King Chakrap'at consulted his advisers.
Some held that it was better to surrender a couple of white elephants than to plunge
the country into war ; others, headed by
Prince Ramesuen, advised the King that it would dis- grace him
in the eyes of the whole world if he were to submit tamely
to so unreasonable a request ; moreover,
they argued, submission would only encourage the King of Burma
to put forward still more outrageous demands.
In the end, an unfavourable reply was sent to Bhureng
Noung, who thereupon at once declared war.