Wiang Kum Kam

Wiang Kum Kam ( Thai: เวียง กุม กาม, such as: fortified royal residence ) is a restored settlement on the west bank of the Maenam Ping ( Ping River ), about five kilometers south of the present city of Chiang Mai in the district Saraphi, Chiang Mai Province, Northern Thailand.

Foundation

After King Meng Rai in 1281 Hariphunchai (now Lamphun ), had conquered the capital of the empire of the Sun, he had his residence for five years in Lamphun. In 1287, he wanted a " new town" ( Thai: เชียงใหม่, Chiang Mai ) establish and moved his court to the north in an arc of the Ping River, which provided a natural line of defense so to the north and east. Archeological excavations show that it is rectangular, fortified with palisades town ( Wiang - เวียง ) built by the size of 850 meters × 1600 meters. In this attachment, he built a market around it houses and temples, as well as a " vast royal palace with many buildings ".

When the military facility was completed, he took care of the religious needs of its inhabitants. He had built a temple ( Wat ) with a chedi, which he designed in Lamphun modeled after the chedi of Wat Ku Khut Chamadevi. He named the Tempe " Wat Ku Kham " (today: Wat Chedi Liam ). Numerous other temples soon followed.

After five years in Wiang Kum Kam Meng Rai the Great moved his residence again not far to the north, just south of present-day Wat Chiang Man. There he founded on March 27, 1292, the present city of Chiang Mai.

Around the beginning of the 16th century Wiang Kum Kam was hit by a devastating flood that left a meter-thick layer of mud on the territory, which thus became uninhabitable. At that time, the Ping River also changed his course, he now flows west of the old settlement. An exact date of the flood can not be locked. Archaeologists suspect, however, that it must have taken place in the period 1558-1774. However, it is reported in the chronicles that the area now Thapae gate was flooded in 1524 /25, and that besides, many people drowned. So some historians speculate, this could possibly have been the end of Wiang Kum Kam. The old settlement fell then into oblivion.

Excavations

In the years 1986 and 1987, scientists conducted Chiang Mai University studies in an area between the southern ring road of Chiang Mai ( Highway 1141 ) and the street Chiang Mai - Lamphun ( Highway 106) through to check the veracity of the " legendendären city ". They could initially restore the Wat Chang Kam in the center of the historic settlement, and Wat Chedi Lieam in the northwest. The mid-1990s rested the work, but since 2001/2002 were in the middle of a modern housing estate by and exposed to the foundations of about 30 temples.

Attractions

• Wat Chedi Liam ( Thai: วัด เจดีย์ เหลี่ยม, also: Wat Ku Kham วัด กู่ คำ ) - a still active temple, which was built in 1288 by King Meng Rai. Noteworthy is the step-shaped chedi in Dvaravati style, are with a square base of size " eight Wah and Sok " and with a height of 22 Wah, with niches on all four sides, in which standing Buddha statues. On each side there are 15, 60 niches - supposedly this number is expected to relate to the 60 wives of King Meng Rai. The Chedi is the top by a Burmese umbrella ( " Hti " ) topped that became her well placed at a restoration by a Burmese traders in the early 20th century.
• Wat Kan Thom ( วัด กาน โถม ), also: Wat Chang Kham ( ช้าง ค้ำ ) - also active today, built in 1291 by King Meng Rai also. Worth seeing is the typical of Lan Na Chedi - shape: on a cube-shaped base with edge length 12 meters, which rests on a multi- stepped base, a stupa is located in Burmese style, which is also topped by a " Hti ". Excavations here many small votive tablets were found in clay, mapped to which Buddha figures in Hariphunchai style and character of Mon - writing were covered.
• Wat Pu Pia ( วัด ปู่ เปี้ ย ) - lay before the excavation of less than two meters earth hidden in an orchard. It is located at the western city wall and consists of a ubosot, a viharn to which leads a decorated with Naga heads staircase, and a chedi. The name was given to the temple by the residents of the area, since his name is not mentioned in any historical document.

Viharn and Chedi of Wat Pu Pia

Stairs to the Viharn at Wat Ku Padom