Power and Legitimacy of the Kingship in the Chronicle of Tai Peoples in Upper Suvarnabhumi

Abstract

The ethnic Tai Chronicles of the kingdom’s establishment have great significance, for it they are the oldest record available that describes the origins of the people and the history of the State/kingdom. The objective of this paper is to study the Tai chronicle record to see how it relates to the power and rights of the monarchy in administration of the state/kingdom of the Tai people in upper Suvarnabhumi. Results of the study suggest that the chronicle structure is largely formed of two main components: the mythological aspects of the origin of the first king of the lineage, especially regarding ancient popular beliefs concerning his descent from heavenly realms and his status as a descendant from four heavenly beings: Phaya Thaen (พญาแถน), Phii Thaen (ผีแถน), Khun Phii Fah (ขุนผีฟ้า) and Khun Saang (ขุนสาง). The second part refers to state/kingdom establishment and construction of royal residences and city-based principalities, the continuation of power through legitimacy of Kings, and the extension of power through use of bloodline. This historical legend shows how kingdoms were established in upper Suvarnabhumi and therefore is of great relevance to understanding Tai state formation, the application of power in administration, and the legitimacy of monarchs or lords to exercise power over the common people.