Wiang Kum Kam

Terrain

General Condition

Wiang Kum Kam is an ancient city with a rectangular plan. 600 meters wide and 850 meters long, surrounded by a moat and earthen embankment. (Currently, some remain) located parallel to the old Ping River. which is called Ping Lang, but because the current of the Ping River changes direction Therefore, Wiang Kum Kam has changed to be located on the east side as it is today.

Wiang Kum Kam is located on a lowland area. The rainy season will have floods every year (Department of Fine Arts 2534 :15). In the past, Wiang Kum Kam was flooded. As a result, many ancient monuments were damaged and were carried over by sediments. Many archaeological sites in Wiang Kum Kam are mounds of soil before they were excavated and excavated by the Fine Arts Department.

Wiang Kum Kam is currently located in Saraphi District. Away from Chiang Mai to the southeast about 5 kilometers, there is a community. It is used as a location for residential houses, fields and orchards.

Height above mean sea level

Waterway

Ping River

Geological conditions

It is a river basin area. was deposited with sand and gravel sediments. In the Holocene era

Archaeological Era

era/culture

Archaeological age

Mythological age

Types of archaeological sites

archaeological essence

Wiang Kum Kam is an ancient city with a rectangular plan. The width is about 600 meters and the length is approximately 850 meters, surrounded by a moat and earthen embankment. (Currently, some remain) located parallel to the old Ping River. which is known as Ping Lang, but because the current of the Ping River has changed direction Therefore, Wiang Kum Kam has changed to be located on the east side as it is today.

The Fine Arts Department has started excavation and excavation of the ancient city of Wiang Kum Kam since 1984 and has studied historical documents. made to know the information of Wiang Kum Kam Both from mythological documents, chronicles, inscriptions, as well as archaeological evidence. as follows

Historical evidence

About the creation of the city of Wiang Kum Kam appears in many historical documents that have a mythical nature, namely the legend of Shinkalamali Pakorn. legend Chiang Mai local legend Chronicle Part 61:Chronicles of Yonok, Legend of the Fifteen Dynasties Inscription of Wat Phra Yuen, etc.

from historical documents Makes it known that Wiang Kum Kam is an ancient city built by King Mengrai. During the 19th Buddhist century, it was built before Chiang Mai. but can not clearly specify the year of creation Because the year of creation does not match.

During the time when King Mangrai established the city of Wiang Kum Kam Two religious sites are said to have been built, namely Wat Ku Kham (Wat Chedi Liam) and Wat Kan Thom (Wat Chang Kham, Wat Kan Thom Kum Kam Phirom). There is hardly any information in the document. Except for the Koh Kum Kam temple which appears to be mentioned during the reign of Phra Muang Kaew.

After King Mangrai established the city of Chiang Mai. Wiang Kum Kam is still active as an outpost of Chiang Mai. Until during the 23rd Buddhist century, information about Wiang Kum Kam has disappeared from historical documents. It is assumed that during that time it may have become an abandoned city.

Even during the 24th Buddhist century, in the local legend of Chiang Mai, the name of Tha Wang Tan is located next to Wiang Kum Kam. Therefore, it is possible that during this period Wiang Kum Kam has returned to use again. And continued until the 25th Buddhist century, when the community was established during the reign of King Rama V, including many ancient reconstructions in Wiang Kum Kam.

Archaeological evidence

Wiang Kum Kam area, there is evidence that the community originally lived before the creation of Wiang Kum Kam. It is a small community in Haripunchai culture. (Since the 18th Buddhist century), which was found evidence at Wat Kan Thom (Currently, the area where Kan Thom Temple is located is named Wat Kan Thom Kum Kam Phirom), such as stone inscriptions of Mon characters Ancient ruins that were built over by a Viharn of Wat Kan Thom and antiques in Haripunchai art especially the terracotta However, the archaeological evidence is consistent with religious myths.

In addition, archaeological evidence also found that after King Mangrai moved to build the city of Chiang Mai. Wiang Kum Kam is still an important city. It was not left deserted even after a great flood. Because evidence of construction and renovations in Wiang Kum Kam has been found continuously until the 23rd Buddhist century.

Determination of age

From the historical documentary evidence and archaeological evidence Makes it known that the city of Wiang Kum Kam was probably built during the 19th Buddhist century before the creation of Wiang Kum Kam. It looks like a small community in Haripunchai culture since the 18th Buddhist century and after the city of Wiang Kum Kam was built. It has continued to be used until the 23rd Buddhist century and was abandoned for a while.

Relevant local legend :

1. The Legend of Shinkalamali Pakorn Mentioned that King Mang Rai built the city of Kum Kam. When Chulachak 665 (1847 B.E.)

2. Mythology Meng Rai said that Phraya Mangrai came to Kumkam, saying:“...Next, Phraya Mangrai came out to Kum Kam. There were 3 plots of houses, 1 was called Ban Klang, 1 was called Ban Lum, 1 was called Ban Haem. That…”

3. Chiang Mai native legends Mentioned about Phraya Mengrai built Wiang Kum Kam. When Chulachak 648 corresponds to the year 1830

4. Chronicle Part 61 mentions Phraya Mengrai Tang Wiang Kum Kam. When Chulachak 648 corresponds to the year 1830

5. The Yonok chronicles mention that Phraya Mengrai came to build Wiang Kum Kam. In the year of Chulalongkorn 648 corresponds to the year 1830.

6. The Legend of the Fifteen Dynasty Wat Methangrawat, Phrae Province, copied in 1889, mentioning the area around Wat Kan Thom There were communities living before Wiang Kum Kam was established.

Related inscription :The inscription of Wat Phra Yuen appears with the name “Kum Kam” in the first side inscription, line 31, mentioning people from Haripunchai, Wiang Kum Kam and Chiang Mai who have faith to attend the ceremony to offer the monastery to Phra Sumon Thera.