Brothers in Arms – Part 2
Sibling rivalry in Medieval Thailand

CHIANG MAI, Thailand – 22 Mar 2003 - For centuries before the current Thailand was referred to as Siam, the region was a closely linked collection of major and minor kingdoms. At the close of the 14th century, several were consolidating their power bases and borders, whilst at the same time experiencing internal struggles and rebellions similar to those of several west European nations of the period.

Continued from last month …
Thao Yi Kum Kam, ruler of Chiang Rai and elder brother of Cao Phraya Sam Fang Kaen of Chiang Mai, had fled to Sukhothai in the early AD 1400s. Together with the northern prince’s remaining forces, Phraya Sai Lu Thai of Sukhothai raised an army with the aim of capturing Chiang Mai. Thao Yi Kum Kam’s rebellion illustrates the fickleness of allegiances – a century earlier, an undying oath of friendship had been sworn between King Mengrai of Lan Na, and King Ramkhamhaeng of Sukhothai.

Brothers in Arms – Part 1
Sibling rivalry in Medieval Thailand

CHIANG MAI, Thailand – 22 Mar 2003 - For centuries before the current Thailand was referred to as Siam, the region was a closely linked collection of major and minor kingdoms. At the close of the 14th century, several were consolidating their power bases and borders, whilst at the same time experiencing internal struggles and rebellions similar to those of several west European nations of the period.

At that time, the region that became Thailand comprised of several firmly defined major kingdoms, and several minor ones, all with tributary states and “foreign” allies or vassals. In the central region, Ayutthaya was approaching the most dynamic period of its growth and expansion, having pushed the declined Khmer Empire of Angkor Wat back into the Cambodian highlands, and kept the various Burmese kings west of the Kanchanaburi mountains. A little north, the great golden utopia of Sukhothai was beginning its decline from the glory days when its growth shadowed that of Lan Na, its own northern neighbour.

Lan Na in the Shadow of the Mongols
Satellite Towns – an old system revived

CHIANG MAI, Thailand – 11 Mar 2003 - People say that history is how we learn the future. Examining the past is how we see what to do next, claim others. Cynics state that history teaches only that humans never learn. Perhaps a little of each is true for all of us, and everyone has the opportunity to learn from everyone else, at personal, regional, and national levels. How many of us do?

On 23rd April AD 1281, marching triumphantly into Hariphunchai (Lamphun), King Mengrai entered a city-state far different from those of Chiang Rai and the Mae Kok basin. Hariphunchai was a model administration for his growing kingdom, one that he would adapt, and use. Hariphunchai was small; one central city and several satellite towns – within half a day’s march of each other, plus dozens of smaller villages. Only the latter were unfortified. The basic military advantage, of scattered strong points dependent upon and defendant of each other, is a style still used today. Yet, their placement was not only military.