King Ramkhamhaeng ruled
from 1278 - 1298.
Chonburi marked the first-ever King Ramkhamhaeng Day
with a ceremony recalling the fabled ruler’s contributions to Thai
history.
Gov. Khomsan Ekachai led the Jan. 17 event at
Chonburi Memorial Hall attended by residents, bureaucrats, soldiers,
police and local residents. The date was selected by the national
government in October as an annual celebration of the king, as it marks
the day in 1833 when a stone inscription supposedly written by the king
detailing his triumphs was “found” by King Mongkut before he ascended to
the throne.
King Ramkhamhaeng was the third King of the Phra
Ruang dynasty, ruling the Sukhothai Kingdom (a forerunner of the modern
kingdom of Thailand) from 1278 - 1298, during its most prosperous era.
He is credited with the creation of the Thai alphabet and the firm
establishment of Theravada Buddhism as the state religion of the
kingdom.
King Ramkhamhaeng is credited not only with creating
the country’s alphabet, but building the region’s largest empire of the
time. (CPRD)
Gov. Khomsan Ekachai
leads Chonburi officials in marking the first King Ramkhamhaeng Day
January 17.
