The Sawankhalok -Sukothai Ceramic Exhibition

Driwancybermuseum’s Blog

                 

                           WELCOME COLLECTORS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD

                          SELAMAT DATANG KOLEKTOR INDONESIA DAN ASIAN

                                                AT DR IWAN CYBERMUSEUM

                                          DI MUSEUM DUNIA MAYA DR IWAN S.

_____________________________________________________________________

SPACE UNTUK IKLAN SPONSOR

_____________________________________________________________________

 *ill 001

                      *ill 001  LOGO MUSEUM DUNIA MAYA DR IWAN S.*ill 001

                                THE FIRST INDONESIAN CYBERMUSEUM

                           MUSEUM DUNIA MAYA PERTAMA DI INDONESIA

                 DALAM PROSES UNTUK MENDAPATKAN SERTIFIKAT MURI

                                        PENDIRI DAN PENEMU IDE

                                                     THE FOUNDER

                                            Dr IWAN SUWANDY, MHA

                                                         

    BUNGA IDOLA PENEMU : BUNGA KERAJAAN MING SERUNAI( CHRYSANTHENUM)

  

                         WELCOME TO THE MAIN HALL OF FREEDOM               

                     SELAMAT DATANG DI GEDUNG UTAMA “MERDEKA

Showcase :

The Sawankhalok Sukothai Ceramic Exhibition.

Frame One :

The Sawankhalok Sukothai Ceramic Found In Indonesia

THE STORY OF  THAI ANCIENT CERAMIC   Living under the shadow of a greater neighbor such as China has its disadvantages as recounted a blog post relating the Haw Wars I wrote on Blogger.  It also has many advantages. One boon was the boosting of a prosperous international trade in ceramics in the 13-14th century Sukhothai. King Mengrai of Chiang Mai, King Ramkamhaeng of Sukhothai, and the Kingdom of Lopburi all sent several diplomatic missions to Chinese courts. Some Chinese potters were probably brought back to Thailand during 13th century as a result of these friendly and profitable visits.  Later around late 14th century, the ban on exports of early Ming Dynasty most likely encouraged frustrated Chinese potters to relocate to several pottery cities around Southeast Asia. The famous Sangkhalok ceramics of Si Satchanalai flowered around the 14th century. These beautiful green glazed celandon and fish painted stoneware ruled the seas for some 300 years before blue and white porcelain from China took over international Eastern maritime markets. Recent discoveries of numerous shipwrecks, such as the Turiang shipwreck discovered by Sten Sjostrand in the South China Sea, have provided more detailed information about Sukhothai ceramic production than historical records could have provided. Hundreds of ancient kilns have also been archeologically excavated in several locations all over Thailand.  Most of them were centered around Si Satchanalai, Sukhothai, Suphanburi, and Tak. The Chao Praya  River system obviously had been a key artery of distribution.  Eventually it seemed that the deterioration of river access to Si Satchanalai could have been a major cause for the decline of ceramic trade from Si Satchanalai and subsequent geopolitics shifted the center of power from Sukhothai to Ayudhya, where other products of trade gradually gained more importance over ceramics. Southeast Asia has an old tradition of pottery that dates back even before the times of Sukhothai.  There were ancient Mon, Kmer, and Vietnamese 8-11th century traditions.  Pots have been excavated from burials dating 6,00BC to 4,000BC. Buried red earthenware were so abundant in Ban Chiang that thousands of years later, a teenager kicks up its shards leading to the discovery of an extensive Bronze Age pottery production.     Looking around present day common life in Thailand, you’ll find evidence abound that such pottery traditions continue to be an important element of Thai culture. From fine high cultured, five-coloured  Benjarong porcelain and imitations of antiqued ceramics sold to tourists and collectors, to commercial modern dining wares for exports and day to day items of household use such as, Ratchaburi dragon water jars, ubiquitous red-tiled roofs and sculptured terra cotta motifs in temples.     For those who have such as a pottery craze as I do, a tour of just pottery sites in Thailand alone can easily fill up any touring plans.  A day trip out of Bangkok to Ratchaburi is as good a place to start as a river trip down the Chao Praya river to Ko Kret. There are 42 factories of dragon jar makers in Ratchaburi, all of them descended from early 20th century Chinese pot makers who were brought in to make to pots during the World War when imports of these important jars were not allowed.  You can find a description of how these dragon jars are made in this page of Sea East Asia Pottery.   One can also visit production villages that had evolved out of old pottery communities. Dan Kwian, in Nakorn Rajasima (Korat), about  three hours out of Bangkok is a good detour on a trip to the Pimai Kmer style archeological site. If you plan a trip up North towards Chiang Mai, drop by to support the Muang Kung Pottery Village. However, if you have to save your plans of travel for sometime in the future, don’t despair. You can just visit online this exquisitely produced Shaw collection website, where you will be able find descriptions of dated ceramic traditions, as well as rare pictures of ancient kilns that dot the geography of Thailand.  You can use the map provided to mark out places you must try to visit when you eventually make it to Thailand.   Admiring the variety and genius of ceramic traditions around the world, old and new, never fails to touch me with the ebb and flow, the persistence of humanity’s creative spirit to shape, out of so humble a material such as earth, to produce such venerable objects as these enduring pots and jars… that, even after several hundreds of years buried under sea salt… can still shine their lustrous beauty. Don’t miss checking out the extensively, resourceful Maritime Asia website for detailed information about Sukhothai and Si Satchanalai pottery.

 

 

 

Frame Two :

The Thailand Ceramic  Historic Collections

Sukhothai Kingdom

 

อาณาจักรสุโขทัย Kingdom of Sukhothai ← 1238–1583 → Kingdom of Sukhothai Capital Sukhothai (1238 – 1419) Phitsanulok (1419 – 1583) Language(s) Thai Religion Theravada Buddhism Government Monarchy King  – 1249- 1257 Sri Indraditya  – 1279 – 1299 Ramkhamhaeng the Great  – 1468 – 1488 Trailokanat  – 1534 – 1569 Maha Thammarachathirat  – 1569 – 1583 Naresuan Historical era Middle Ages  – Liberation from Lavo kingdom 1238  – Expansions under Ramkhamhaeng 1279 – 1299  – Became Ayutthayan tributary 1378  – Personal union with Ayutthaya kingdom 1468  – Annexation by Naresuan 1583

 

History of Thailand
Prehistory
Early history
Initial states[show] Legendary Suvarnabhumi Central Thailand Dvaravati Lavo Supannabhum Northern Thailand Singhanavati Ngoenyang Hariphunchai Southern Thailand Pan Pan Raktamaritika Langkasuka Srivijaya Tambralinga Nakhon Si Thammarat
History
Sukhothai Kingdom Ayutthaya Kingdom Thonburi Kingdom Rattanakosin Kingdom History from 1932-1973 History since 1973
Regional history[show] Isan Lanna Phitsanulok Bangkok
Related topics[show] Peopling of Thailand Constitutional history Military history Economic history
Recent history[show] 2005-2006 Political crisis 2006 Coup d’état
v • d • e

The Sukhothai Kingdom (Thai: ราชอาณาจักรสุโขทัย (pronunciation)) was an early kingdom in the area around the city Sukhothai, in north central Thailand. The Kingdom existed from 1238 till 1438. The old capital, now 12 km outside of New Sukhothai in Tambon Mueang Kao, is in ruins and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage historical park.

Contents 1 History 1.1 Liberation from Lavo 1.2 Expansions under Ramkamhaeng 1.3 Decline and Domination of Ayutthaya 2 The Kings of Sukhothai 2.1 Phra Ruang Dynasty (1238-1368-1438) 3 Comments: Sukhothai in Thai Historiography

//

 History

Liberation from Lavo

Wat Si Sawai, Sukhothai Historical Park

Prior to the 13th century, Tai kingdoms had existed on the northern highlands including the Ngoen Yang (centered on Chiang Saen; predecessor of Lanna) kingdom and the Heokam (centered on Chiang Hung, modern Jinghong in China) kingdom of Tai Lue people. Sukhothai had been a trade center and part of Lavo, which was under the domination of the Khmer Empire. The migration of Tai people into upper Chao Phraya valley was somewhat gradual.

Modern historians stated that the secession of Sukhothai from the Khmer empire began as early as 1180 during the reign of Po Khun Sri Naw Namthom who was the ruler of Sukhothai and the peripheral city of Sri Satchanalai (now a part of Sukhothai Province as Amphoe). Sukhothai had enjoyed a substantial autonomy until it was re-conquered around 1180 by the Mons of Lavo under Khomsabad Khlonlampong.

Two brothers, Po Khun Bangklanghao and Po Khun Phameung (Po Khun was a Siamese title of high nobility) took Sukhothai from Mon hands in 1239. Bangklanghao ruled Sukhothai as Sri Inthraditaya – and began the Phra Ruang dynasty – he expanded his primordial kingdom to the bordering cities. At the end of his reign in 1257, the Sukhothai kingdom covered the entire Upper Chao Phraya valley.

Traditional Thai historians considered the foundation of the Sukhothai kingdom as the beginning of their nation because little was known about the kingdoms prior to Sukhothai. Modern historical studies demonstrate that Thai history began before Sukhothai. Yet the foundation of Sukhothai is still a celebrated event.

Wat Saphan Hin, Sukhothai Historical Park

Phra Achana, Wat Si Chum, Sukhothai Historical Park

Expansions under Ramkamhaeng

Po Khun Banmeaung and his brother Ramkhamhaeng expanded the Sukhothai kingdom at the expense of neighboring civilizations. For the first time a Tai state became a dominant power in Southeast Asia. To the south, Ramkamhaeng subjugated the kingdom of Supannabhum and Sri Thamnakorn (Tambralinga) and, through Tambralinga, adopted Theravada as state religion. Traditional history described the extension of Sukhothai in a great fashion and the accuracy of these claims is disputed. To the north Ramkamhaeng put Phrae, and Mueng Sua (Luang Prabang) under tribute.

To the west Ramkhamhaeng helped the Mons under Wareru (who is said to have eloped with Ramkamhaeng’s daughter) to free themselves from Pagan control and established a kingdom at Martaban (they later moved to Pegu). So, Thai historians considered the Kingdom of Martaban a Sukhothai tributary. However, in practice, such Sukhothai domination may not have extended that far.

On culture, Ramkhamhaeng requested the monks from Sri Thamnakorn to propagate the Theravada religion in Sukhothai. In 1283, the Thai script was invented by Ramkamhaeng, formulating into controversial Ramkamhaeng Stele discovered by Mongkut 600 years later. From the Stele is almost what we know about Sukhothai.

Ramkhamhaeng’s government characterized the governance of Sukhothai kingdom – the patrocracy – in which the king is considered “father” and people “children”. He also encouraged the free trade, stating those who wish to trade elephants, trade them then. Those who wish to trade horses, trade them then.

It was also his time that the first relation with Yuan dynasty was formulated and Sukhothai began sending trade missions to China. The well-known exported good of Sukhothai was the Sangkalok (i.e. Song dynasty pottery) – the only period that Siam produced Chinese-styled ceramics and fell out of use by the 14th century.

Decline and Domination of Ayutthaya

The Sukhothai domination was, however, short. After the death of Ramkhamhaeng, the Sukhothai tributaries broke away. Ramkhamhaeng was succeeded by his son Loethai. The vassal kingdoms, first Uttaradit in the north, then soon after the Laotian kingdoms of Luang Prabang and Vientiane (Wiangchan), liberated themselves from their overlord. In 1319 the Mon state to the west broke away, and in 1321 Lanna placed Tak, one of the oldest towns under the control of Sukhothai, under its control. To the south the powerful city of Suphanburi also broke free early in the reign of Loethai. Thus the kingdom was quickly reduced to its former local importance only. Meanwhile, Ayutthaya rose in strength, and finally in 1378 King Thammaracha II had to submit to this new power.

Replica of Silajaruek Pokhun Ramkhamhaeng

In 1378, the armies from Ayutthaya kingdom invaded and put Sukhothai under her tributary. Suffering the urban decline, Luethai moved the capital to Pitsanulok.

In 1424, after the death of Sailuethai, Paya Ram and Paya Banmeung the two brothers fought for the throne. Nagarindrathirat of Ayutthaya intervened and further divided the kingdom between the two. Their sister had married to Borommaracha II of Ayutthaya and produced a son, Prince Ramesuan. When Boromban died in 1446 without any heirs, the throne passed to Ramesuan or Trailokanat. Ramesuan was also crowned as the King of Ayutthaya in 1448, thus began the personal union between the Kingdom of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya.

The Silajaruek Sukhothai are hundreds of stone inscriptions that form a historical record of the period. Among the most important inscriptions are Silajaruek Pho Khun Ramkhamhaeng (Stone Inscription of King Ramkhamhaeng), Silajaruek Wat Srichum (an account on history of the region itself and of Srilanka), and Silajaruek Wat Pamamuang (a Politico-Religious record of King Loethai).

The Kings of Sukhothai

Phra Ruang Dynasty (1238-1368-1438)

Name	Birth	Reign From	Reign Until	Death	Relationship with Predecessor(s)
Pho Khun Sri Indraditya (Pho Khun Bang Klang Hao)	?	1239	1279 (30 years)		• First King of Sukhothai
Pho Khun Ban Muang	?	1279 (1 year)			• Son of Sri Indraditya
Pho Khun Ram Khamhaeng the Great (Pho Khun Ram Racha)	circa 1237-1247	1279	1298 (19 years)		• Younger brother of Ban Muang  • Son of Sri Indraditya
Phaya Lerthai	?	1298	1323 (25 years)		• Son of Ram Khamhaeng
Phaya Nguanamthom	?	1323	1347 (24 years)		• Cousin of Lerthai  • Son of Ban Muang
Phaya Lithai (Phra Maha Thammaracha I)	?	1347	1368 (21 years)		• Cousin of Nguanamthom  • Son of Lerthai
Under the suzerain of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya
Phaya Leuthai (Phra Maha Thammaracha II)	?	1368	1399 (31 years)		• Son of Lithai
Phaya Saileuthai (Phra Maha Thammaracha III)	?	1400	1419 (19 years)		• Son of Leuthai
Phaya Borommapan (Phra Maha Thammaracha IV)	?	1419	1438 (19 years)		• Son of Saileuthai

Comments: Sukhothai in Thai Historiography

Sukhothai royal temple, replica in Muang Boran

Sukhothai story was narrated into Thailand’s “national history” in late nineteenth century by King Mongkut, Rama IV, as a historical work presented to the British diplomatic mission. King Mongkut is considered as the champion of Sukhothai narrative history, based on his found of the Number One Stone Inscription, the ‘first evidence’ telling the history of Sukhothai.

From then on, as a part of modern nation building process, modern national Siamese or Thai history comprises the history of Sukhothai. Sukhothai was said to be the ‘first national capital’, followed by Ayutthaya, Thonburi until Rattanakosin or today Bangkok. Sukhothai history was crucial among Siam/ Thailand’s ‘modernists’, both ‘conservative’ and ‘revolutionary’. Rama IV or King Mongkut, was said he found ‘the first Stone Inscription’ in Sukhothai, telling story of Sukhothai’s origin, heroic kings such as Ramkhamhaeng, administrative system and other developments, considered as the ‘prosperous time’ of the kingdom.

Sukhothai history became important even after the Revolution of 1932. Researches and writings on Sukhothai history were abundant. Details derived from the inscription were studied and ‘theorized’. One of the most well-known topics was Sukhothai’s ‘democracy’ rule. Story of the close relationship between king and his people, vividly described as ‘father-son’ relationship, the ‘seed’ of Thai Democracy. However the change in ruling style took place when later society embraced ‘foreign’ tradition, Khmer’s Angkor tradition, influenced by Hinduism and ‘mystic’ Mahayana Buddhism. The story of Sukhothai became the model of ‘freedom’. Jit Bhumisak, a ‘revolutionary’ scholar, also saw Sukhothai period as the beginning of Thai people’s liberation movement from foreign ruler, Angkor.

During military rule, from 1950s, Sukhothai was placed in Thai national curriculum. Sukhothai became model of ‘father-son’ rule, described as ‘Thai Democracy’, free from ‘foreign ideology’; Angkorian tradition compared to communism. Other Sukhothai aspects were investigated seriously, such as commoner and slave status, and economic situation. These topics, said, were on stage of ideological thoughts fighting during the Cold war and civil insurgency times in 1960-1970s

Amphoe Sawankhalok

Sawankhalok สวรรคโลก
—  Amphoe  —
Amphoe location in Sukhothai Province
Coordinates: 17°19′0″N 99°49′54″E / 17.316667°N 99.83167°E / 17.316667; 99.83167Coordinates: 17°19′0″N 99°49′54″E / 17.316667°N 99.83167°E / 17.316667; 99.83167
Country	Thailand
Province	Sukhothai
Seat	Mueang Sawankhalok
Area
– Total	586.192 km2 (226.3 sq mi)
Population (2008)
– Total	87,735
– Density	151.7/km2 (392.9/sq mi)
Time zone	THA (UTC+7)
Postal code	64110
Geocode	6407

Sawankhalok (Thai: สวรรคโลก) is a district (Amphoe) in the northern part of Sukhothai Province, northern Thailand.

Contents [hide] 1 Geography 2 History 3 Administration 4 References 5 External links

//

 Geography

Neighboring districts are (from the south clockwise) Si Samrong, Thung Saliam, Si Satchanalai, Si Nakhon of Sukhothai Province, Phichai of Uttaradit Province and Phrom Phiram of Phitsanulok Province.

 History

The district was originally the capital district of Sawankhalok province, which in 1932 was merged with Sukhothai province.^[1]. The new province was at first named Sawankhalok, but in 1939 was renamed to Sukhothai and its capital district moved to Sukhothai district.^[2]

In 1917, the district was renamed from Mueang (เมือง) to Wang Mai Khon (วังไม้ขอน).^[3]. 1938 it was named Mueang Sawankhalok (เมืองสวรรคโลก),^[4] which was changed to only Sawankhalok in 1939 following the province rename.^[2]

 Administration

The district is subdivided into 14 subdistricts (tambon), which are further subdivided into 143 villages (muban). Suwankhalok is a town (thesaban mueang) and covers the whole tambon Mueang Suwankhalok. There are further 13 Tambon administrative organizations (TAO).

No.	Name	Thai	Villages	Inh.[5]
01.	Mueang Sawankhalok	เมืองสวรรคโลก	09	18,051
02.	Nai Mueang	ในเมือง	14	08,327
03.	Khlong Krachong	คลองกระจง	09	05,092
04.	Wang Phinphat	วังพิณพาทย์	04	000804
05.	Wang Mai Khon	วังไม้ขอน	11	01,778
06.	Yan Yao	ย่านยาว	12	08,767
07.	Na Thung	นาทุ่ง	12	05,307
08.	Khlong Yang	คลองยาง	12	07,139
09.	Mueang Bang Yom	เมืองบางยม	05	02,921
10.	Tha Thong	ท่าทอง	08	03,668
11.	Pak Nam	ปากน้ำ	12	06,982
12.	Pa Kum Ko	ป่ากุมเกาะ	14	07,991
13.	Mueang Bang Khlang	เมืองบางขลัง	13	05,038
14.	Nong Klap	หนองกลับ	08	05,870

 

the end @ copyright Dr Iwan Suwandy 2010