Thai Northern Chronicle

Northern Chronicle or Royal Northern Chronicle (พงศาวดารเหนือ or พระราชพงศาวดารเหนือ) is a historical legend chronicling events concerning various kingdoms from the period of Ayutthaya onward. It was compiled by Phra Wichian Preecha (Noi), the Right Director of the Royal Academy, near the end of the reign of Rama I in the Year of the Rabbit, Chulasakarat 1169 (A.D. 1807).^[1] King Rama I ordered Krom Phra Ratchawang Bowon Sathan Mongkhon (later King Rama II) to oversee the compilation and editing of old chronicles from the Ayutthaya era that contained stories related to northern cities. The chronicle was first published in the reign of Rama V in 1869.^[2]

The method of compilation for the Northern Chronicle was to gather material from older manuscripts believed to concern the period before the founding of Ayutthaya, and to record oral traditions from the northern people. These accounts were then arranged and connected together to form a continuous narrative, in the manner of the Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya.^[3] Prince Damrong Rajanubhab explained the nature of the Northern Chronicle in Collected Chronicles, Part 1, stating:

“The Northern Chronicle is, in fact, a compilation of many separate stories confusedly arranged; some stories are repeated twice. The chronological system is inconsistent to the point that it cannot be relied upon. However, much of the content contains genuine historical basis. If one wishes to use it for research, it must be critically selected and compared; one should not trust the order of events as arranged by Phra Wichian Preecha.”^[4]

The contents of the Northern Chronicle include stories such as that of Phra Ruang of Sukhothai, who sent tribute water to the Khmer king, the story of Khmer Tham Din (“Khmer Who Sank Into the Earth”),^[5] the Emerald Buddha legend (at the end of the text), the legend of Phra Pathom Chedi,^[6] and stories of King Krerk, Phaya Khong and Phaya Phan, King U Thong, King Sai Nam Phueng, and the creation of the images Phra Phuttha Chinnarat and Phra Chinnasi. Many of these accounts take the form of legends or folklore passed down orally.^[7]

In modern times, other evidence such as inscriptions has been found that supports many points mentioned in the Northern Chronicle. These include references to Phra Phuttha Chinnarat and Phra Phuttha Chinnasi, ancient Thai manuscripts, and archaeological discoveries of large ancient settlements east of Ayutthaya Island, where Chinese-glazed ceramics dating to around 1257 CE (B.E. 1800) were unearthed. There are also historical clues about the founding of Wat Phanan Choeng and the Phra Phuttha Trirattananayok image, as well as the creation of Wat Yai Chaimongkhon, said to have resulted from a wager between a Thai and Burmese king—an account that matches the epic poem Khun Chang Khun Phaen. Other related documents include the Wat Ayodhya inscriptions, the royal “Ongkan Chaeng Nam” (Water Oath) ceremony, and three ancient law texts predating Ayutthaya.^[8]