Pha Mueang

Pha Mueang (full name Pho Khun Pha Mueang, Thai: พ่อขุน ผา เมือง; late 13th century – mid 14th century) was a Thai nobleman and general who was the Lord of Rad and played a significant role in the founding of the Sukhothai Kingdom.

Origin
Pha Mueang is said to be a descendant of Nam Tham, a hero whose name is mentioned in the legends of many Tai peoples. Pha Mueang's ultimate origin is described by his grandfather in the so-called "Inscription II" : he is the ruler of a city-state called Mueang Rat (เจ้า เมือง ราด). The location of Mueang Rat is disputed. Many believe that it could be found in the valley of the Pasak. Therefore, the inhabitants of the Phetchabun district Lom Sak built a large statue of Pha Mueang (อนุสาวรีย์ พ่อขุน ผา เมือง). The historian Alexander Brown Griswold, however, is of the opinion that Mueang Rat must have been located in the valley of the Nan River near Uttaradit due to geographical characteristics.

The "God of Sri Mueang Sodharapura" (God: ผีฟ้า, corresponding to Skt Deva raja), the king of Angkor, bestowed the titles of "Sri Indraditya" together with the "sword of victory" (Phrasaeng Chaisri, พระแสง ชัยศรี) upon Pha Mueang and he additionally received the Khmer title "Kamrateng At Pha Mueang". At the same time he was given Nang Sikhara Mahadevi, a "daughter" of the king. An "oath of loyalty" to Angkor was probably demanded as well.

Bang Klang Thao
Little is known of the history of Bang Klang Thao (full name: Pho Khun Bang Klang Thao, also: Pho Khun Bang Thao Hao, พ่อขุน บาง กลางหาว). He was a friend and ally of Pha Mueang. Bang Klang Thao was ruler of the city-state Mueang Bang Yang (เจ้า เมือง บาง ยาง), its location also unknown. Griswold suspected it was located somewhere between Mueang Rat and Mueang Si Satchanalai, possibly even at today's Ban Yang, which is situated about seven kilometres south of New Sukhothai.

Liberation from the Khmer rule
After Jayavarman VII died in 1220, the power of Angkor dwindled in the northwestern regions. The commander Khom Samat Klon Lamphong (ขอมสมาดโขลญลำพง) held an outpost of the Khmer Empire in Sukhothai.

In "Inscription II" it is described that at some point, probably around 1238–1240, Pha Mueang marched his army united with Bang Klang Thao towards Sukhothai. In the ensuing battle at the gates of the city, Bang Klang Thao fought against Klon Lamphong, both from the back of their war elephants: "The bold Klon Lamphong was completely defeated".

After the defeat of the Khmer troops, Pha Mueang entrusted the government of Sukhothai to Bang Klang Thao. He then retired with his men in Sukhothai. A little later Bang Klang Thao was ordained by Pha Mueang as "Chao Mueang Sukhothai" (ruler of Sukhothai, เจ้า เมือง สุโขทัย). Here Pha Mueang transferred his title "Sri Indraditya" to his comrades in arms. The new king of Sukhothai also received the "sword of victory" as a sign of his success and Palladium as the New Kingdom. Sri Indraditya is now regarded as the founder of the Phra Ruang Dynasty, the Kingdom of Sukhothai.