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 ruled from 1278 – 1298.
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.
