Sukhothai Kingdom
Thailand, 1238–1438. Draft, not yet reviewed
The Sukhothai Kingdom was a Siamese kingdom centred on the ancient city of Sukhothai in present-day north-central Thailand. The events of 1238, which brought Si Inthrathit to power, are traditionally taken as the kingdom's formation, though how they should be read is disputed. Sukhothai remained a separate polity until 1438, when it passed under Ayutthaya after the death of Borommapan.
Seat of power: Sukhothai Historical Park
Rulers
Sri Indraditya
King of Thailand, 1238–1257
He was the first king of the Sukhothai Kingdom. He is credited as the founder of the Phra Ruang dynasty, regarded as the first historical Siamese dynasty.
Portrait of Sri Indraditya: th:ผู้ใช้:Omogoki, Public domain, file
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Ram Khamhaeng
King of Thailand, 1257–1298
He was the third king of the Phra Ruang dynasty, ruling the Sukhothai Kingdom during its most prosperous era. He is credited with the creation of the Thai alphabet and with firmly establishing Theravada Buddhism as the state religion of the kingdom.
Portrait of Ram Khamhaeng: This Photo was taken by Supanut Arunoprayote. Feel free to use any of my images, but please mention me as the author ..., CC BY 4.0, file
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Ban Mueang
King of Thailand, 1257–1279
He was the second son of King Si Inthrathit of Sukhothai. He succeeded his father to the throne in an unknown year and reigned until his death.
Portrait of Ban Mueang: Ananda, Public domain, file
Loe Thai
King of Thailand, 1298–1323
He was the fourth king of the Sukhothai Kingdom. After the death of Ram Khamhaeng, the Sukhothai tributaries broke away. In 1319, the Hanthawaddy kingdom to the west broke away.
Nguanamthom
King of Thailand, 1323–1347
He was a king of Sukhothai from the House of Phra Ruang. He followed Loe Thai on the throne and was succeeded by Mahathammaracha I.
Mahathammaracha I
King of Thailand, 1347–1368
He was the first Buddhist philosopher to write in the Thai language. He is known chiefly for his patronage of Theravada Buddhism. In 1363 he moved his residence to Phitsanulok, where he stayed for the rest of his reign.
Portrait of Mahathammaracha I: พระราชวชิรเมธี รองเจ้าคณะจังหวัดกำแพงเพชร เจ้าอาวาสวัดพระบรมธาตุนครชุม, CC BY-SA 4.0, file
Luethai
King of Thailand, 1368–1399
He succeeded his father and carried the style Maha Thammaracha that his father had taken. In 1378 he submitted to Borommarachathirat I of Ayutthaya.
Sai Luthai / Maha Thammaracha III
King of Thailand, 1399–1419
He was the son of Maha Thammaracha II and a great-great grandson of King Ram Khamhaeng the Great. Much of what is known about him comes from stone inscriptions written by his mother in his name.
Borommapan / Maha Thammaracha IV
King of Thailand, 1419–1438
He was the last king of the Sukhothai Kingdom. After his death in 1438, King Borommaracha II of Ayutthaya installed his son as viceroy of Sukhothai.
Culture
- Ram Khamhaeng also began relations with Yuan China, through which the kingdom developed the techniques to produce and export ceramics such as sangkhalok ware.
- Some historians credit Ram Khamhaeng the Great with introducing Theravada Buddhism and the initial Thai script.
- Inside the city walls there are the remains of the royal palace and twenty-six temples, the largest being Wat Mahathat.
Picture
The park covers the ruins of Sukhothai, capital of the Sukhothai Kingdom in the 13th and 14th centuries.
Image: Khunkay, CC BY-SA 4.0, file
Sources
Text adapted from the Wikipedia articles listed as sources, CC BY-SA 4.0.