Distributor Sahamongkol Film said the first in the Naresuan trilogy broke the previous record held by action film "Tom Yum Goong", which starred Phanom "Tony Jaa" Yerum and took in Bt90 million in four days.

MC Chatrichalerm Yukol's historical epic is expected to follow the success of his 2001 "Suriyothai". That film remains the country's No-1 all time best-seller, with revenues of about Bt400 million.

At the time, "Suriyothai" set a new record of Bt75 million for its first four days.

An industry source said the first of the Naresuan trilogy could have dragged in even more if producers had printed extra copies.

Another factor against the film is its three-hour running time - limiting the number of sessions a cinema can screen.

"Only a quarter of the planned 260 copies were available during the first three days, and all prints were finished on Sunday only," said Sahamongkol distribution executive Chomsajee Techaratanaprasert.

The second episode will premiere on February 15, with the final one scheduled for December 5.

It is Thailand's most expensive film production to date, costing Bt700 million for all three.

Distributors of Hollywood films have avoided competing with the local epic. Golden Globe winner "Babel" and "The Queen" will be released on February 22 and March 8.

The second Naresuan will have to compete with the films "Charlotte's Web"; "The Queen"; and "I'm Cyborg but That's Okay", with South Korean heart-throb Rain in his acting debut.