Sai Nam Peung

Sai Nam Peung , the third sovereign of Xiān at Ayodhya, was a commoner elevated to the throne following a brief interregnum precipitated by the death of the preceding monarch, Phra Chao Luang, who died without a male heir. Chinese historical sources record that the dynasty’s first monarch ascended the throne in 1180 CE. This chronological datum serves as a basis for retrospective calculation in determining the approximate period of reigns of the Siamese rulers belonging to early Siamese dynasty mentioned in the Ayutthaya Testimonies, extending back to the periods associated with Sai Nam Peung and his son. However, the Dong Mè Nang Mưo’ng Inscription (K. 766), dated to 1167 CE, suggests that Sri Dharmasokaraja II may have extended his authority northward as far as present-day Nakhon Sawan Province, which would imply that the Phraek Si Racha region likewise fell under his control; if this interpretation is accepted, the reigns of the Xian rulers, which included that of Sai Nam Peung and his son, in question must have ended no later than 1167 CE, rather than in 1180 CE.

Sai Nam Peung was succeeded by his son, Dhammikaraja, whose reign included the establishment of a northern frontier at Phitsanulok and the delegation of authority over Phitsanulok and Mueang Phreak to the Pra Poa Noome Thele Seri lineage. Prince Uthong II, a member of this lineage, subsequently succeeded Dhammikaraja as monarch of Ayodhya in 1205 CE.

Biography Following a brief interregnum subsequent to the death of Phra Chao Luang, who left no male heir, the royal court conferred the throne upon a commoner, who subsequently assumed the regnal title Sai Nam Peung. This narrative is also associated with the foundation of Wat Phanan Choeng. Within this alternative framework, Chodakaśreṣṭhin may plausibly correspond to Pra Poa Noome Thele Seri.

The Ayutthaya Testimonies further clarifies the position of Sai Nam Peung's dynasty. Rather than being ruling clan of Ayodhya, Sai Nam Peung and his son Dhammikarāja (also recorded in some versions as Sudhammarāja) are described as governing Phra Nakhon Sawan Buri Dhammikaraja is said to have subsequently moved north to rule at Phitsanulok, Chatchai Sukrakarn further proposes that the region subsequently came under the authority of Sri Dharmasokaraja I, whose territorial domain encompassed Lavo and extended northward to the area of present-day Nakhon Sawan Province. Lavo itself, however, appears to have been intermittently restored to Angkorian control under Sri Jayasinghavarman (Suryavarman II, r. ca. 1117–1150). Then under Sri Dharmasokaraja I's son, Sri Dharmasokaraja II; however, it has therefore been suggested that the latter monarch came under increasing political pressure from Angkor and consequently retreated southward, where they consolidated their authority at Tambralinga. This succession indicates that Mueang Phreak came under Xiān authority during the era of Sai Nam Peung. His political influence over the city is estimated to have commenced around 1135 CE, as the Ayutthaya Testimonies note that he ruled there for thirty years until his death.

According to the Northern Chronicle, the area south of Ayutthaya, corresponding to present-day Pathum Thani province, was potentially a tidal flat affected by seawater. The text recounts that Sai Nam Peung attempted to establish a new settlement in the present-day Bang Toei area of Sam Khok District, 30 kilometers south of the royal palace, but the project was abandoned due to excessively saline soils, which rendered the land unsuitable for cultivation. This initial foreign enclave was established in the vicinity of Pak Nam Mae Bia , situated approximately 500 meters south of the royal palace, and subsequently developed into a principal commercial settlement during the period of economic prosperity of the Ayutthaya Kingdom.

In 1149 CE, extant records document the arrival of Xiān maritime merchants in Đại Việt, who petitioned for authorization to conduct trade and to establish a commercial emporium at Yún tún , thereby facilitating early Sino-Siam mercantile networks.