Setthathirath or Xetthathirat (; also known as Xaysettha ; ; ; ; ; 24 January 1534 – 1571) is considered one of the great leaders in Lao history. Throughout the 1560s until his death, he successfully defended his kingdom of Lan Xang against military campaigns by Burmese conqueror Bayinnaung, who had already subdued Xieng Mai (Chiang Mai) in 1558 and Ayutthaya in 1564. Setthathirath was a prolific builder and erected many Buddhist monuments including Wat Xieng Thong in Luang Prabang, Haw Phra Kaew, Wat Ong Teu Mahawihan and the Pha That Luang in Vientiane.

King of Lan Na

Setthathirath known in Lan Na as Chao Upayo (, Upayo, ), Son of the King Photisarath of Lan Xang, he was crowned King of Lan Na after the death of his grandfather, Ketklao the previous King of Lan Na, who died without a male heir to the throne and gave his daughter Princess Yotkhamtip in marriage to his father King Photisarath of Lan Xang.

When King Ketklao died, there was no other descendant available to succeed him. High-ranking officials and Buddhist monks therefore agreed unanimously to assign the Lan Na throne to Prince Setthathirath in 1546. Following his coronation, King Setthathirath took possession of the Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha) as his personal palladium. According to the Chiang Mai Chronicle, His name was lengthened to Phra Pen Chao Upayovaraj (, Upayovarāja)

  1. Princess Kiao Prakham, a daughter of Phragna Sen Soulinthara Lusai - King of Lan Xang (r. 1546–1551)
  2. Prince Nu Muang Kaeva Kumara (Phragna Nakorn-Noi No Muang Keo Koumane) - King of Lan Xang (r. 1571–1572(?); 1591–1598)
  3. a three lady from Indapatha-negara a daughter of Chan Reachea
  4. by unknown women
  5. Princess Khau Pheng - (married in 1560 with Prince Kham Khon (Kham Done) Prince of Xieng Xouang (d. 1567), younger son of Prince Su Bun Lan Thai, Prince of S’ieng Wong S’ieng Wang

See also

  • List of monarchs of Laos

Notes

References

  • Lorrillard, Michel (1999) "La Succession de Setthathirat : réappréciation d'une période de l'histoire du Lan Xang," Aseanie 4 December 1999, pp. 44–64.
  • Phothisane, Souneth. (1996). The Nidan Khun Borom: Annotated Translation and Analysis,
  • Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Queensland. [This is a translation of a Lan Chang chronicle]
  • Wyatt, David K. and Aroonrut Wichienkeeo (1995). The Chiangmai Chronicle. Chiangmai:
  • Silkworm Books, pp. 118–127 [This source records the history of Setthathirath as a ruler of both Lan Chang and Chiang Mai]
  • Wyatt, David K., Thailand: A Short History, New Haven (Yale University Press), 2003. [Concise description of his reign]