Original subtitles

Disclaimer

The series "The Empress of Ayodhaya"

was inspired by the history of Thao Sri Sudachan.

The events, characters, behaviors, and details in this story

are interpreted, expanded upon, or newly created

for entertainment purposes

and are not entirely based on true historical events.

The creators are aware that some events

or actions may spark criticism,

but we affirm that the production

of "The Empress of Ayodhaya"

was made with good intentions. Beyond entertainment,

the aim is to encourage viewers to take an interest in history.

After watching, if viewers are interested,

they can seek additional knowledge from experts

or historians to gain an accurate understanding of Ayutthaya history.

Your Majesty.

My apologies, Your Majesty.

That's enough for now.

What story are you going to tell?

The story I will tell tonight

comes from the Kakati Jataka.

Once, the Bodhisattva was born as a King

of Benares,

with a queen named Kakati,

who was of extraordinary beauty.

One day,

a Garuda king

disguised as a man,

played dice with the King.

Upon seeing Kakati, he became enamored

and abducted her to his Vimana Chim Phli.

The

Bodhisattva

Oh

Oh

Was reborn

Oh

as Suparna

Oh

Nara

Upon hearing the song,

the Garuda King realized it was about Queen Kakati.

Mockingly, he remarked that

no human could cross the seven seas to reach his Vimana.

Nata Kuvera the Gandharva

then retorted with a laugh,

saying that he had crossed the seven seas to reach Vimana Chim Plhi…

carried by a foolish bird.

The assembly, upon hearing this

Broke into laughter

Inserting

A mocking remark

To reveal the truth

My Queen!

I heard a scream. What’s happening?

The Queen Consort Srisudachan

sent me to inform Lord Phan Butsrithep

that she will come to pray.

Please prepare the ceremonial items for the ritual.

How insolent! The Queen Consort is coming,

yet Lord Phan Butsrithep is not here to receive her?

Do you know where he is?

I truly do not, Your Majesty.

Wamon is purposely avoiding me. He must be angry.

Please, calm down first.

Since he left Ayodhaya,

he hasn’t responded to my letters.

Now that he has returned, he’s been appointed

as Phan Butsrithep, yet he didn’t inform me.

When I went to see him

he purposely avoided me.

Could it be

that he knows I betrayed him?

Please, calm down.

I will speak with him this evening to clarify everything.

No.

I need to take Prince Yod Fah

to see the King this evening.

Chuen!

Chuen!

Yes, Your Majesty?

Go fetch Prince Yod Fah for me.

Prince Yod Fah is not in the chamber, Your Majesty.

He went out with Chom.

Where did Chom take Prince Yod Fah?

I do not know, Your Majesty.

Chom has also disappeared.

Wait!

You cannot go without an escort. It is improper.

You are too slow. My child is missing

and Wamon has disappeared as well.

Are you worried that Prince Yod Fah is with Wamon?

I don’t know.

Perhaps Prince Yod Fah simply went out to play.

But I don’t feel at ease.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Please stay here.

Chuen and I will find him

- and bring him back immediately. - My child is missing.

Why can't I go too?

Your Majesty,

with all due respect

I didn’t mean any disrespect,

but I heard you say Prince Yod Fah is missing.

Prince Yod Fah just went out to play. I’m sending people to bring him back.

But I heard he was missing.

You cannot forget

that Prince Yod Fah is within the inner royal court.

It is my duty to ensure his protection.

No need to worry Madame Sae.

Prince Yod Fah only went out to play as children do.

Then

let him enjoy himself for now.

He is still a child.

No harm will come to him now.

However, once he is declared Crown Prince

danger will come from all sides.

I will keep that in mind. Come Tubtim, let’s go.

Once we find Prince Yod Fah, I’ll discipline him properly.

Someone saw Chom

heading toward Nong Wai Pond.

There she is!

Who gave you permission to come to the front court? Where is my child?

He went down to play in the boat, Your Majesty.

Prince Yod Fah!

Mother!

Hold my hand.

Watch your step, Your Highness.

Mother!

This is beautiful my Son. Let’s offer it to the temple later.

Chuen, escort Prince Yod Fah back to the chamber.

- Yes, Your Majesty. - You too.

Next time, take me to pick more lotus flowers.

Yes, Your Highness.

I will keep watch.

The Queen Consort should discuss whatever you need now.

Prince Yod Fah wanted to go on a boat, so I arranged it.

You should not do this.

I just wanted to foster a bond.

If we are to become family,

it would be better not to harbor ill feelings.

Why are you so worried?

Prince Yod Fah is still a child. Once the king passes,

will you leave him fatherless?

Let’s discuss us instead.

You’ve been gone without responding to my letters.

Now that you’ve returned, why didn’t you inform me?

I didn’t answer because I wanted to speak with you face to face.

PROTECT KING CHAIRACHATHIRAT

By acting this way, what are you trying to achieve?

Are you angry with me

because you acted in my name to assassinate the King?

Seixas, that two-faced fool…

- He must have told you everything. - Yes.

Otherwise, how would I know

- you disobeyed my orders? - I grew tired of waiting.

From the time you became a concubine

it’s been almost five years.

How long do you expect me to wait?

Does your heart still belong to me?

Since the day we released the sky lanterns…

my heart has belonged to no one but you.

Let’s make a wish together

hoping all bad Karma floats away with this lantern.

You took a long time to make a wish.

What burden weighs so heavily on you?

Loving you

when I shouldn’t, already weighs heavily enough.

Then if loving you is a sin

I’m willing to suffer in hell for all eternity.

If you go to hell

I will no longer wish to ascend to heaven.

My love for you

remains the same

but Ayodhaya is surrounded by war.

- We cannot do as we please. - Ayodhaya will never be free of war.

With its wealth and resources, everyone desires it.

You wait for Prince Yod Fah to grow,

but what if something happens to him in the meantime?

- Are you cursing my child? - I’m only speaking the truth.

If you delay any longer

it will ruin everything.

Someone is coming. You must leave now.

Your Majesty,

why have you come to the front court?

Didn’t I just explain to you?

Or is your hearing not good?

Searching for the Prince in the front court

is already inappropriate.

But I just

met Chuen and Chom.

They were escorting the Prince back.

Why are you

still here in this improper place by yourself?

I am not a child.

I am the Queen Consort

and I know what is proper and what is not.

Do not overstep your boundaries Sae.

Pack your things and leave the palace

for the crime of taking Prince Yod Fah to the front court.

But Brahmin Wamon--

Shut up!

Do not speak anyone’s name.

It’s because of you

that the Queen had to go to the front court.

If anyone suspects whom she met,

we will all be ruined.

Now, go pack and leave!

Come Chom, I’ll see you to the gate.

No need.

It will cause a fuss.

Chom knows the way to the gate.

I bid you farewell.

Here, take this with you.

When you reach Lopburi, you won’t starve.

Hello.

Come on.

Alright.

Come here.

- Alright? - Not yet.

Is it alright?

Where will you follow her to?

I’ll follow until she stops.

She has stopped.

Eat first,

then I have some questions for you.

You are a servant who followed Queen Srisudachan from Lopburi,

so you should know what is proper and what is not.

Why did you dare to take Prince Yod Fah out so far to the front court?

Who did you meet?

I…

I didn’t…

Answer me. Stop stammering.

Chom.

Chom, what’s wrong?

Chom! Chom!

What’s happening to you?

Chom! Chom!

She's dead.

She just collapsed and died.

That is strange.

Go and inform Khun Phirenthorathep.

Tell him I wish to discuss something.

Yes, my Lady.

I sent people to examine Chom’s body

but they couldn’t find any cause of death.

She was young and healthy. How could she just die like that?

But…

But what?

People in the palace have died

without any trace or cause.

Chom is not the first.

Who do you think is behind

these sudden, unexplained deaths?

I’m not sure

but from now on, everyone in the palace

should be cautious.

I don’t know what caused Chom’s death.

You are wise. Can you not make a guess?

You’re the one who sent Chom to die outside the palace. How would I know?

Buy some fermented rice from me Dear.

Grandma!

Brahmin Wamon has ordered you to wait at the city gate.

There will be a merchant’s cart heading to Lopburi.

Go with them. You'll be safe.

Thank you.

Here, take this

and wait at the city gate.

If I had to guess,

I’d say she choked to death on something she ate.

Like Khun Pong and Khun Ban, right?

What do you mean?

I heard that Khun Pong and Khun Ban also died without cause.

Perhaps the thing that got stuck in Chom’s throat is the same as theirs.

Open the door!

I apologize for disturbing you at this late hour.

If it’s the King’s business, I am happy to oblige.

Then let’s go now.

Wait, Khem.

Though I am no longer the favored consort of King Chairachathirat,

I am still the daughter of Ok Ya Sukhothai.

Please don’t make me meet anyone in such a manner.

I, La-Ongkham, humbly ask for forgiveness

from you, Thao Intharasurenthorn.

I have repented for my past wrongdoings

and will no longer commit such evils.

Please,

grant me your forgiveness.

You’ve paid for your misdeeds.

Let bygones be bygones.

I forgive you.

Since Lady La-Ongkham has shown remorse,

I believe

she should be allowed to serve the King

to atone for her past sins.

If it is for the King’s benefit,

I will serve

without hesitation.

Sae, you’re the one with the plan.

Speak.

Recently, people in the palace

have been dying mysteriously.

Khun Phirenthorathep and I suspect that

someone is using poison in the royal court.

Thao Intharasurenthorn fears that this threat may reach the King

and wishes to prevent it.

What would you have me do?

This task

may cost you your life.

Are you willing to take it?

Keep the ribs.

Wash this carefully.

Take this.

Alright, chop this.

Today seems busier than usual. What’s going on?

A Chinese merchant

gifted us an entire pig,

so we’re cooking up a feast with it.

I’ll help with the cooking.

No need to trouble yourself, Thao Inthratevee.

Thao Intharasurenthorn, are you cooking for the King yourself today?

Not just today. From now on

I’ll be preparing

the King’s meals personally.

Take the troops from this side and move them to that side.

Over here, it’s the waterway.

I’ve made

a Buan curry for you, Your Majesty.

Perfect. That’s my favorite.

Thank you.

This is not all my loyalty yet, Your Majesty.

I humbly ask

to bring someone before you.

Who?

Chittrawadee!

What is this?

Lady La-Ongkham

was stripped of her title as Thao Si Chulalak

and sent to be imprisoned as punishment.

She has now repented,

and I ask Your Majesty

to pardon her and allow her to serve

as a way to atone.

Chittrawadee,

you bear no grudge against her.

That’s good of you.

But do you expect me to accept the person who killed my child

back into the palace as a concubine? I cannot.

With all due respect, Your Majesty.

I don’t dare dream of being your concubine again.

I only wish to serve you faithfully.

That's all I wish.

Thao Intharasurenthorn, why did you bring Lady La-Ongkham here?

What task do you intend for her?

There have been mysterious deaths in the palace,

possibly

due to poison.

I fear for the King’s safety.

So, I would like Lady La-Ongkham to serve.

From now on,

Lady La-Ongkham

will taste all the King’s meals

before they are served.

What is this madness?

- Summon Khem immediately. - Yes, Your Majesty.

How are you managing this palace, letting poisoners slip in like this?

It’s true some palace members have died, but they all died outside the palace.

Thao Intharasurenthorn

bringing Lady La-Ongkham to test the King’s meals

seems to be an overreaction.

Better to be safe than sorry.

Enough!

No more talking.

La-Ongkham,

if someone tries to poison me,

you will die in my place?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Eat it.

Eat it.

Eat it.

Swallow it.

Swallow it.

The King no longer trusts anyone.

He keeps calling for La-Ongkham.

And it’s your fault.

Don’t think I’m naive.

I know you were the one who poisoned those people.

How else could I have returned if Khun Pong and Khun Ban were alive?

- And what about Chom? - If we had let Chom live,

Madame Sae would have whipped her

until she spilled all our secrets.

To claim the throne of Ayodhaya,

many more will have to die.

If they do not die,

then we will.

Or do you not understand?

Stop.

Who is this Phan Butsrithep?

He’s a Brahmin from Lopburi, the same place as the Queen Consort.

Let's go.

Saen,

assign three or four men to guard this place.

What’s going on here?

Ugh!

What's happened?

I…

The Chinese brothel owner mentioned that

a man dressed as a Brahmin

visited Khun Pong and Khun Ban before they died.

A few days later,

a Brahmin named Wamon

was promoted to Phan Butsrithep,

taking charge of the outer shrine in place of Khun Ban.

It seems suspicious.

Follow me.

Ok Phra!

Ok Phra!

Ok Phra!

Go summon Wasuthep immediately.

Yes Sir.

Teacher, how is my father?

Father, it’s me.

It's me.

It's me, Jinda.

Jin… Jinda.

My father is gravely ill, why didn’t anyone tell me earlier?

It was Ok Phra’s order.

He didn’t want the Queen Consort to know.

Why not?

Because

he no longer wishes to live.

What?

Teacher Wasuthep, you’re a respected elder.

Why are you saying such nonsense?

For the five years

since the Queen Consort gave birth to Prince Yod Fah,

Ok Phra has counted the days.

Longing for you to return to Ayodhaya as a victor.

I was waiting for Prince Yod Fah to grow up before taking action.

For every year that Prince Yod Fah grows,

Ok Phra ages.

If Your Majesty continues waiting for Prince Yod Fah to grow,

Ok Phra may not live long enough.

Living without hope

is worse than dying.

JINDA

Hurry back to Ayodhaya

and present this letter to the King

and inform him that I request permission

to stay and care for my father until his condition improves.

Yes, Your Majesty.

And tell Wamon too.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Tell him to come quickly.

I have important matters to discuss.

Don’t be hasty, Your Majesty.

Ok Phra’s condition might improve with the right medicine.

- Please don’t rush into anything. - It’s my fault.

It's all my fault.

I’ve been delaying too long.

We’ve wasted so much time.

Jinda.

Father.

Father.

I promised you.

I will keep my promise.

You must take care of yourself.

Wait for the day when our Lavo bloodline

shall sit upon the throne of Ayodhaya.

Did you hear me Father?

Please hurry, Thao Inthratevee.

The mango trees are heavy with fruit this year.

There’s so much we’ve had to pickle some to preserve it.

Yes, my Lady.

Sweet and sour,

the Queen Consort would love it if she tasted it.

The Queen Consort is in Lopburi.

By the time she returns, there might not be any left.

You’re right. She’s not here now.

What's the matter, my Lady?

I have a stomachache.

Perhaps that pickled mango I tasted earlier

was cursed.

Kawao,

go summon the Royal Physician to prepare some medicine for Thao Inthratevee.

No need.

Thank you my Lady. I have some medicine back at my residence.

- Let’s go Thongdee. - Yes, my Lady.

Phan Butsrithep, Thao Inthratevee is here.

How may I serve you, Thao Inthratevee?

Queen Thao Srisudachan and I

are like sisters.

I noticed that she often visits this sacred site for blessings.

I thought I might do the same.

The Queen Consort is not here at the moment.

Can you conduct a ceremony for me

similar to the one you perform for her?

This way please. I will do it for you.

Wait.

The Queen consort told me that in Lopburi,

you use Khmer script. Is that true?

- Yes, my Lady. - How does it look?

Can you write something for me

Phan Butsrithep?

What would you like me to write?

Perhaps a prayer.

Yes my Lady.

The script looks strange indeed.

My Lady, what was that about earlier?

What do you mean?

You seem

so fond of Phan Butsrithep.

That was my intention, to keep him from suspecting

why I suddenly became interested in Khmer script.

It’s unmistakable. The handwriting,

the scent of incense on the paper.

Phan Butsrithep is the author of this secret letter.

He is Jinda’s lover.

The Queen Consort brought her lover into the palace.

Such audacity!

The plan is unfolding as expected.

Jinda is preparing to act against King Chairachathirat.

I know my daughter well.

She isn’t after power,

but she does everything for the people she loves.

Luang Kai, Luang Suk,

Lord Wasuthep,

prepare our men.

Sooner or later

we will kill King Chairachathirat

and reclaim the throne of Ayodhaya

for ourselves.

I have resolved that

even if I wasn’t born

under the royal canopy, I will die beneath it

like royalty.

Let all of you be witnesses.

After killing King Chairachathirat,

I will crown myself

as the next king of Ayodhaya.

Tubtim,

I’ve been looking for you.

Lady Jinda…

Queen Consort.

I’ve had the servants prepare lots of ripe fruits.

Tomorrow when you return, take them to Prince Yod Fah. Tell him they are from me.

From here to Ayodhaya,

it’s only half a day by cart and boat.

Why don’t you return to Ayodhaya with me? You can come back later.

Teacher wants me to stay a day or two longer

so I can think about what to do next.

Walls have ears. Doors have eyes.

Once Prince Yod Fah grows up,

if he learns

that his mother and her lover conspired to kill his father,

what will you say?

Parents are owed the greatest debt of gratitude,

but Ok Phra cannot live forever.

Before you act,

please think carefully.

If your actions for your father’s sake cause you to lose your son,

will you still do it? Please think carefully.

What? Stop!

What’s going on?

It looks like bandits.

This is a royal procession. Don’t be insolent!

Hey!

- Ugh! - Go!

- Hey! - Ugh!

May the Queen Consort succeed

in whatever she undertakes.

Use this oil.

These betel nuts are specially scented

to be offered to Your Majesty.

Anything offered for consumption

must be checked by me first.

Subtitle translation by: Panuwat Baikeawon