Far East Kingdoms

Phrae (Thais)
AD 1371 - 1902

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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.

Phrae was one of those minor Thai principalities, located in what is now northern-central Thailand. The state's principal city of the same name was founded in AD 1371 on the River Yom under Khmer overlordship during the Sukhothai period of Thai history. The city was initially known as Pol Nakhorn or Phon Nakchon. Only later did it become better known as Wiang Ko Sai (meaning 'silk cloth'), before finally being known as Phrae.

The principality came under Lan Na's overlordship from 1443, until 1558 when it fell to the Burmese. There it remained until the Thais of Thonburi brought it into their orbit. Siam incorporated Phrae into its growing territories in 1892 and, even though it was now merged into the administrative district of Monthon Phayap, the royal line continued until 1902 at which time it was abolished. The capital had a population of about forty thousand in the year 2000.

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(Information by John De Cleene and the John De Cleene Archive, from A History of Thailand, Chris Baker & Pasuk Phongpaichit (2005), from Southeast Asia: A Historical Encyclopaedia, from Angkor Wat to East Timor, Keat Gin Ooi (ABC-Clio, 2004), from Early Mainland Southeast Asia, C Higham (River Books Co, 2014), from Encyclopaedia of Ancient Asian Civilizations, Charles F W Higham (Facts on File, 2004), from Historical Atlas of the World, R R Palmer (Ed, Chicago, 1963), and from External Links: Ayutthaya Historical Research, and Forced Resettlement Campaigns in Northern Thailand During the Early Bangkok Period, Volker Grabowsky (Oriens Extremus, 1994, available via JSTOR), 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), and The Nan Chronicle, David K Wyatt Trans, (SEAP Publications, 1994, available via documen.pub), and Phrai (Encyclopaedia Britannica), and Siam Rat Blog, and Thailand (World Statesmen), and Phrae (Phrae.go.th, available via the Internet Archive).)

1371

The weakening Khmer are controlled by Lan Na. As a result they lose much of their power for the next century while they are embroiled in conflicts with the Thai.

Splinter states and barely subservient smaller states begin to emerge, such as at Phrae. Its principal city is founded along the River Yom while Sukhothai and Lan Na contest for regional superiority.

1371 - ?

Founder of Pol Nakorn (later the town of Phrae).

? - 1397

Also ruled Nan for 6 months. Died from disease.

fl 1397 - 1398

Brother & joint ruler. Also ruled Nan. Defeated & exiled.

1397

The rulers of Phrae conquer Nan and execute its ruler, Chao Si Kanta. His younger brother Chao Hung escapes to Sukhothai, but subsequent details seem to be unrecorded.

The 'Emperor's Cave' (Tham Chakapat) is a Siamese-era temple cave which is located on top of a sandstone mountain, tucked away in the rolling hills of Phrae

1443 - 1558

Phrae is under the overlordship of Lan Na between 1443-1558 when it loses control to the Burmese following their conquest of its capital at Chiang Mai. Lan Na itself is now subordinate to Toungoo and its successor state, Ava.

Within the later part of that period, having been installed three years earlier as ruler of Nan, Mūn Sam Lan in 1510 or 1511 is transferred to rule over Fang. Sòi is transferred from Phrae after Ayutthaya invades that small vassal state to replace him in Nan. Three years after this reshuffle, Sòi will be transferred to Lampang and further minor administrative reshuffles will follow.

1768

Phrae falls under the overlordship of the kingdom of Thonburi in 1768. This splinter state is the strongest of the fractured Thai states, being led by General Phaya Taksin following the destruction of power in Ayutthaya.

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

bef 1766 - 1787

Prince of Phrae. Died 1805.

1786 - 1787

Prompted by Kawila, ruler of Lan Na, the states around Lampang rebel against Burmese rule. After the rebellion fails the rulers of Nan and Phrae accept Siamese protection after their succession as the principal Thai kingdom.

1787 - bef 1805

Prince of Phrae.

bef 1805 - 1816

Prince of Phrae. Died.

1816 - 1847

Prince of Phrae. Died.

1847 - 1886

Prince of Phrae. Died.

1886 - 1902

Viceroy (1878-1890), then prince. Died 1912.

1892 - 1926

Siam fully incorporates Phrae into its administrative system, as part of the Monthon Phayap province. Phrae's royal title is abolished in 1902, the same year in which the principality is the centre of a serious rebellion against Siamese rule.

This photo shows a floating dock on the River Chao Phraya in Thailand's Bangkok around 1900, over a century after the city's founding by King Rama I

Shan immigrants from upper Burma who are British subjects have come to participate in the teak trade. They resist the heavy taxation which is imposed by the central government. Following some initial rebel success, the revolt is suppressed by the troops of Chulalongkorn (Rama V).

The former principality is absorbed into Siam's governing structure. It becomes part of Monthon Maharat in 1916. That administrative division is merged back into Monthon Phayap in 1926.