In 1833, during the reign of King Rama III, after a chaos had broken out in Khmer and Vietnam, the King appointed Chao Phraya Bodindecha as the commander of an army unit to end the chaos and Chao Phraya Phra Khlang, who oversaw the treasury of the Kingdom, as the Naval commander to lead a flotilla to fight with Vietnam. At that time, the people living at Trat were being conscripted into the army, as stated in the Royal Chronicles that:

         A rebel group in Khmer had brought several armed raiders to shoot at the sailor carrying food rations. Phraya Phra Khlang, therefore, directed Phra Palad Mueng Trat, the deputy governor of Trat town, to lead some of his men to defeat the raiders and bring the rations back, and the deputy governor ordered Muen Sitthi Songkram, an officer attached to the post at Trat, to lead another unit of troops westward, following that of Phra Palad 

         Muang Trat. Phra Palad Muang Trat’s unit had been continue marching before it reached a river at twilight. While encamping there, the unit was ambushed by a group of Khmer armed raiders. In the morning, while Phra Palad Muang Trat was leading the unit, it was ambushed again by the Khmer armed raiders, killing a great number of Siamese troops. Coincidentally marching past the scene, Mueen Sitthi Songkram’s unit helped their comrades fight with the enemies. Moreover, Mueen Sitthi Songkram showed his courage at many battles in which he was given the orders to join and was rewarded for his good deeds.

          After Phraya Phra Klang informed Phraya Bodindecha of Mueen Sitthi Songkram’s bravery, Phraya Bodindecha directed that Phraya Phra Kang should appoint Mueen Sitthi Songkram as Phra Palad Mueng Trat. It was assumed that Mueen Kong Sitthi Songkram would be “Muen Khong”, a man who lived at Tha Gum Subdistrict and originated the surname Kumpha. The assumption was supported with the ancient sword of Mueen Khong, which are kept at Nern Soong temple. Therefore, it can be acknowledged that people in Trat participated in wars across several eras, starting from the assistance services given to King Taksin the great to the Annam-Siam Yuth in Rattanakosin era, which was joined by Mueen Sitthi Songkram, a brave and loyal man from Trat.

........................................

¹Apilak Kasempolkul, (2010). The historical research project to commemorate the late Kings “Observing his paths at Koh Chang, Trat Province, 2nd publication, Bangkok: Sahathammik publishing,. p.38)