of King Maha Thammaracha of the Sukhothai dynasty and Queen Wisutkasat of the Suvarnabhumi dynasty. He had elder sisters and younger brothers: Suphankalayanee and Ekathotsarot, respectively.

Timeline of key events

• Year 1564 (age 9) | King Tabinshwehti of Burma invaded Ayutthaya; King Naresuan was taken hostage to Hongsawadi for six years.
• Year 1570 (age 15) | Returned from Hongsawadi.
• Year 1571 (age 16) | Ascended the throne of Phitsanulok and commanded all northern cities.
• Year 1574 (age 19) | Led an army with his father to join the royal forces attacking Vientiane.
• Year 1578 (age 23) | Commanded the royal barge in pursuit of Phraya Chin Janthu who fled by boat to the mouth of the Chao Phraya River, showing remarkable bravery in battle.
• Year 1579 (age 24) | Served as commander fighting against the Thai king who led Khmer troops to attack Korat and inner cities, achieving victory despite fewer soldiers.
• Year 1581 (age 26) | The Hongsawadi king died; King Naresuan went to Hongsawadi for the new king's coronation on behalf of his father.
• Year 1583 (age 28) | As commander, he assisted Hongsawadi in attacking Lum and Kang cities in the Shan States under Burmese orders.
• Year 1584 (age 29) | Declared Thailand's independence at Muang Kraeng. The Hongsawadi king sent Surakham to pursue him, but King Naresuan killed Surakham, the Burmese commander, with a gunshot across the Satong River and was granted full authority to govern the kingdom independently.
• Year 1590 (age 35) | King Maha Thammaracha, his father, passed away. King Naresuan ascended the throne on 29 July 1590, appointing Ekathotsarot as viceroy with honors equal to the king.
• Year 1592 (age 37) | The Battle of Nong Sarai occurred with Burmese forces numbering 240,000 and Thai forces 100,000 at Suphanburi. King Naresuan defeated the Burmese viceroy Mangkayawsha of Hongsawadi with a sword, who died on 18 January 1592.
• Year 1605 (age 50) | Led an army of 200,000 to attack Ava but fell ill and passed away on 25 April 1605 at age 50.

Thanks to the Facebook page of the Ministry of Defense's Public Relations Office