Ngoenyang

Hiran Nakhon Ngoenyang (Northern Thai: ᩉᩥᩁᩢᨬ᩠ᨬᨶᨣᩬᩁᨦᩮᩥ᩠ᨶᨿᩣ᩠ᨦᨩ᩠ᨿᨦᩈᩯ᩠ᨶ; Thai: หิรัญนครเงินยาง), also known as Chayaworanakhon Chiang Lao^[1], Hiranyanakhon Ngoenyang Chiang Saen^[2], Nakhon Yangkapura^[3], or Thasai Ngoenyang^[4] was an early mueang or kingdom of the Northern Thai people from the 7th through 13th centuries AD and was originally centered on Hiran, formerly Vieng Prueksa, in modern-day Thailand near today's Mae Sai district in Chiang Rai, and later on Ngoenyang or Chiang Saen. King Mangrai, the 25th king of Ngoenyang, went on to found Lanna.^[5]

In contrast to most contemporary Tai states, Ngoenyang was mentioned in local chronicles, which provide some information about its history.

Following the decline of Yonok Nakhon Chai Buri Ratchathani Sri Chang Saen, until the late 17th Buddhist century (approximately the 12th century CE), Lawachakkarat or Lao Chok, who, according to legend, was born miraculously under a jujube tree or descended via silver and golden ladders at Doi Tung, proclaimed himself king. He established a new dynasty called the Lao Dynasty, as every king in this line bore the prefix "Lao" in their names.

A significant transformation occurred when Mangrai ascended the throne as the 25th ruler of Ngoenyang Chiang Lao in 1262. He envisioned unifying the various small principalities in the region. Upon his enthronement, he founded the city of Chiang Rai, establishing it as the new capital. This marked the end of the Lao Dynasty of Ngoenyang Chiang Lao and the beginning of the Mangrai dynasty of the Lan Na Kingdom.

Today, it is commonly believed that Ngoenyang corresponds to the city of Chiang Saen, as mentioned in the Chiang Saen Chronicle:

"At that time, the king, along with his ministers, constructed a moat 700 wa wide and 1,100 wa long along the river, building fortifications with silver platforms and betel nut trees. They called this city 'Hiran Ngoenyang Chiang Saen.' The silver platform built under the betel nut tree was transformed into a great stupa and monastery, named 'Sangka Kaew Don Than,' also known as 'Wat Sangka Kaew Ngoenyang.' The silver throne was dismantled and offered as a donation. On the 5th day of the waxing moon in the 6th month, at midday, the king entered the royal palace there, and was specially titled 'King Lao Chakkarat."

However, the Chiang Saen Chronicle (translated into Thai as the "Chronicle of Ngoenyang Chiang Saen and the Legend of Singhanavati") is the sole document equating Ngoenyang with Chiang Saen. Other sources suggest different locations: The Nan Chronicle places the city near Tha Sai. The Chiang Mai Chronicle^[6] states that Ngoenyang was near the Sai River and references Mangrai's contemplation of establishing Chiang Rai, recalling that Lao Chok built a city at the base of Doi Pha Lao, and Lao Khiang renovated Ngoenyang near the bases of Doi Tung, Doi Tha, and Doi Ya Thao. The Phayao Chronicle adds that during Lao Khiang's reign, the city's moat was expanded near the Lawaa River, renaming the new city 'Yang Sai' and the river 'Mae Sai,' suggesting that Ngoenyang was located near the Sai River (Thailand) at the base of Doi Tung, rather than at present-day Chiang Saen.

"King Lao Khiang lamented that no city had a proper wall and moat, deeming it unworthy as a capital. He decided to establish a city where his elephant's tail fell. He ordered the area leveled, elevated the lowlands, and constructed a city with a central sanctuary. The area was named 'Yang Sai,' the cave 'Kiao Cave,' and the Lawaa River was renamed 'Mae Sai,' names that persist to this day."

This aligns with archaeological research by Worasit Opap, who found that "Wiang Phang Kham", an ancient city in Mae Sai district, Chiang Rai province, had two moated areas, with the inner moat constructed later to expand the city. Located near Doi Wao, Doi Kha, and Doi Pha Lao,^[7] mountains aligned with Doi Tung, Wiang Pang Kham is likely the same as Ngoenyang, rather than Wiang Si Tuang or Wiang Phan Kham associated with Phrom as is commonly believed today.^[8]

1. Lawachakkaraj or Lao Chok
2. Lao Kao Kaeo Ma Mueang
3. Lao Sao
4. Lao Tang or Lao Phang
5. Lao Klom or Lao Luang
6. Lao Leo
7. Lao Kap
8. Lao Khim or Lao Kin
9. Lao Khiang (expanded the city of Yang Sai)
10. Lao Khiu
11. Lao Ting
12. Lao Toeng
13. Lao Ton
14. Lao Chom
15. Lao Kuak or Lao Phuak
16. Lao Kiu or Lao Kwin
17. Lao Chong (a different person from the first Lawachakkaraj or Lao Chong)
18. Chom Pha Rueang (had a younger brother named Chom Pha Rueang (or Khun Chom Tham), who founded the city of Phukam Yao (modern-day Phayao), and had a son named Phaya Chueang)
19. Lao Chueang or Phaya Chueang or Khun Chuang (a legendary warrior-king celebrated on both banks of the Mekong River. The Tai Lue, Lao of Lan Xang, and Tai Yuan of Lan Na all claim him as an ancestor. He is featured in extensive literature such as the epic poem Khong Thao Hung Thao Chueang, which spans nearly 5,000 stanzas.)
20. Lao Ngoen Rueang
21. Lao Chuen or Lao Sin
22. Lao Ming
23. Lao Mueang or Lao Moeng
24. Lao Meng
25. Mangrai the Great, 1261–1292 (The first king of Mangrai dynasty in Chiang Mai)