Far East Kingdoms

Chiang Saen (Thais)
c.AD 1327 / 1329 - 1805

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Modern Thailand occupies much of the Indochinese peninsula in South-East Asia. It is bordered by Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Burma. From the twelfth century onwards Thais expanded outwards, predominantly southwards into the Malay-Thai peninsula. State-building swiftly followed in Early Thailand to create a patchwork of kingdoms and minor principalities.

Chiang Saen or Chiangsaen was located in what is now northern Thailand. The principality was centred on the city of the same name and was situated within the vicinity of an older Lao principality named Ngoenyang, the state which preceded the founding of Lan Na.

The history and prehistory of Chiang Saen are poorly understood. Stone tools and potsherds which have been found in the area indicate that local human habitation is likely to have been part of the Hoabinhian tradition. Legends and dynastic chronicles point to the later settling here of groups between the ninth and thirteenth centuries AD, but such early settlements are not currently supported by archaeological evidence.

Stories relate the arrival of a group which was led by a ruler named Singhanawat, somewhere in southern China or northern Thailand. Perhaps around AD 700 they founded an early Thai state which was known as Yonoknapan. That early medieval state was eventually abandoned, however, following a major Shan attack.

According to the Chiang Saen Chronicle, Chiang Saen was founded in the same region about 1327or 1329 by Saen Phu of Lan Na, who made it his new capital and moved his court there from Chiang Rāi. It became a large commercial centre which thrived on the salt and rice trades. The rulers usually were sent out by Lan Na's royal court at Chiang Mai.

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(Information by John De Cleene and the John De Cleene Archive, with additional information from The Indianized States of Southeast Asia, G Coedès (Walter F Vella, ed, Susan Brown Cowing, trans, University Press of Hawaii, 1968), and from External Links: Ayutthaya Historical Research, and Chiangsaen National Museum, and Cultural Resource Management and Archaeology at Chiang Saen, Northern Thailand, Sawang Lertrit (Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, March 2000, available via JSTOR), and On the History of Chiang Rai, Hans Penth (Siam Society, PDF) and Thailand (World Statesmen), and The Indianized States of Southeast Asia, George Coedès (Walter F Vella (Ed), Susan Brown Cowing (Trans), University of Hawaii Press, 1968, and available online via the Internet Archive).)

1327 / 1329

Saen Phu of Lan Na founds the city and principality of Chiang Saen in the ancient territory of the Yonoknapan state, making it his new capital and moving his court there from Chiang Rāi. The city is within the vicinity of Ngoenyang (Ngōn Yāng), the Lao state which had preceded Lan Na.

fl 1388

Governed Chiang Sae. Started a conflict.

1388

When Prince Phrom of Chiang Saen occupies Kamphaeng Phet, Borommaracha of Ayyuthaya accompanies an army which reoccupies the city. Borommaracha dies on his way back home and is succeeded by Thong Chan (Thong Lan). The once-abdicated Ramesuan retakes the throne from his base at Lopburi and Thong Chan is executed. The Ming endorse his return.

Mengrai, in the centre, was the founder of the kingdom of Lan Na at Chiang Mai in 1259, a late medieval rival to Sukhothai in what is now Thailand

1558

The Burmese gain control over Lan Na. Chiang Rāi probably becomes insignificant, as historical sources rarely mention it. The Burmese of Toungoo will generally retain control until 1804, preferring Chiang Saen over Chiang Rāi dueto its strategic military importance.

The important city states of Lan Na are each governed by a ruling prince - usually a local - who retains nominal authority. Beneath him are two officials, the resident and the military commander, both of whom are Burmese and both of whom wield the true power.

1590 - 1605

During the reign of Naresuan of Ayyuthaya the Thais capture Chiang Saen from the Burmese. Naresuan appoints Ramdecho to govern the city but, after less than twenty years, the Burmese regain control.

Ayutthaya took on influences from many external players, including Sukhothai and the Khmer, as well as China, Japan and - later - several European countries, with that influence being seen in Wat Chaiwatthanaram

fl c.1600

Appointed by Naresuan of Ayyuthaya.

1632 - 1650

Local ruler.

1666 - 1709

Local ruler.

? - 1724

Ruling prince. Died in office.

1711/14 - 1740

Burmese resident. Senior ruling prince of Chiang Rāi.

1711/14 - 1740

Mang Phara Saphāk, the Burmese senior ruling prince of Chiang Rāi, is appointed resident of Chiang Saen, one of the city's true holders of power. Mang Phara Saphāk is a competent, generous, and powerful Burmese authority figure who is considerate of the desires and needs of the local population.

1715 / 1716

A variety of other Lan Na city-states are placed under the authority of Mang Phara Saphāk in his capacity as resident of Chiang Saen.

The moat and city wall of Chiang Saen is shown here where it protected the city on its northern, western, and southern sides while, to the east, the Reiver Mekong shielded it and earthen walls beneath the later brick have revealed that there was a settlement on the site before the city was founded, potentially the core of Yonoknapan

1727 - 1728

Chiang Mai revolts against Burmese rule. It sends military forces against Chiang Saen, but the Burmese manage to escape. Many residents side with their Burmese authority figure, Mang Phara Saphāk.

1724 - 1728/29

Son. Ruling prince. Died aged 25.

1728

With the ending in 1728 of the local Chiang Mai revolt which has helped to free Lan Na, Mang Phara Saphāk's authority is restored and expanded to include more city states.

1730/31 - ?

Burmese resident.

in 1786 / 1787

Burmese resident. Captured & delivered to Bangkok.

? - 1802

Burmese resident.

1802 - 1805

Burmese resident. Fled.

1804 - 1805

The combined armies of Lan Na, Lampang, Vientiane, Nan, and Siam capture Chiang Saen, demolish its fortifications, and burn the city. The captured population is divided amongst the conquering armies and Burmese overlordship in Chiang Saen comes to an end.

The state of Muang Pua was re-established and moved to Nan in the mid-fourteenth century when a group of small muang united to form the state of Nan, or Nanthaburi

In the following year the former principality is merged into the kingdom of Lan Na, which by now is an entity with the kingdom of Siam. The Siamese scatter the city's twenty-three thousand families amongst other cities, and the city remains uninhabited for a number of years before being revived as part of the modern Thailand state.