CHIANG CHUEN: THE SIGNIFICANCE ON KING BOROMMATRAILOKKANAT’S HEROIC ACT IN YUAN PHAI KHLONG DAN

Abstract

This article aims to study the importance of Chiang Chuen Town in Yuan Phai Khlong Dan to King Borommatrailokkanat’s heroic act. The study found that Chiang Chuen or Chaliang was a major city in parallel with Sukhothai Town during the glorious period of Sukhothai Kingdom. In Ayutthaya Era, Chiang Chuen belonged to the Kingdom until Phraya Chaliang disobeyed and turned to Lanna. Generally, the mentioned of Chiang Chuen in historic documents of both Ayutthaya and Lanna does not go deep into details. However, in Yuan Phai Khlong Dan, Chiang Chuen was used as major scene that harmoniously linked to other scenes in the story that contributed to realistic storytelling. Furthermore, the town was significantly described with realistic story and elaborated details such as with the story of Muen Dongnakhorn, Nang Muang and the detailed description of the town. Chiang Chuen, therefore, became a righteous scene for King Borommatrailokkanat’s bravery in Yuan Phai Khlong Dan and the most prominent image of him in the story was that of a decent warrior king.