Sukhothai Kingdom (1257 – 1438)
King Ramkhamhaeng the
Great (1279 – 1319) expanded the Sukhothai kingdom in all directions through
his astute foreign policy, comprising the complementary elements of national defense
and expansionism. The great king, as well as his successors, fearlessly fought
in the front line along his brave warriors in all battles, inspiring his troops
to decisive victories throughout his reign.
The peacetime kingdom saw
soldiers conduct themselves as law-abiding citizens. When the kingdom was at
war, all physically fit males became soldiers in defense of their motherland.
Though a mighty warrior,
King Ramkhamhaeng extended his paternal love to all his subjects. And, to
express his concern for their happiness and well-being, he introduced the
acclaimed paternalistic system with the king, despite his absolute power,
maintaining a father-son relationship with his subordinates across the kingdom.
The king was always mindful of his subjects’problems and needs.
Unlike the Khmer rulers
who, by virtue of their diving right, would stretch their absolute power to the
full, King Ramkhamhaeng, firm and yet benign, was adored for his righteousness
and for his boundless love and care for all his subjects.
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