Suphankanlaya (สุพรรณกัลยา)

Pali-Thai. ‘Golden Lady’. Name of a 16th century Princess of Ayutthaya who was a Queen Consort of King Bayinnaung (fig.) of Burma. She was the daughter of King Mahadhammaracha (1569-1590) with Queen Wisutikasat, whom herself was the daughter of King Maha Chakraphad (มหาจักรพรรดิ, 1568-1569) and Queen Suriyothai (fig.). Queen Suphankanlaya was hence a granddaughter of King Maha Chakraphad and Queen Suriyothai, as well as the elder sister of King Naresuan (fig.) and King Ekathotsarot (fig.), whom when still princes, were taken to the court in Pegu as an assurance for the loyalty of their father, then a vassal to the Burmese King. When Suphankanlaya in 1571 married Bayinnaung  and became one of this Burmese King's minor wives, it created a bond that consolidated the allegiance of her father and her brothers were allowed to return home. She had two children with King Bayinnaung and after his death in 1581, she became the wife of his son and successor, King Nanda Bayin. In 1584, her father revolted against Nanda Bayin and he revoked the oath of allegiance to the Burmese King which consequently led  to war. After her father's death in 1590, her brother Naresuan carried on the fight and in 1593 defeated and killed Nanda Bayin's son, the heir apparent Min Gyi Swa, in a legendary duel on the backs of war elephants (fig.). When Nanda Bayin learnt of his Crown Prince's death, it is said that he became so enraged that he stroke Queen Suphankanlaya dead, despite the fact that she was eight months pregnant with his child. See also list of Thai Kings. See also TRAVEL PICTURE and WATCH VIDEO. 回