Kawila

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Chao Kawila ( Thai : เจ้า กา วิ ละ , also Phaya Kawila - พญา กา วิ ละ , * 1742; † 1816) was a king of the Kingdom of Lan Na (today: northern region of Thailand ). He ruled first from 1775 to 1781 in Lampang , then from 1782 until his death on February 3, 1816 in Chiang Mai.

prehistory

During the 200-year occupation of what is now northern Thailand by the Burmese , the local kings were generally uncooperative with the Burmese. However, some knew how to use Burmese strengths, such as King Thipchang (Chao Thip Chang - เจ้า ทิพย์ ช้าง ) of Lampang . With Burmese help, he was able to strengthen the status of Lampang during his 27-year rule (1732–1759). He sent tribute to the Burmese and was awarded the title Phraya Chaisongkhram ("victorious in war"). He was succeeded by his son Prince Chai Kaeo ( เจ้า ชาย แก้ว ), who was awarded the title Chaofa Singharatchathani. He had seven sons, of whom Prince Kawila succeeded his father on the throne of Lampang after his death.

End of Burmese domination

Chao Kawila formed an alliance with the regent of Chiang Mai, Phraya Chaban ( พระยา จ่า บ้าน ), with the aim of ending Burmese oppression. At that time, Lan Na served the Burmese as a base from which new recruits for the siege of Ayutthaya were conscripted. In 1771 there was an uprising against Burmese tyranny in Chiang Mai. He was led by Chao Kawila and Phraya Chaban, who only commanded a small force of 300 ill-equipped men. The uprising was repulsed by the Burmese occupation forces and the families of the leaders were thrown into prison in retaliation.

Support from Siam

Chao Kawila and Phraya Chaban finally came to the conclusion that they could not do anything on their own. So Phraya Chaban traveled to Thonburi to ask King Taksin for assistance. This step was all the more serious as Phraya Chaban had recently defended Chiang Mai against Taksin's troops. Taksin again sent troops, which under the leadership of Thong Duang could advance to Thoen in just 17 days . After the Burmese governor had been executed, Chiang Mai was taken by the Siamese in 1774 . Taksin gave Phraya Chaban the title of Luang Wachiraprakan Kamphaengphet and appointed him ruler of Chiang Mai. Kawila was appointed ruler of Lampang, where he was able to rebuild a strong city with the support of his six brothers. On the way back to Thonburi, King Taksin was offered the niece of Kawila as concubine, around the same time Kawila's younger sister became the concubine of Chaophraya Surasi, the younger brother of the later first king of the Chakri dynasty . This strengthened the connection and the power of the "Seven Brothers" ( Chao Chet Thon ), who founded the dynasty named after them. In the years that followed, Kawila was able to convince all the other rulers of Lan Na to commit themselves to loyalty to Siam.

King of Chiang Mai

After Phraya Chaban died, Chao Kawila was appointed Phraya Watchiraprakan ( พระยา วชิร ปราการ ) and thus King of Chiang Mai by King Puttha Yotfa Chulalok ( Rama I. ) in 1782 . Kawila initially held his residence in Lampang, and it was not until March 17, 1797 that he went to Chiang Mai, accompanied by two of his brothers. On March 26th, he arrived at Wat Buppharam . From there he carried out the ancient custom of the Lan-Na kings by circling the city. He paid homage to the Buddha statue at Wat Chiang Yuen before entering the city at lunchtime through the Pratu Chang Pueak ( The City Gate of the White Elephant ). He rested one night in front of Wat Chiang Man , only then did he enter the royal palace.

Reconstruction of Chiang Mai

In the following years he stabilized and secured the initially almost deserted city of Chiang Mai. He settled several hundred people from Lampang south and east of the city. For protection, he built an earth wall, which is still preserved in places on Thanon Kamphaengdin (earth wall road) . The brick city wall around the old city and the city canals were also renewed. Sacred sites such as the Chang Phueak Monument (Monument to the White Elephants) and the lion figures of Khuang Singh and the hermit statue of Suthep in Wat Phra That Doi Suthep have been restored, as have a large number of Buddhist temples.

End and succession of Kawila

On January 30, 1816, the king became seriously ill. On Thursday February 3rd, King Kawila died of a fever at the age of 74. He was succeeded by his brother Chao Noi Thammalangka, the third son of Chao Chai Kaeo. This had been Phraya Ratchawong from Lampang since 1774 . In 1782 he was appointed Uparat ("Viceroy") of Chiang Mai.

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personal data
SURNAME Kawila
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Chao Kawila; Phraya Kawila
BRIEF DESCRIPTION 1. King of the Chao Chet Thon dynasty
DATE OF BIRTH 1742
PLACE OF BIRTH Lampang
DATE OF DEATH February 3, 1816
Place of death Chiang Mai