| Ban Mueang บานเมือง | |
|---|---|
 | |
| King of Sukhothai | |
| Reign | ? – circa 1822 BE (1279/80 CE)[1] |
| Predecessor | Si Inthrathit[2] |
| Successor | Ram Khamhaeng[2] |
| Died | circa 1822 BE (1279/80 CE)[1] |
| Issue | Ngua Nam Thum[3] |
| House | Phra Ruang[4] |
| Father | Si Inthrathit[2] |
| Mother | Sueang[2] |
Ban Mueang (Thai: บานเมือง, pronounced [bāːn mɯ̄a̯ŋ]) was a king of Sukhothai, an ancient kingdom in Thailand. He was from the House of Phra Ruang.[4]
| Abbreviation | For |
|---|---|
| BE | Buddhist Era |
| CE | Common Era |
The name Ban Mueang (Thai: บานเมือง) means "one who delights the nation".[5]
In Thai, the name is usually misspelt as "บาลเมือง", which is pronounced the same and means "one who protects the nation".[4][5]
He is merely referred to as Ban (บาน) in the Pu Khun Chit Khun Chot Inscription (Inscription No. 45), created in 1935 BE (1392/93 CE).[6]
He was the second son of King Si Inthrathit of Sukhothai and his wife, Sueang.[7] He succeeded his father to the throne of Sukhothai in an unknown year and reigned until his death, which occurred around 1822 BE (1279/80 CE).[1]
The Ram Khamhaeng Inscription (Inscription No. 1), which was allegedly created in 1835 BE (1292/93 CE) and contains an autobiography of his younger brother, Ram Khamhaeng,[8] states:[9]
My father was named Si Inthrathit. My mother was named Lady Sueang. My elder brother was named Ban Mueang. There were five of us born from the same womb: three boys and two girls. My eldest brother died when he was still a child... In my father's lifetime, I served my father and I served my mother. When I caught any game or fish, I brought them to my father. When I picked any acid or sweet fruits that were delicious and good to eat, I brought them to my father. When I went hunting elephants and caught some, either by lasso or by driving them into a corral, I brought them to my father. When I raided a town or village and captured elephants, men and women, silver or gold, I turned them over to my father. When my father died, my elder brother was still alive. I served him steadfastly as I had served my father. When my elder brother died, I got the whole kingdom for myself.
Ban Mueang is also mentioned in the Pu Khun Chit Khun Chot Inscription which describes the lineage of the House of Phra Ruang.[6]
As stated by both inscriptions, Ban Mueang was, upon his death, succeeded by his younger brother, Ram Khamhaeng.[1]
A historical document, Jinakalamali, states that Ban Mueang had a son, Ngua Nam Thum, who later became a king of Sukhothai.[3]
A great-great-grandchild of Ban Mueang was named after Ban Mueang according to the ancient custom of naming a baby after its ancestor.[10] The great-great-grandchild ascended the throne of Sukhothai as Mahathammaracha IV.[11]