Ramkhamhaeng the Great
wives, children, granaries, rice, retainers, and groves of areca and betel - is left in its entirety to his children. When commoners or men of rank differ and disagree, [the King] examines the case to get at the truth and then settles it justly for them." (in Wyatt, 1994, pp.48-58)
This form of rulership is considered to be uniquely Thai in style and Ramkhamhaeng considered to be the founder of benevolent Thai monarchy, which continues to this day.
References
Wyatt, David K. and Aroonrut Wichienkeeo, The Chiang Mai Chronicle, second edition (Chiang Mai: Silkworm Books, 1998).
Wyatt, David K., "Contextual Arguments for the Authenticity of the Ramkhamhaeng Inscription," in David K. Wyatt, Studies in Thai History (Chiang Mai: Silkworm Books, 1994), pp.48-58.
The copyright of the article Ramkhamhaeng the Great in East Asian History is owned by John Walsh. Permission to republish Ramkhamhaeng the Great in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Articles in this Topic
Discussions in this Topic
Latest Articles