Map Sabai Vol. 32
In this month's feature edition of Map Sabai (Vol.32)
Cover: Elephant sculpture at the King Naresuan Shrine in Mae Suai, Chiang Rai province
Northern Attractions
Portrait: King Naresuan the Great
Wiang Haeng
Wat Fa Wiang In
Lak Taeng
Art Space
Featured Artist: Noppadon Putipin
Northern Attraction featured in Vol .32:
King Naresuan the Great
The memorial shrines in Wiang Haeng, Chiang Mai province and Mae Suai, Chiang Rai district, commemorate the bravery and achievements of King Naresuan the Great and his achievements to restore independence and dignity in the Kingdom of Ayyuthaya. Typical for the shrines at both locations are the giant elephant scultpures, symbolizing the essential role of elephants in past war times. Equally impressive and astonishing is the large number of rooster sculptures around the shrines, referring to the King’s passion for fighting cocks.
Born in 1555 to King Thammaraja, who had capitulated the Kingdom of Ayutthaya to the Burmese, then-Prince Naresuan spent most of his childhood and formative years in Burma as a royal hostage.
Having received his military education in Burma amidst his enemies, Prince Narusuan first came to fame at the young age of 16 when he managed to overthrow an uprising in a Burmese town in Shan Kingdom, thus bringing about jealousies and great rivalry from the Burmese rulers. With the trust and loyalty of his army and local towns people, he declared independence and restoration for the Kingdom of Siam in 1584 at the age of 29, moving back to Ayutthaya where his father had still been ruler.
Prince Naresuan became King in 1590 at the age of 35 upon the death of his father. Determined to drive the Burmese from the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, King Naresuan defeated them in a fierce battle at Nhong Sarai in Supanburi on January 25. It was during this battle that King Naresuan faced the Crown Prince of Burma, killing him with his fighting lance from the back of his war elephant. January 25 is ever since celebrated as Thailand’s National Armed Forces day.
In 1605 King Naresuan and his younger brother, PriàEgatosrost, aimed at Ava, which had annexed two of Ayutthaya’s Shan Protectorates. They led their troops from Ayutthaya through Chiangmai, before separating ways, with Egastosrost proceeding North to Faang and King Naresuan taking the route West toward Hang – present-day ‘Wiang Haeng’. It was in Wiang Haeng that King Naresuan fell sick and eventually died from blood-poisoning on 15 May 1605, at age 50. King Naresuan’s coffin was taken back to Ayutthya by his brother.
Photo Impressions of King Naresuan Memorial Shrines
Monstruous elephant sculpture at Memorial Shrine in Mae Suai, Chiang Rai province
King Naresuan Memorial Shrine in Wiang Haeng, Chiang Mai province
Giant rooster sculpture with Memorial Shrine in background, Wiang Haeng
Wiang Haeng
Wiang Haeng is the name of a little-known town and district in the North-Western part of Chiang Dao National Park, bordering Myanmar. The area is home to a population of several hill tribes, Tai-Yai and Haw peoples, who are mostly engaged in farming and still follow their traditional lifestyles. Situated in a wide and elevated valley in between rolling mountains, the area enjoys cool climate throughout much of the year, and is well-known for its misty morning hours lending the town its lazy and romantic touch.
The town can be reached via a winding road through forests and mountains, passing several villages and providing stunning view points on the way.
Wat Fa Wiang In
Wat Fa Wiang In is a Shan-style temple located in Lak Taeng in Wiang Haeng district, Chiang Mai province, right on the Thai-Burmese border. It is believed to have been built by King Naresuan himself, whose statue is situated right next to the chedi. The temple was restored in the late 60s by the Shan United Revolutionary Army and later devided in two parts, with the golden pagoda on the Thai side and the red chapel on the Burmese side.
Lae Taeng
Wat Fa Wiang In is a Shan-style temple located in Lak Taeng in Wiang Haeng district, Chiang Mai province, right on the Thai-Burmese border. It is believed to have been built by King Naresuan himself, whose statue is situated right next to the chedi. The temple was restored in the late 60s by the Shan United Revolutionary Army and later devided in two parts, with the golden pagoda on the Thai side and the red chapel on the Burmese side.
Photo impressions of Wat Fa Wiang In in Lak Taeng
Golden Chedi on the Thai side of Wat Fa Wiang In, Lak Taeng
Inside the chedi
