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The International Journal of the Royal Society of Thailand

Volume XVI-2024 (Special Issue)

Crisis has often brought forth heroic kings in our history. During the seven months of

Burmese control in 1767, Thonburi rose as the new capital, replacing Ayutthaya, and 15 years later,
Krung Rattanakosin was established. This was a major crisis, but our great kings guided the nation

through these difficult times. According to professor Srisakra Ballibhotama “Siam Desa” refers
to the early settlement of small states inhabited by Thai, Tai and Lao people, located in the

Chao Phraya river basin over 1000 years ago. The northernmost settlement was Sukhothai,
Si Satchanalai, and Uttaradit. The southernmost was Phetchaburi, the easternmost was Chonburi,

Rayong and Nakhon Nayok. The farthest to the northeast was Khorat. The leaders of these
small states were sometimes called “Phaya,” meaning king in Mon language, though they were

ultimately under the rule of the true kings of Lua, Mon, or Khmer. Approximately 700 years ago,
these small states expanded as the Mongol invaded Southeast Asia.

While there are no records of Mongol invasions in Thai history, Chinese records provide
significant details about their campaigns in Bagan (Myanmar), Annam (Vietnam), and Java

(Indonesia). The Mongols also attempted to invade the northern part of Thailand, including
Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. During this time, before the formation of the Lanna Kingdom,

this region was referred to as “Babai Xifu” in Chinese accounts from the Yuan Dynasty, meaning
“the kingdom with 800 concubines” during the reign of King Mangrai, the first king of Lanna.

The Mongols tried to conquer Babai Xifu between 1290 and 1300, after having expanded their
empire across Russia, eastern and southern Europe, the Middle East, and nearly all of Asia.

However, King Mangrai successfully resisted the Mongol invasion.
King Mangrai’s strategy was highly effective. Notably, he avoided establishing a permanent

that could be seized by the Mongols. Additionally, elephants proved to be more powerful
and effective in battle than horses, and local diseases like malaria weakened Mongol forces.

King Mangrai also had strong alliances with King Ramkhamhaeng of Sukhothai and King Ngam
Mueang of Phayao, further strengthening his position.

Thanks to these kings ability to resist the Mongols, the central and south parts of the region
remained safe, allowing small states to grow and eventually merge into a unified nation–state

over the past 700 years. These states share rich, cultural ties, including languages, and scripts
similar to those use in South India, Mon, Burma, Khmer, and other regions.

Around 600 years ago, the Kings of Sukhothai and Suphan collaborated to establish the
capital of Ayutthaya on the site of the existing settlement of Ayothaya Si Ram Thep Nakhon,

which was contemporary with Sukhothai. The city was renamed Krung Thep Thawarawadi
Si Ayutthaya or Si Ayutthaya in short, in 1350 by King Ramathibodi I, also known as King U–thong.

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