พัฒนาการทางประวัติศาสตร์และตัวตนของเมืองแพร่

Abstract

The history of Mueang Phrae is still ambiguous due to the lack of the evidence and continuous records. For this reason, the written history of Mueang Phrae is based on the belief without concrete evidence. Mueang Phrae appeared in the folk legend of Mueang Payao for the first time in the early ๑๗th of Buddhist century as an independent state known as “Kwaen Pala Nakhon.” Additionally, it had relations with nearby states which are Kwaen Yonok, Kwaen Khelang Nakorn, Kwaen Phookamyao (Payao), Kwaen Nan, and Kwaen Sukhothai. In B.E. 1986, Kwaen Pala Nakhon was merged to be a part of Lanna Kingdom. It then became only a city in Lanna Kingdom. It served the king of Lanna Kingdom in Chiang Mai. Many noblemen took turns to rule this city. In B.E. ๒๑๐๑, Lanna was colonized by Myanmar. Therefore, Phrae was also colonized by Myanmar. The king of both Myanmar and Lanna had an authority to shuffle noblemen to be the ruler of Mueang Phrae. However, sometimes the ruler of Mueang Phrae took a significant role; consequently, he was named to be the King of Lanna Kingdom. In B.E. ๒๓๑๓, Paya Mongchai, the ruler of Phrae rebelled against the King of Myanmar and became an alliance of Siam King. Thus, the status of Phrae was a colony of Siam. The Ancien regime was implemented by Saensai dynasty which had the highest authority in the city. The status of the noble ruler was known as “King of Mueang NaKhon Phrae” who owned every life in the city. In B.C 2442, Mueang Nakhon Phrae was affiliated with Siam. As a consequence, “Phrae province” has been a part of Thailand since then. In terms of Phrae’s identity, the identity of traditional stateconsisted of physical state and imaginative state which overlapped each other. Therefore, the most significant element of Phrae’s identity was “Ancien” regime comprising of king (ruler of the city) , noblemen, castle, city, and state. The system of “Buddhism” (Brahman) consisted of grand temple of the city, a temple where pillar shine of the city was located, and the temple called Wat Luang Hua Wieang. Furthermore, the“spirit” system composed of spirit of the city, spirit which protected the city and other areas.