Statue of
Phrya
Phichai Dahb Hak in
Wat Arun, who had the
bandasak or non-hereditary
title of
Phrya, a rank directly
under a
Chao Phrya,
and one level higher than a
Phra. Born in
Uttaradit,
he was a military leader and influential partner of King
Taksin. In 1773 he succeeded in averting a
Burmese invasion in his region, courageously fighting the enemy by slashing his
two swords so hard, that one of them actually broke during combat (fig.).
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