Singhanavati

The ancient Lanna society of the northern Thailand is considered more progressive than societies in other regions of the same period in that the Lanna people recorded their history and social development. Records concerning cities in the Chiangmai and Chiangrai Basin have proved well-grounded. A large number of stone tools were excavated in this area. That there were settlements in this region is supported by Thai north chronicle and the record of Yonok-nagabundhu, which is about people migrating to settle in this region.

Location of Sinhanavati Kingdom

Sinhanavati Kingdom was seated on the river named Kok, which descends from the mountain in Fang District (Chiangmai), and runs into the Kong River at the east of Chiangsaen District (Chiangrai, shown as No.8 on the map), from which the city itself was about 3 km. distant. This city submerged below Chiangsaen Lake due to an earthquake.

The city is located in Chiangrai Basin, northern Thailand where archaeological evidence such as ancient community sites, religious sanctuaries, and artifacts has been found. The ruins of fifteen ancient cities have been found in various parts of Chiangrai.

Kururath-Indrapath Kingdom

The Golden Triangle in Amphoe Chiangsaen, Chiangrai

Due to a disaster, Samantaraja of Pataliputra obliged all his people to follow him to the region of Bodhisaanluang. He built the city of Indrapath which he surrounded with a stone wall. His daughter married Kuruvamsa, the grandson of Samantaraja’s minister, who built the nearby city of Kururath.

When the king of Bodhisaanluang learned of the new settlements in his territory, he declared the war against them, but eventually he was defeated.

Kuruvamsa began to reign and promoted both cities, Kururath–Indrapath as the capital of the new kingdom. Three other kings succeeded him: Sirivamsa, Indravamsa, and Indrapathom.

Kok River in Amphoe Mae Ai, Chiangmai

Umongasela city

The royal counselor of King Indrapathom, Aya-Uparaja, who was also the king’s uncle and father-in-law, had resigned from his position. King Indrapathom assigned Bahira-Brahmin to be his new royal counselor.

Afterword Bahira-Brahmin was dishonest, and so was banished from the capital. He then went to ask for help from Suvarnamugadavaan of Suvarnagomgum City, who let him come to build the new city at the source of Kok River named the city of Umongasela.

Suvarnagomgum city

Aya-Uparaja resigned and came to the new city which Bahira-Brahmin had built. This city is at a distance of a 3-month journey along Kong River from Bodhisaanluang City. The next ruler, Suvarnamugadavaan, the 7th grandson of Ayauparaja, was assigned by King Indrapathom to rule this city. Later he renamed the city Suvarnagomgum.

Later still this city was ruled by Kom-dum, the Khmer ruler who was corrupt, and therefore was resisted by the local people. And due to a flood, Suvarnagomgum submerged in the Kok River, where now it is known as Wieng-Prueksha. The survivors evacuated to Umongasela City and this district has been abandoned since then.

Singhanavati kingdom

Around 757 AD, Khun Saiphong, one of the sons of Khun Borom of Tai-desa, obliged his people to follow him from northern Myanmar across the Salawin River to this region. The word “Khun” in his name suggests his status as leader of the group. After his period of rule ended, there was no successor. Therefore his uncle, Sinhanavati came in 773 AD and built the city named Nagabundhu-Singhanavatinagorn, due to the support given him by the Naga. The new city was located near to the submerged Suvarnagomgum City, and forty-five other kings succeeded him.

Singhanavati Kingdom subjugated Umongasela City, which was then ruled by the Khmer, and other nearby states to extend its territory. Sometimes it was defeated, for example in the reign of Pra-ong Pung the royal seat was removed to the nearby city of Paan-gum, a city seated on Sai River (Chiangrai northernmost district), but it always eventually restored its independence.

The last king of Singhanavati Kingdom was named Phramahajaijana. In his reign Singhanavatinagorn submerged in the Chiangsaen Lake due to the earthquake.

The survivors went east to inhabit Wieng–Prueksha led by Khun Lung. For 93 years they selected their ruler from among the leaders of their 14 villages to rule the region. After this period, the record mentions the development of high land communities, led by Lavachakaraj, which later were the beginning of the Lanna Kingdom and continued through the founding of Chiangmai City at the end of 13th century.

M. de la Loubere’s record

M. de la Loubere’s record 1693

References to M. de la Loubere’s record, the first King was named Pathomsuriyadhep (Singhanavati). The chief place where he kept his Court was called Jayaprakaan Mahanagorn (Nagabundhu-Singhanavatinagorn, Chiangrai Province), and he began to reign An. 1300. Ten other kings succeeded him the last of whom, named Dipayasoondorndhep, removed his royal seat to the city of Dhatu Nagornluang (Nan) which he had built, the situation of which is also unknown to me. The 22nd king after him, whose name was Boromjayasiri, obliged all his people in 1188 AD to follow him to Nakhon Thai (Pitshanulok). But this Prince did not always reside at Nakhon Thai, for he came, built, and inhabited the city of Pipeli (Petchaburi). Four other kings succeeded him; of which Ramadhiboti, the last of the four, began to build the city of Thailand (Ayudhya) in 1351 AD, and there established his Court.