Ket of Lan Na
Ket of Lan Na
Main page
2347460

Ket of Lan Na

logo
Community Hub0 subscribers
What are your thoughts?
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Ket of Lan Na

Ket (Northern Thai: ᨠᩮ᩠ᩈ; Thai: พญาเกส), Ket Chettharat (Northern Thai: ᨠᩮ᩠ᩈᨩᩮᨭᩛᩁᩣᨩ, Keśaśreṣṭharāja; Thai: เกสเชฏฐราช) or Mueang Ket Klao (Northern Thai: ᨾᩮᩬᩥᨦᨠᩮ᩠ᩇ; Thai: เมืองเกษเกล้า) was the 12th monarch of Lan Na from the Mangrai dynasty of the. He reigned twice: the first time from 1525–1538, and the second time from 1543–1545. During his first reign, which lasted 13 years, he was overthrown by his own son, Saikham. However, Saikham ruled for only 5 years before being deposed by the nobility. Ket was then reinstated to the throne, but ruled for just 2 years before falling into madness and was ultimately assassinated.

Ket, or Ketchettharaj, was the son of King Sirithammachakkrapat, also known as Kaew. He was born in Mueang Noi, present-day Pai district in Mae Hong Son province. He ascended the throne in 1525 and initially retained the power base of his father without facing opposition from the nobility. This stability was supported by the monastic community and his grandmother, Siriyasawadee Devi, who formed part of the traditional power base.

Upon his accession, he continued his father's patronage of Buddhism, particularly supporting the Sihala sect or Forest Monastery tradition. Having been ordained in the Sihala sect at Wat Bodharam Mahavihara (Wat Chet Yot), he appointed his teacher as abbot and elevated monks of the sect to high ecclesiastical ranks, including Sangharaja and Maha Sami. He also promoted ordination within the sect.

This devotion was praised in the Jinakalamali, written by Phra Rattanapanyathera of Wat Bodharam Mahavihara during his early reign, describing him as: "...a true Dhammikaraja (righteous king)..."

Ket’s first reign (1525–1538) began under stable conditions, with the same noble power structures as under his father, Kaew. However, the death of Siriyotsawadi in 1534 marked a turning point. The king began consolidating power, upsetting nobles in Lampang, particularly a leader known as Muen Sam Lan, who led a rebellion in 1535. A passage records:

"...the ministers, led by Muen Sam Lan of Nakhon, his son Muen Luang Chan Nok, and Muen Yi Ai, plotted against King Ketchettharaj. Upon learning this, the king had Muen Sam Lan executed that same day..."

This indicates widespread discontent among the regional nobility, leading to increasing conflict. By 1538, the nobility had gained enough power to depose the king and sent him into exile in Mueang Noi.

Following his removal, Saikham, his son, was installed as king in 1538 at the age of 24. However, his reign was short-lived. According to the Legend of Hariphunchai:

See all
User Avatar
No comments yet.