Phayu (ผายู)

Thai. Name of the seventh King of Lan Na, who reigned between 1337 and 1355 AD, though counted as the fifth or sixth according to other sources. He was a great grandson of King Mengrai (fig.). In ca. 1334, his father Kham Fu (คำฟู) appointed Phayu as ruler of the capital Chiang Mai, while he himself remained in Chiang Saen to defend the country to the north. Since Chiang Saen was adequately equipped, Phayu could remain in Chiang Mai to overlook the incorporation of Phayao, which had been taken by his father, into the Lan Na Kingdom. After the death of Kham Fu, Phayu was crowned in Chiang Mai after ancient rite and had the temple Wat Phra Singh (fig.) built in the capital, where he buried the remains of his father. As King, Phayu made ties to neighboring dominions by means of marriage politics. He married Chitrathewi (จิตราเทวี), a princess from Chiang Khong (เชียงของ), southeast of Chiang Saen. He promoted and protected Buddhism, and acted according to the ten virtues of a dhammaracha. He is fully known as Phaya Phayu and passed away at the age of 57. Also transliterated Pha Yu. See also LIST OF THAI KINGS. 回