Ubon Ratchathani ( Thai : อุบลราชธานี , pronounced [ʔubon râːt.tɕʰa.tʰaːniː] ) is one of the four major cities of Isan (with Khorat/ Nakhon Ratchasima , Udon Thani , and Khon Kaen ), also known as the "big four of Isan." The city is on the Mun River in the southeast of the Isan region of Thailand , and is located 615 km (382 mi) away from Bangkok . It is known as Ubon ( อุบลฯ ) for short. The name means "royal lotus city". Ubon is the administrative center of Ubon Ratchathani Province .
91-809: As of 2006, the urban area of Ubon Ratchathani had a population of about 200,000. This included 85,000 in Thetsaban Nakhon Ubon Ratchathani (Ubon municipality), 30,000 each in Thetsaban Mueang Warin Chamrap (Warin municipality) and Thetsaban Tambon Kham Yai, 24,000 in Thetsaban Tambon Saen Suk, 10,000 each in Thetsaban Tambon Pathum and Tambon Kham Nam Saep, and 6,000 in Thetsaban Tambon Ubon. The city
182-405: A Buddhist monastery called Kosawat Temple (Thai: วัดโกษาวาส) (later, Choengtha Temple (Thai: วัดเชิงท่า)). After seven years, he was sent by his stepfather to serve as a royal page. He studied Hokkien-Chinese , Vietnamese , and several Indian languages , and became fluent in them. It was the time he learnt Vietnamese, he took his name as "Trịnh Quốc Anh". When Sin and his friend Thongduang who
273-623: A dominant language in all aspects of society in Thailand, Thai initially saw gradual and later widespread adoption as a second language among the country's minority ethnic groups from the mid-late Ayutthaya period onward. Ethnic minorities today are predominantly bilingual, speaking Thai alongside their native language or dialect. Standard Thai is classified as one of the Chiang Saen languages—others being Northern Thai , Southern Thai and numerous smaller languages, which together with
364-519: A family shrine were found at Chenghai district in Guangdong province in China in 1921. It is believed that a descendant of Taksin must have sent his clothes to be buried there to conform to Chinese practice. This supports the claim that the place was his father's hometown. Chinese people called it "Tomb of King Zhèng" (鄭王墓), or its official name "Cenotaph of Zhèng Xìn" ( 鄭信衣冠墓 ). It had been included in
455-458: A first rate general in the wars with China and in the suppression of a recent Peguan rising. The war saw Burmese forces pushing into Siamese territory, capturing cities as south as Phitsanulok before the Siamese were able to push back, finally recapturing Chiang Mai in 1776. The war devastated Siam's northern cities, as well as Chiang Mai itself. Chiang Mai was abandoned, remaining deserted for
546-509: A formal submission to the Thonburi Kingdom when he annexed Champasak , but after the withdrawal of Taksin army, he was attacked and killed by troops from Vientiane. This action was instantly regarded by King Taksin as a great insult to him, and at his command, Somdej Chao Phraya Mahakasatsuek invaded Vientiane with an army of 20,000 men in 1778. Laos had been separated into the two principalities of Luang Prabang and Vientiane since
637-533: A four-way distinction among stops and affricates . The maximal four-way occurred in labials ( /p pʰ b ʔb/ ) and denti-alveolars ( /t tʰ d ʔd/ ); the three-way distinction among velars ( /k kʰ ɡ/ ) and palatals ( /tɕ tɕʰ dʑ/ ), with the glottalized member of each set apparently missing. The major change between old and modern Thai was due to voicing distinction losses and the concomitant tone split . This may have happened between about 1300 and 1600 CE, possibly occurring at different times in different parts of
728-655: A future Buddha , expecting to change the color of his blood from red to white. As he started practicing meditation, he even gave lectures to the monks. More seriously, he was provoking schism in Siamese Buddhism by requiring that the monkhood should recognize him as a sotāpanna or "stream-winner"—a person who has embarked on the first of the four stages of enlightenment . Monks who refused to bow to Taksin and worship him as god were demoted in status, and hundreds who refused to worship him as such were flogged and sentenced to menial labor. Economic tension caused by war
819-572: A great city, as he was occupied with suppression of internal and external enemies, as well as territorial expansion throughout his reign. After the sacking of Ayutthaya the country had fallen apart, due to the disappearance of central authority. In addition to Taksin, several local lords had established themselves as rulers in Phimai , Phitsanulok , Fang (Sawangkhaburi, near Uttaradit ), and Nakhon Si Thammarat. From 1768 to 1771, Taksin launched campaigns to subjugate these rivals, and Thonburi emerged as
910-639: A popular version of oral history, he said, "We are going to attack Chanthaburi tonight. Destroy all the food and utensils we have, for we will have our food in Chanthaburi tomorrow morning." On 7 April 1767, Ayutthaya fell to the Burmese. After the destruction of Ayutthaya and the death of the Thai king, the country was split into six parts, with Taksin controlling the east coast. Together with Thongduang, now Chao Phraya Chakri, he eventually managed to drive back
1001-399: A previous Thai king, helped them build a church in 1780. When Ayutthaya fell to the Burmese in 1767, Thai and Chinese sources mentioned that Taksin, then the lord of Tak, broke the Burmese siege and led his troops to Chantaburi . During those years, Chinese Empire had border conflicts with Konbaung Burma. The Burmese invasion into Siam became the warning for Chinese Empire. Taksin, then, sent
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#17327837163651092-688: A royal troupe in Thonburi on the Ayutthaya model. The king wrote four episodes from the Ramakian for the royal troupe to rehearse and perform. When he went north to suppress the Phra Fang faction, he could see that monks in the north were lax and undisciplined. He invited ecclesiastical dignitaries from the capital to teach those monks and brought them back in line with the main teachings of Buddhism. Even though Taksin had applied himself to reforming
1183-493: A suitable base for him to make preparations for the liberation of his motherland. Having thoroughly looted Ayutthaya, the Burmese did not seem to show serious interest in holding the capital of Siam, since they left only a handful of troops under General Suki to control the shattered city. They turned their attention to the north of their own country which was soon threatened with Chinese invasion . On 6 November 1767, having amassed 5,000 troops and built 100 ships, Taksin sailed up
1274-530: A syllable that formerly began with a voiceless consonant (including glottalized stops). An additional complication is that formerly voiceless unaspirated stops/affricates (original /p t k tɕ ʔb ʔd/ ) also caused original tone 1 to lower, but had no such effect on original tones 2 or 3. The above consonant mergers and tone splits account for the complex relationship between spelling and sound in modern Thai. Modern "low"-class consonants were voiced in Old Thai, and
1365-420: A tributary mission to require the royal seal, claiming that the throne of Ayutthaya Kingdom had come to an end. However, his attempt was hindered by Mạc Thiên Tứ (Mo Shilin), the governor of Hà Tiên , whom had thorough knowledge of Chinese diplomatic practices and alleged that Taksin was a usurper. Tứ also offered shelter to Prince Chao Chui, an Ayutthaya prince. The Chinese Court could not help but seize
1456-509: A year, Thai and Burmese soldiers fought fierce battles at the Siege of Ayutthaya . It was during this time that Phraya Vajiraprakarn experienced the setbacks which led him to doubt the value of his endeavors. On 3 January 1767, 3 months before the fall of Ayutthaya, Taksin made his way out of the city at the head of 500 followers to Rayong , on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand . This action
1547-580: Is a Buddhist forest monastery in the Thai Forest Tradition , which was established by Venerable Ajahn Chah Subhaddo in 1954. Ajahn Chah's style of teaching and personality had a notable ability to reach people of other nationalities. Many foreigners came to learn from, train under, and be ordained by Ajahn Chah. Wat Pa Nanachat (International Forest Monastery) was established in 1975. It currently has over fifty monks representing twenty-three nationalities . Other Buddhist temples in and around
1638-605: Is also an active Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) base, the home of 2nd Air Division/21st Wing Air Combat Command. During the Vietnam War, US and Australian squadrons were based here. The town's main bus station is in the northwest of the city, on the Ring Road (Highway 231), 500 m (1,640 ft) west of its intersection with Chayangkun Road (Highway 212) on the outskirts of the city and close to Big C store. Nakhonchai Air operates its own private bus terminal just across from
1729-506: Is based on the register of the educated classes by Central Thai and ethnic minorities in the area along the ring surrounding the Metropolis . In addition to Central Thai, Thailand is home to other related Tai languages . Although most linguists classify these dialects as related but distinct languages, native speakers often identify them as regional variants or dialects of the "same" Thai language, or as "different kinds of Thai". As
1820-557: Is based on the dialect of the central Thai people, and it is written in the Thai script . Hlai languages Kam-Sui languages Kra languages Be language Northern Tai languages Central Tai languages Khamti language Tai Lue language Shan language others Northern Thai language Thai language Southern Thai language Tai Yo language Phuthai language Lao language (PDR Lao, Isan language ) Thai has undergone various historical sound changes. Some of
1911-486: Is the language of television, education, news reporting, and all forms of media. A recent research found that the speakers of the Northern Thai language (also known as Phasa Mueang or Kham Mueang) have become so few, as most people in northern Thailand now invariably speak Standard Thai, so that they are now using mostly Central Thai words and only seasoning their speech with the "Kham Mueang" accent. Standard Thai
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#17327837163652002-483: Is the sole official language of Thailand . Thai is the most spoken of over 60 languages of Thailand by both number of native and overall speakers. Over half of its vocabulary is derived from or borrowed from Pali , Sanskrit , Mon and Old Khmer . It is a tonal and analytic language . Thai has a complex orthography and system of relational markers . Spoken Thai, depending on standard sociolinguistic factors such as age, gender, class, spatial proximity, and
2093-621: The Chakri dynasty , which has since ruled Thailand. In recognition for his deeds, he was later awarded the title of Maharaj (The Great). Taksin was born on 17 April 1734, in Ayutthaya . Taksin had Chinese Teochew , Tai -Chinese and Mon ancestry. His father, Yong Saetae ( Thai : หยง แซ่แต้ ; Chinese : 鄭鏞 Zhèng Yōng ), who worked as a tax-collector, was of ethnic Teochew descent from Chenghai District , Shantou , Guangdong , China . His mother, Nokiang ( Thai : นกเอี้ยง ),
2184-579: The Kingdom of Great Britain sent 1,400 flintlocks along with other goods as gifts to King Taksin. In 1770, natives of Terengganu and Jakarta presented Taksin with 2,200 shotguns . At that time, the Dutch Republic controlled the Java Islands. Simultaneously Taksin was deeply engaged in restoring law and order in the kingdom and administering a public welfare programme. Abuses in
2275-640: The Thonburi Kingdom that ruled Thailand from 1767 to 1782. He had been an aristocrat in the Ayutthaya Kingdom and then was a major leader during the liberation of Siam from Burmese occupation after the Second Fall of Ayutthaya in 1767, and the subsequent unification of Siam after it fell under various warlords. He established the city of Thonburi as the new capital, as the city of Ayutthaya had been almost completely destroyed by
2366-680: The Battle of Bangkaeo (Thai: ยุทธการที่บางแก้ว) in Ratchaburi . Due to starvation, the Burmese army capitulated to Taksin in 1775. Instead of killing all the men, Taksin paraded the prisoners around to boost the morale of his soldiers. Undaunted by this defeat, and aiming to retake Chiang Mai, Hsinbyushin tried again to conquer Siam, and in October 1775 the greatest Burmese invasion in the Thonburi period began under Maha Thiha Thura , known in Thai history as Azaewunky. He had distinguished himself as
2457-566: The Buddhist establishment and among the public were duly rectified and food and clothing and other necessities were distributed to those in need. Taksin was interested in art, including dance and drama. There is evidence that when he went to suppress the Chao Nakhon Si Thammarat faction in 1769, he brought back Chao Nakhon's female dancers. Together with dancers that he had assembled from other places, they trained and set up
2548-462: The Buddhist religion after its period of decline following the loss of Ayutthaya to Burma, gradually bringing it back to the normalcy it enjoyed during the Ayutthaya kingdom, since his reign was so brief he was not able to do very much. The administration of the Sangha during the Thonburi period followed the model established in Ayutthaya, and he allowed French missionaries to enter Thailand, and like
2639-428: The Burmese, defeat his rivals and reunify the country. With his soldiers he moved to Chanthaburi, and being rebuffed by the governor of the town, he made a surprise night attack on it and captured it on 15 June 1767, only two months after the sack of Ayutthaya. His army was rapidly increasing in numbers, as men of Chanthaburi and Trat , which had not been plundered and depopulated by the Burmese, naturally constituted
2730-579: The Chao Phraya River and seized Thonburi opposite present day Bangkok . He executed the puppet Thai governor, Thong-in, whom the Burmese had placed in charge. The taking of Thonburi was quite easy due to the garrison being Thai. He followed up his victory quickly by attacking the main Burmese camp numbering 3,000 men, led by General Suki (สุกี้) at the Battle of Pho Sam Ton (Thai: โพธิ์สามต้น) near Ayutthaya. The Burmese were defeated, General Suki
2821-770: The Chinese merchants. The opposition was led mainly by the Bunnags , a merchant-aristocratic family of Persian origin, successors of Ayutthaya's minister of Ports and Finance, or Phra Klang Later, Thonburi ordered some guns from England. Royal letters were exchanged and in 1777 the Viceroy of British Raj Madras , George Stratton, sent a gold scabbard decorated with gems to King Taksin. Thai galleons travelled to Portuguese colony of Surat , in Goa , India. However, formal diplomatic relations were not formed. In 1776, Francis Light of
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2912-503: The Chinese to settle in Siam, principally those from Chaoshan , partly with the intention to revive the stagnating economy and upgrading the local workforce. He had to fight almost constantly for most of his reign to maintain the independence of his country. As the economic influence of the immigrant Chinese community grew with time, many aristocrats, whom he took in from the Ayutthaya nobility, began to turn against him for having allied with
3003-458: The Chinese trade provided the foodstuffs and goods needed for the warfare that enabled Taksin to build up his fledgling state. In the long run, it produced income that could be used "to defray the expenses of the state and for the upkeep of the individual royal, noble, and wealthy commercial families." As one contemporary observed, François Henri Turpin (1771), under the famine conditions of 1767–1768 : A tomb containing Taksin's clothes and
3094-708: The Governor of Nangrong , who had rebelled against the King Taksin. The army under Chao Phraya Chakri was ordered to move against the rebel, who was caught and executed. Having received reinforcements under Chao Phraya Surasi , he advanced to Champasak, where the rulers, Chao O and his deputy, were captured and summarily beheaded. Champasak was conquered by Siam, and as a result of Chao Phraya Chakri's successful campaign Taksin promoted him to Somdej Chao Phraya Mahakasatsuek Piluekmahima Tuknakara Ra-adet ( Thai :สมเด็จเจ้าพระยามหากษัตริย์ศึก พิลึกมหึมาทุกนคราระอาเดช) (meaning
3185-572: The Great ( Thai : สมเด็จพระเจ้าตากสินมหาราช , RTGS : Somdet Phra Chao Taksin Maharat , listen ) or the King of Thonburi ( Thai : สมเด็จพระเจ้ากรุงธนบุรี , RTGS : Somdet Phra Chao Krung Thon Buri ; simplified Chinese : 郑昭 ; traditional Chinese : 鄭昭 ; pinyin : Zhèng Zhāo ; Teochew : Dên Chao; 17 April 1734 – 7 April 1782) was the only king of
3276-504: The Khmer system first before the Thai borrowed. Old Thai had a three-way tone distinction on "live syllables" (those not ending in a stop), with no possible distinction on "dead syllables" (those ending in a stop, i.e. either /p/, /t/, /k/ or the glottal stop that automatically closes syllables otherwise ending in a short vowel). There was a two-way voiced vs. voiceless distinction among all fricative and sonorant consonants, and up to
3367-677: The Northwestern Tai and Lao-Phutai languages, form the Southwestern branch of Tai languages . The Tai languages are a branch of the Kra–Dai language family , which encompasses a large number of indigenous languages spoken in an arc from Hainan and Guangxi south through Laos and Northern Vietnam to the Cambodian border. Standard Thai is the principal language of education and government and spoken throughout Thailand. The standard
3458-491: The Thai-speaking area. All voiced–voiceless pairs of consonants lost the voicing distinction: However, in the process of these mergers, the former distinction of voice was transferred into a new set of tonal distinctions. In essence, every tone in Old Thai split into two new tones, with a lower-pitched tone corresponding to a syllable that formerly began with a voiced consonant, and a higher-pitched tone corresponding to
3549-775: The Thonburi Kingdom. Nothing definite is known about the origin of the celebrated Emerald Buddha. It is believed that this image was carved from green jasper by an artist or artists in northern India about two thousand years ago. It was taken to Ceylon and then to Chiang Rai of Lan Na kingdom where it was, in 1434, found intact in a chedi which had been struck by lightning. As an object of great veneration among Thai Buddhists, it had been deposited in monasteries in Chiang Rai , Chiang Mai , Luang Prabang , Vientiane , Thonburi , and later Bangkok . When King Taksin established Thonburi as his capital, people were living in abject poverty, and food and clothing were scarce. The King Taksin
3640-674: The beginning of the 18th century. The Prince of Luang Prabang, who was at odds with the Prince of Vientiane, submitted to Siam for his own safety, bringing his men to join Somdej Chao Phraya Mahakasatsuek in besieging Vientiane. After the siege of Vientiane which took about four months, Thaksin's took Vientiane, sacked the city, and carried off the images of Emerald Buddha and Phra Bang to Thonburi. The Prince of Vientiane managed to escape and went into exile. Thus Luang Prabang and Vientiane became tributary state of
3731-470: The chance by asking Taksin, as a 'new vassal', to be her ally in the war against the Burmese. Eventually Chinese Court approved the royal status of Taksin as the new king of Siam. A considerable contribution to his success came from the Teochew Chinese trading community of the region, on whom Taksin was able to call by virtue of his paternal relations; he was half-Teochew himself. In the short run,
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3822-552: The city include Wat Thung Si Muang ( Thai : วัดทุ่งศรีเมือง ), in the center of the city, featuring an old wooden library on stilts in a small lake, and Wat Nong Bua near the Big C mall, featuring a chedi modelled on Bodh Gaya in India. There are two major high schools in the central part of Ubon Ratchathani. These two schools are more than 100 years old. As well as being a commercial facility, Ubon Ratchathani Airport (IATA: UBP)
3913-415: The city of Ayutthaya had suffered such destruction that to restore it to its former state would have strained his resources. The Burmese were quite familiar with Ayutthaya's vulnerabilities, and in the event of renewal of a Burmese attack on it, the troops under the liberator would be inadequate for effective defense of the city. With these considerations in mind, he established his capital at Thonburi , which
4004-465: The city of Phichai, beginning a series of campaigns over Siam's northern cities (Sukhothai , Phitsanulok ). In 1772, after finishing his campaign in Luang Phrabang, Nemyo Thihapate attacked the city of Phichai, but was repelled. In 1773, Nemyo Thihapate attacked the city of Phichai again. During the siege, a commander named Phraya Phichai fought the Burmese until his sword broke. For that, he
4095-541: The coup through arrests, investigations and punishments. Peace was then restored in the capital. Thai language Thai , or Central Thai (historically Siamese ; Thai: ภาษาไทย ), is a Tai language of the Kra–Dai language family spoken by the Central Thai , Mon , Lao Wiang , Phuan people in Central Thailand and the vast majority of Thai Chinese enclaves throughout the country. It
4186-693: The day, although nights remain warm. Ubon Ratchathani is best known for its annual Candle Festival , held in July to mark the beginning of the rainy season retreat for Buddhists , Wan Khao Phansa, also called Buddhist Lent. One day prior, candles are taken to Thung Si Mueang, the central park in the middle of the city; the park is decorated and exhibited in the evening. On the same evening, there are many smaller processions during which candles are carried to practically all Buddhist temples in Thailand. The main procession in Ubon Ratchathani takes place early
4277-440: The forces of nature were under his control when he was destined to succeeded, and this faith led him to attempt and achieve tasks which to another man would seem impossible. Like Napoleon III , he was a man of destiny." The king elected not return to Ayutthaya but instead to make his capital at Thonburi, which being only 20 kilometers from the sea, was much better suited to seaborne commerce. He never really had time to build it into
4368-405: The governor of Phitsanulok to meet up with Phraya Kawila, the ruler of Lampang to retake Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai was retaken, but due to constant wars, it was heavily devastated and remained abandoned for 15 years until it was rebuilt 15 years later. In 1777, the ruler of Champasak , which was at that time an independent principality bordering the eastern frontier of the Thonburi Kingdom, supported
4459-538: The influence of Lao architecture . The city has branches of the National Archives of Thailand and National Museum of Thailand . The world-famous meditation teacher Ajahn Chah , teacher of Ajahn Sumedho , was born in Ubon Ratchathani. The elevation is 410 ft (125 m). It is 615 km (382 mi) from Bangkok. Ubon Ratchathani sits on the north bank of the Mun River . The south bank of
4550-570: The invaders. His reign was characterized by numerous wars; he fought to repel new Burmese invasions and to subjugate the northern Thai kingdom of Lanna , the Laotian principalities , and threatening Cambodia . Although warfare occupied most of Taksin's reign, he paid a great deal of attention to politics, administration, economy, and the welfare of the country. He promoted trade and fostered relations with foreign countries. He had roads built and canals dug. Apart from restoring and renovating temples,
4641-498: The king attempted to revive literature, and various branches of the arts such as drama, painting, architecture and handicrafts. He also issued regulations for the collection and arrangement of various texts to promote education and religious studies. He was taken in a coup d'état and executed, and succeeded by his long-time friend Maha Ksatriyaseuk , who then assumed the throne, founding the Rattanakosin Kingdom and
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#17327837163654732-413: The letters of a French missionary who was in Thonburi at the time support the accounts of the monarch's peculiar behavior which reported that "He (Taksin) passed all his time in prayer, fasting, and meditation, in order by these means to be able to fly through the air." Again, the missionaries describe the situation: Thus the terms 'insanity' or 'madness' possibly were the contemporary definition describing
4823-480: The liberator was so pleased that he promoted him to be Phra Mahamontri. Just after his coronation, Taksin secured the service of Luang Yokkrabut on the recommendation of Phra Mahamontri (Thai: พระมหามนตรี) and as he was equally familiar with him as with his brother, he raised him to be Phra Rajwarin. Having rendered service to the king during his campaigns or their own expeditions against the enemies, Phra Rajwarin (Thai: พระราชวรินทร์) and Phra Mahamontri rose so quickly in
4914-500: The list of Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at Chenghai District ( 澄海區文物保護單位 ) since 5 December 1984. Princess Sirindhorn had visited the tomb in 1998. Now the nearby area is opened to the public as Zheng Emperor Taksin Park ( 鄭皇達信公園 ). Thai historians indicate that the strain on him took its toll, and the king started to become a religious fanatic. In 1781 Taksin showed increasing signs of mental trouble. He believed himself to be
5005-528: The local patois as pronounced in Guangdong Ayutthaya , the old capital of Thailand from 1351 - 1767 A.D., was from the beginning a bilingual society, speaking Thai and Khmer . Bilingualism must have been strengthened and maintained for some time by the great number of Khmer-speaking captives the Thais took from Angkor Thom after their victories in 1369, 1388 and 1431. Gradually toward the end of
5096-755: The main bus station. The eastern terminus of the north-eastern railway line from Hua Lamphong Railway Station , Bangkok's central station, is in Warin Chamrap . The rail-head reached Warin in April 1930. The terminal station is called Ubon Ratchathani, but is in Warin Chamrap municipality, which is south of Ubon Ratchathani. Ubon Ratchathani is twinned with: 15°13′41″N 104°51′34″E / 15.22806°N 104.85944°E / 15.22806; 104.85944 Taksin King Taksin
5187-467: The monarch's actions: according to the following Rattanakosin era accounts, King Taksin was described as 'insane.' However, with the Burmese threat still prevalent a strong ruler was needed on the throne. Finally a faction led by Phraya San (or Phraya San, Phraya Sankhaburi) seized the capital. A coup d'état removing Taksin from the throne consequently took place, Phraya San attacked Thonburi and took control within one night. King Taksin surrendered to
5278-551: The most significant changes occurred during the evolution from Old Thai to modern Thai. The Thai writing system has an eight-century history and many of these changes, especially in consonants and tones, are evidenced in the modern orthography . According to a Chinese source, during the Ming dynasty , Yingya Shenglan (1405–1433), Ma Huan reported on the language of the Xiānluó (暹羅) or Ayutthaya Kingdom, saying that it somewhat resembled
5369-413: The new center of power within Siam. During Taksin's reign, Taksin is recorded to have waged 9 campaigns against Burma: In 1767, Hsinbyushin sent an army of 2,000 men under the command of Maengki Manya (Thai: แมงกี้มารหญ้า), the governor of Tavoy to invade Siam after Taksin as established Thonburi as the capital. The Burmese army advanced to the district of Bang Kung in the province of Samut Songkram to
5460-450: The next fifteen years. Its remaining inhabitants were transplanted to Lampang, where Kawila was established to rule over Lan Na as a Siamese vassal. In 1776, the new Burmese king, Singu Min , ordered 6,000 troops to attack Chiang Mai. Phraya Wichienprakarn considered that Chiang Mai did not have many troops to that can protect the city therefore allowing people to migrate down to the city of Sawankhalok. Taksin ordered Maha Sura Singhanat,
5551-437: The next morning. The events are marked by ceremonies and processions in the form of large-scale, colourful parades of magnificent floats with huge, extravagant candlewax sculptures, Thai traditional dance and music. The province is known for its strong Buddhist tradition, particularly the practice of monks dwelling in the forest ( Thai : พระธุดงค์ Phra thudong , pilgrimage, lit. "hiking monk"). Wat Nong Pah Pong , for example,
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#17327837163655642-424: The noble ranks that a few years after, the former was created Chao Phraya Chakri, the rank of the chancellor, while the latter became Chao Phraya Surasi . On 28 December 1767, Taksin was crowned King of Siam at Thonburi Palace in Thonburi ("Krung Thonburi Sri Maha Samut"), the new capital of Siam, yet had Siam official documents still used the official name of " Krung Pra Maha Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya ". He assumed
5733-424: The northern frontier with Lanna, whose capital Chiang Mai , under Burmese rule, served as launching bases for Burmese incursions. A prerequisite for the maintenance of peace in that region would therefore be the complete expulsion of the Burmese from Chiang Mai. In 1770, Taksin started his first expedition to capture Chiang Mai, but he was pushed back. In 1771, the Burmese governor of Chiang Mai launched an attack on
5824-469: The official name of " Borommaracha IV " and " Phra Sri Sanphet X ", but is known to Thai history as King Taksin, a combination of his popular name, "Phraya Tak", and his first name, "Sin", or the King of Thonburi. At the time of his coronation, he was only 34 years of age. W. A. R. Wood (1924) observed that Taksin's father was Chinese or partly Chinese, and his mother Siamese, and he said, "He believed that even
5915-415: The period, a language shift took place. Khmer fell out of use. Both Thai and Khmer descendants whose great-grand parents or earlier ancestors were bilingual came to use only Thai. In the process of language shift, an abundance of Khmer elements were transferred into Thai and permeated all aspects of the language. Consequently, the Thai of the late Ayutthaya Period which later became Ratanakosin or Bangkok Thai,
6006-522: The rebels without resistance, and requested to be allowed to join the monkhood in Wat Chaeng (Wat Arun). However, the disturbance in Thonburi widely spread, with killing and looting prevalent. When the coup occurred, General Chao Phraya Chakri was away fighting in Cambodia , but he quickly returned to the Thai capital following being informed of the coup. Upon reaching the capital, the general ended
6097-639: The reign of King Ekkathat . Nokiang's father was a Tai commoner. Impressed by the boy, Mut, the Chaophraya Chakri [ th ] who was the Grand Chancellor of Civil Affairs ( Thai : สมุหนายก , RTGS : Samuhanayok ) in King Boromakot 's reign, adopted him and gave him the Thai name Sin (สิน) meaning money or treasure. When he was seven, Sin was assigned to a monk named Thongdi to begin his education in
6188-506: The river is occupied by the suburb of Warin Chamrap (Warin for short), which is effectively incorporated into the city. Ubon Ratchathani has a tropical wet and dry climate ( Köppen climate classification Aw ). Winters are dry and very warm. Temperatures rise until April with an average daily maximum of 36.4 °C (97.5 °F). The monsoon season runs from late April to October, with heavy rain and somewhat cooler temperatures during
6279-492: The royal vocabulary according to their immediate environment. Thai and Pali, the latter from Theravada Buddhism, were added to the vocabulary. An investigation of the Ayutthaya Rajasap reveals that three languages, Thai, Khmer and Khmero-Indic were at work closely both in formulaic expressions and in normal discourse. In fact, Khmero-Indic may be classified in the same category as Khmer because Indic had been adapted to
6370-568: The sacking of Ayutthaya, was ennobled as Luang Yokkrabat , taking charge of royal surveillance, serving the Governor of Ratchaburi , and Bunma had a court title conferred upon him as Nai Sudchinda. Luang Yokkrabat (Thongduang) was therefore not in Ayutthaya to witness the fall of the city, while Nai Sudchinda (Bunma) made his escape from Ayutthaya. However, while King Taksin was assembling his forces at Chanthaburi, Nai Sudchinda brought his retainers to join him, thus helping to increase his fighting strength. Due to his previous acquaintance with him,
6461-546: The self-appointed local nobles were two personalities who subsequently played important roles in Thai history. They were the sons of an official bearing the title of Phra Acksonsuntornsmiantra ( Thai : พระอักษรสุนทรเสมียนตรา ). The elder son was named Thongduang (Thai: ทองด้วง). He was born in 1737 in Ayutthaya and later was to be the founder of the Chakri Dynasty , while the younger one, Bunma (Thai: บุญมา), born six years later, served as his deputy. Thongduang, prior to
6552-474: The supreme Chao Phraya, Great Warrior-King who was so remarkably powerful that every city was afraid of his might) —the highest title of nobility that a commoner could achieve. In Vientiane , a Minister of State, Pra Woh [ de ] , had rebelled against the ruling prince and fled to the Champasak territory, where he set himself up at Donmotdang, near the present city of Ubon Ratchathani . He made
6643-540: The survivors of the Burma Railway . One legacy of this is a monument in the city's central Thung Si Meuang Park, erected by British prisoners of war in gratitude to the citizens of Ubon Ratchathani for assisting them. During the Vietnam War , United States armed forces constructed Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base , which is now also a dual-use commercial airport . Some of the city's religious buildings show
6734-535: The terminology "low" reflects the lower tone variants that resulted. Modern "mid"-class consonants were voiceless unaspirated stops or affricates in Old Thai—precisely the class that triggered lowering in original tone 1 but not tones 2 or 3. Modern "high"-class consonants were the remaining voiceless consonants in Old Thai (voiceless fricatives, voiceless sonorants, voiceless aspirated stops). The three most common tone "marks" (the lack of any tone mark, as well as
6825-406: The troops and retreat to Chanthaburi. His successes against competitors for power were due to Taksin's abilities as a warrior, his leadership, valor, and effective organization of his forces. Usually he put himself in the front rank in an encounter with the enemy, thus inspiring his men. Among the officials who cast their fate with him during the campaigns for independence and for the elimination of
6916-423: The two marks termed mai ek and mai tho ) represent the three tones of Old Thai, and the complex relationship between tone mark and actual tone is due to the various tonal changes since then. Since the tone split, the tones have changed in actual representation to the point that the former relationship between lower and higher tonal variants has been completely obscured. Furthermore, the six tones that resulted after
7007-508: The urban/rural divide, is partly mutually intelligible with Lao , Isan , and some fellow Thai topolects . These languages are written with slightly different scripts, but are linguistically similar and effectively form a dialect continuum . Thai language is spoken by over 69 million people (2020). Moreover, most Thais in the northern (Lanna) and the northeastern (Isan) parts of the country today are bilingual speakers of Central Thai and their respective regional dialects because Central Thai
7098-423: The west of the new capital, but was routed by the Thai king in the Battle of Bang Kung in 1767, which is also the site of Wat Bang Kung . When more Chinese troops invaded Burma, Hsinbyushin was forced to recall most of his troops back to resist the Chinese. In 1770, Thado Mindin, the governor of Chiang Mai, attacked Sawankhalok. Thado Mindin was repelled by Phraya Surasi. Taksin launched campaigns to stabilize
7189-453: Was a thorough mixture of Thai and Khmer. There were more Khmer words in use than Tai cognates. Khmer grammatical rules were used actively to coin new disyllabic and polysyllabic words and phrases. Khmer expressions, sayings, and proverbs were expressed in Thai through transference. Thais borrowed both the Royal vocabulary and rules to enlarge the vocabulary from Khmer. The Thais later developed
7280-419: Was also a descendant of Mon aristocratic family were Buddhist novices, they reportedly met a Chinese fortune-teller who told them that both had lucky lines in their hands and would both become kings. Neither took it seriously, but Thongduang would become the successor of King Taksin, called Rama I . After taking the vows of a Buddhist monk for about three years, Sin joined the service of King Ekkathat and
7371-507: Was also the administrative center of the monthon Isan. Until 1972, Ubon Ratchathani was the largest province of Thailand by area. Yasothon Province was split off from Ubon Ratchathani Province in 1972, followed by Amnat Charoen Province in 1993. Ubon Ratchathani Province now ranks fifth in area. The city was attacked by French forces during the 1940 Franco-Thai War . Ubon grew extensively during World War II when Japanese forces brought in prisoners of war by rail from Kanchanaburi ,
7462-522: Was closer to the sea. Not only would Thonburi be difficult to invade by land, it would also prevent an acquisition of weapons and military supplies by anyone ambitious enough to establish himself as an independent prince further up the Chao Phraya River . As Thonburi was a small town, Taksin's available forces, both soldiers and sailors, could man its fortifications, and if he found it impossible to hold it against an enemy attack, he could embark
7553-399: Was first deputy governor and later governor of Tak , which gained him his name Phraya Tak , the governor of Tak. In 1765, when the Burmese attacked Ayutthaya , Phraya Taksin defended the capital, for which he was given the title Phraya Wachiraprakan of Kamphaeng Phet . However, he did not have a chance to govern Kamphaeng Phet because the country was in a dire situation. For more than
7644-466: Was founded in the late 18th century by Thao Kham Phong, descendant of Phra Wo and Phra Ta, who escaped from King Siribunsan of Vientiane into the Siam Kingdom during the reign of King Taksin the Great. Later, Thao Kham Phong was appointed to be " Phra Pathum Wongsa [ th ] " (Thai: พระประทุมวงศา) and the first ruler of Ubon Ratchathani. In 1792, Ubon Ratchathani became a province and
7735-409: Was given the epithet, "Phraya Phichai Dap Hak", which translates to "Phraya Phichai with the broken sword". In 1774, Taksin led an army to attack Chiang Mai for the second time. The city was taken. Lanna, which had been under Burmese rule for over 200 years, had fallen to the Siamese. In the same year, Hsinbyushin sent an army of 5,000 men to attack Siam. It was completely surrounded by the Thais at
7826-431: Was killed in the fighting, and Taksin won back Ayutthaya from the enemy within seven months of its destruction. King Taksin took important steps to show that he was a worthy successor to the throne. He ensured appropriate treatment to the remnants of the ex-royal family, arranged a grand cremation of the remains of the former ruler Ekkathat , and tackled the problem of establishing the capital. Taksin likely realized that
7917-492: Was never adequately explained, as the royal compound and Ayutthaya proper was on an island. How Taksin and his followers fought their way out of the Burmese encirclement remains a mystery. He travelled first to Chonburi , a town on the Gulf of Thailand's eastern coast, and then to Rayong , where he raised a small army and his supporters began to address him as Prince Tak . He planned to attack and capture Chanthaburi , according to
8008-614: Was of Mon -Tai descent (and was later appointed to establish the royal title of the Princess Mother Thephamat). Nokiang's mother was a Mon noblewoman who was a younger sister to Phraya Phetburi ( personal name : Roeang) and Phraya Ram Chaturon (personal name: Chuan). Phraya Phetburi (Roeang) was governor of Phetburi , then the Mon population center and royal naval base in King Boromakot 's reign. Phraya Ram Chaturon (Chuan) served as chief of Siam's Mon community during
8099-686: Was restored. The economy of the country gradually recovered. Taksin sent three diplomatic envoys to China in 1767. In the first year of his reign, Qing dynasty denied his envoys due to him not being an heir apparent from Ban Phlu Luang Dynasty and the two Princes, Chui and Sisang, were political Asylum seekers in Hà Tiên . Six years later, China recognized Taksin as the legitimate ruler of Siam in 1772. The record dating from 1777 states: "Important goods from Thailand are amber , gold , colored rocks , gold nuggets, gold dust, semi-precious stones, and hard lead." During this time King Taksin actively encouraged
8190-456: Was serious. As famine spread, looting and crimes were widespread. Corrupt officials were reportedly abundant. According to some sources, many oppressions and abuses made by officials were reported. King Taksin punished them harshly, torturing and executing high officials. Discontent among officials could be expected. Several historians have suggested that the tale of his 'insanity' may have been reconstructed as an excuse for his overthrow. However,
8281-431: Was well aware of the plight of his subjects, so in order to legitimize his claim for the kingdom, he made economic problems his priority. He paid high prices for rice from his own money to induce foreign traders to bring in adequate amounts of basic necessities to satisfy the need of the people. He then distributed rice and clothing to all his starving subjects. People who had been dispersed came back to their homes. Normalcy
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