# Plerng Phra Nang

Plerng Phra Nang (Thai: เพลิงพระนาง; RTGS: Phloeng Phra Nang; lit: Her Majesty's Flame; English title: The Royal Fire) was a Thai TV drama or lakorn. It aired on Thailand's Channel 7 from February 17 to April 15, 2017 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 20:30 for a total of 26 episodes.

## Plot summary

The story is a thinly veiled depiction of the life story of Hsinbyumashin, queen of Burma (now Myanmar). It is set in the fictional country of Mueang Thip. Lady Ananthip has been stripped of her royal title. Her father, the late King Pitula, was deposed in a coup led by King Burapha Kham, who is the elder brother of Crown Princess Sekkaradewi. Out of resentment, she seeks revenge and precipitates the loss of Mueang Thip's independence.

## Cast

Main characters
| Role | Actor |
| Ananthip | Pachrapa Chaichua |
| Sekkhara Thewi | Chiranan Manochaem |
| Mueang Khum | Kelly Tanapat |
| Tong Nuan | Chawallakorn Wanthanapisitkul |
| Samphao Ngam | Chamaiporn Jaturaput |
| Man Fa | Tonont Wongboon |
| Tong Paeng | Chanon Akkarachata |
| Rim Bueng | Chatchadaporn Thanantha |
| Khrong Phop | Anuwat Choocherdrattana |
| Pin Mani | Tussaneeya Karnsomnuch |
| Renumat | Waritthisa Limthammahisorn |
| Thong Phaya | Panichada Sangsuwan |
Supporting characters
| Role | Actor |
| Bua Lai | Jarusiri Phuwanai |
| Fuang | Khansiri Sirimart |
| Peng | Pimdao Raveemongkolsathian |
| Khanong | Arucha Tosawat |
| Padaeng | Thapanat Sattayanurak |
| Kruea On | Thamonpan Panuchitphutthiwong |
| Yot Phum | Sornsin Maneewan |
| Noi Intha | Noppol Pitaklopanich |
| Mani Yat | Kanyakorn Pinij |
| Ketthawa | Rungrawee Barijindakul |
| Kaeo Akat | Apasra Intalaadchoom |
| Thao Wongsa | Thapakorn Disayanon |
| Khun Wiang | Phutharit Prombandal |
| Thao Fuea Faeng | Chomvichai Meksuwan |
| Khun Saeng Mueang | Thitinant Suwannasak |
| Khun Hom Fa | Wuthinant Maikan |
| Burapha Kham | Winai Kraibutr |
| Pitula | Thongkhaw Khunsriraksa |
| Khun Saeng Ta | Thanakorn Prathumsiri |
| Mr. Hass | Peter Tuinstra |
| Ruen Kaeo | Jittima Wisutthipranee |
| King of Mueang Meed | Pongsanart Vinsiri |
| King of Tha Khoi | Nukkid Boonthong |

## Criticism, impact and ratings

Plerng Phra Nang is a remake of a 1996 drama of the same name, also produced by Kantana Group. The script was based on M.R.Kukrit Pramoj’s 1969 nonfiction book The Fall of the Burmese (พม่าเสียกรุง) and Prince Damrong Rajanubhab’s Journey Through Burma in 1936: A View of the Culture, History and Institutions (เที่ยวเมืองพม่า).
Comparisons were made between the costumes of the characters in the 2017 version and those worn by Fan Bingbing in The Empress of China. There were also complaints that some scenes were unrealistic.
Soe Win, the great-grandson of Thibaw Min, the last King of Burma, called the drama "unwatchable" and "distasteful" and asked for the series to be taken off the air. The producer, Chitralada Disayanon, argued that the plot was "“unrelated to Burma and is completely fictional, with the costumes and setting not meant to evoke any country or time period in particular”. However, the massacre of 100 royal family members is a clear reference to events in Burma in 1879. There is also a direct mapping between the members of the Burmese royal family of the time and the characters in the drama: Lady Ananthip is Hsinbyumashin, King Muangkoom is Mindon Min, Queen Pinmanee is Queen Supayalat, King Maanfah is Thibaw Min, Upparat Kanaung is Kanaung Mintha and King Burapha Kham is Tharrawaddy Min.
The rating for the finale was 9.037 and the average nationwide rating for all episodes was 6.626. Google ranked the phrase "Plerng Phra Nang" as the fourth most searched term by Thais in 2017, ranked second place in the category of television programs.

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result |
| 2017 | 3rd Maya Awards | Popular TV Drama | Plerng Phra Nang | Won |
| 2017 | 3rd Maya Awards | Popular Actress | Pachrapa Chaichua | Won |
| 2017 | 3rd Maya Awards | Popular Supporting Actress | Chiranan Manochaem | Won |
| 2017 | 3rd Maya Awards | Popular Supporting Actress | Chawallakorn Wanthanapisitkul | Nominated |
| 2017 | 3rd Maya Awards | Popular Actor | Kelly Tanapat | Nominated |
| 2017 | 3rd Maya Awards | Popular Director in a TV Drama | Teerasak Promngoen | Nominated |
| 2017 | 3rd Maya Awards | Best OST in a TV Drama | Plerng Phra Nang – Jennifer Kim | Nominated |
| 2017 | 2nd Darainside Awards | Best Actress | Chiranan Manochaem | Won |
| 2017 | 2nd Darainside Awards | Best Actor | Kelly Tanapat | Won |
| 2017 | 2nd Darainside Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Chawallakorn Wanthanapisitkul | Won |
| 2017 | 2nd Darainside Awards | Best Director in a TV Drama | Teerasak Promngoen | Won |
| 2017 | 5th Phra Phikanet Awards | Excellent Actress | Chiranan Manochaem | Won |