Setthathirat

Setthathirath (1534 - 1571) is regarded as one of the largest kings of the Lan Xang (current Laos). In 1570, it successfully defended its country against the Burmese conqueror Bayinnaung, which had already seized Chiang May in 1556 and Ayutthaya in 1569. Large builder, Setthathirath raised many Buddhist monuments like the Vat Xieng Thong of Luang Prabang and the That Luang of Vientiane. In 1571, a plot between Phya Nakhon and the former abbot of Vat Maximavat, which had personal objections towards the king, led to the murder of this one at the southern border of the country. It was 38 years old.

The only descendant of Setthathirath was a small child. His/her maternal grandfather, a general commoner of the name of Saensurin (or Soulintha Seine), proclaimed king. It was the one period beginning of disorders, marked by the succession of several leaders over short periods, until the conquest of the kingdom by Bayinnaung in 1574 (the Burmese dominated Laos during 18 years), a fratricide made by a prince of blood, the rebellion of somebody who claimed himself Setthathirat ressuscity and interregnum a 9 years without sovereign. Quarrels of interests and conflicts among the feudal ones produirent disturbances and agitation among the population. Laos found really peace only with the crowning of the king Surinyavongsa in 1633 (or perhaps 1637).

Others

The Setthathirat avenue is one of the main roads of Vientiane, parallel with the Mekong.

References

Lorrillard, Michel, " Succession of Setthathirat: one period reappreciation of the history of Lan Xang, " Aseanie December 4th, 1999, pp. 44-64.

Phothisane, Souneth. (1996). The Nidan Khun Borom: Annotated Translation and Analysis , doctoral Unpublished essay, University off Queensland. in English of a chronicle of Lan Xang

Wyatt, David K. and Aroonrut Wichienkeeo (1995). The Chiangmai Chronicle . Chiangmai: Silkworm Books, pp. 118-127 of Setthathirath as leader of Lan Xang and of Chiang May

Wyatt, David K., Thailand: With Shorts History , New Haven (Yale University Near), 2003. description of its reign

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