A. Introduction: Kingdom of Ayudhya

Original Mongkol Bophit Temple, Source: preciousgang.blogspot.com, retrieved date: Mar.15, 2018 [Title Thumbnail, Phra Si Sanphet Temple, Took a picture during A.D.1955, Source: preciousgang.blogspot.com, retrieved date: Mar.15, 2018]

A. Introduction: The Ayudhya Kingdom

First revision: Mar.15, 2018
Last revision: Dec.9, 2024
Searched, Gathered, Rearranged, Translated, adn Compiled by Apirak Kanchanakongkha.

Page 1

Part 1: Evidence used in studying the history of the Ayudhya Period:

When Ayudhya was lost in A.D.1767 (B.E.2310), a large amount of documentary evidence was lost. It is said that only 1 in 10 documents survive to the present. However, fortunately, there were many documents from foreigners, especially Europeans who had visited Ayudhya. Therefore, it is possible to study the history of the middle and late Ayudhya Period more by relying on evidence from these foreign countries.

       The use of foreign language evidence is, on one hand, an advantage because it allows for more independent verification of evidence. However, there is still the problem of the accuracy of the recorded evidence, which is related to culture, bias, and actual knowledge about the recorded matter. If the evidence is to be used, it must go through a process of criticism in order to obtain information that is as close to reality as possible. Therefore, it can be said that the lack of evidence is a limitation of studying the history of the Ayudhya period. From the study, I would like to divide the evidence into easy-to-understand sections:

       1) Written evidence and
       2) Non-written evidence

       1) Written evidence, including both Thai and foreign language documents. Most Thai documentary evidence is:
             - Royal Chronicles⁰¹
             - Chronicles⁰²
             - Various testimonies
             - Three Seal Laws

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⁰¹. The Royal Chronicles are historical literary works that the King has recorded or collected stories in the kingdom. Therefore, they are written to indirectly honor the King. Chit Bhumisak said that the Royal Chronicles of Ayudhya are only records of the history of the dynasty that ruled Ayudhya. The purpose of the records is therefore not to record the development of Thai society in its entirety according to the form of history.

Example of the inscription, Thai black book, source: kingkarnk288.wordpress.com, access date: Aug.12, 2018.

The original Thai black book records the stories of various versions of the royal chronicles as a form of written Thai documents.

References:

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