Kings are eager to conquer land; luckily that is different now. Here, after all, one Muang was fought too much and that ended disastrously.
The city of Muang Kosampee was once ruled by King Thapmongkol. The king grew old and wanted to inherit the kingdom to his son Thep Thong.
Eleven provinces had already been conquered by the king, but one city had not yet been conquered: Muang Srivichai. King Thepmongkol wanted to conquer that city before his death. Taking countries from others is the passion of many kings….
But the stars are gloomy about that Muang…
The king and his son consulted the astrologer of the court. Will the battle be successful? The astrologer calculated and calculated and said 'No, it looks threatening and there is a woman involved. Don't do it.' But they did not listen and decided to go to war.
Muang Srivichai had no more monarch. He had died. Princess Sroi Fah Thevi was the eldest child, Prince Koot Chassing was the youngest but had not yet been crowned due to his youth and inexperience. King Thepmongkol knew this and wanted to attack because Prince Koot Chassing would not be able to lead the army.
The young prince nevertheless led the army in the attack, but they were defeated. The prince was seriously injured and died in his sister's arms. And she decided to take revenge.
Princess Sroi Fah dressed up as a commoner and started singing and dancing as if there had been no war. And when after the war all civilians and precious things were gathered, she met Prince Thep Thong and he fell in love with her. He informed his father that he had met a beautiful woman and wanted to marry her…..
The king was angry about this and summoned the captive Sroi Fah. He was not frightened and made a fine impression on the old king. No one, neither the king nor his son, knew that she was the princess of this Muang. She was able to hide her hatred and anger well and sang and danced for both of them. She was allowed to live in the palace and was abundantly supplied with what she needed.
Revenge!
On that night, when the king was sleeping, she crept into his room and killed him with her golden lance. Then she sneaked into the prince's room and killed him too. She fled to her people who rebelled and drove out the foreign army.
So the astrologer's prediction came true....
Source: Folk Tales of Thailand (1976). Translation and editing Erik Kuijpers.
A story that is danced under the name 'the prince with the golden lance'. Not in the khoon and the lakhon, which were more for the courts, but in the likay, folk theater / folk opera, originating from Malaysia where it is called djikay. This is in the period of Kings Rama V and Rama VI and Prince Damrong. Dance, music, song and spoken word. An explanation of this dance can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Likay