On 28 October 1546, Taungoo naval and land forces began the campaign. The Taungoo high command, including Tabinshwehti, traveled by sea. The Mrauk U navy, waiting around Cape Negrais, initially thought about engaging Taungoo vanguard squadrons but decided against it when they saw the size of the invasion fleet. The fleet sailed up the Arakan coast unopposed, and dropped off troops south of Thandwe. They joined up with the army that had just crossed over the Arakan Mountains. Bayinnaung now assumed command of the combined armies. Then Taungoo land and naval forces converged on Thandwe. The Mrauk U navy defended the port but was defeated by sheer numbers. Mrauk U land forces evacuated Thandwe. Tabinshwehti appointed Min Aung Hla as the viceroy of Thandwe, and left Nanda Kyawhtin, Governor of Thanlyin, in charge of the city's defenses.