Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
south to Chiang Mai (meaning 'new city') in 1292 to establish his capital. The king was a
skilled diplomat and forged important alliances with potential rivals, notably King Ngam
Muang of Phayao and King Ramkhamhaeng of Sukhothai; a bronze statue commemorat-
ing this confederation stands in Chiang Mai today. King Mengrai is also credited for suc-
cessfully repulsing Mongol invasions in the early 14th century and building diplomatic
ties in lieu of future attacks.
The Lanna kingdom is also recognised for its royal patronage of the Sinhalese tradition
of Theravada Buddhism, now widely practised in Thailand, and of the distinctive north-
ern Thai culture that persists in the region. The Lanna kingdom never went through an
extensive expansion period as it was plagued by dynastic intrigues and wars, especially
against Sukhothai and Ayuthaya.
Thailand has had 17 constitutions, all rewritten as a result of 18 (this number is debatable) coups. Each
reincarnation seeks to allocate power within the branches of government with a bias for the ruling in-
terest (military, royalist or civilian) and against their political foes.
Sukhothai
During the 13th century, several principalities in the central plains united and wrested
control from the dying Khmer empire, making their new capital at Sukhothai (meaning
'Rising of Happiness'). Thais consider Sukhothai the first true Thai kingdom and the
period is recognised as an artistic and cultural awakening.
The most revered of the Sukhothai kings was Ramkhamhaeng, who is credited for de-
veloping the modern Thai writing system, which is based on Indian, Mon and Khmer
scripts. He also established Theravada Buddhism as the official religion.
In its prime, the Sukhothai kingdom extended as far as Nakhon Si Thammarat in the
south, to the upper Mekong River Valley in Laos and to Bago (Pegu) in southern Myan-
mar. For a short time (1448-86) the Sukhothai capital was moved to Phitsanulok, but by
that time another star was rising in Thailand, the kingdom of Ayuthaya.
Ayuthaya
In the mid-14th century, the Ayuthaya kingdom began to dominate the Chao Phraya
River basin during the twilight of the Khmer period. It survived for 416 years, defining
itself as Siam's most important early kingdom. It had an expansive sphere of influence
(including much of the former Khmer empire) and played a fundamental role in organ-
ising the modern Thai state and social structure.
