A STUDY OF THAILAND AND LAOS RELATIONS THROUGH THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE VIENTIANE SISAKET TEMPLE AND THE RATTANAKOSIN EMERALD BUDDHA TEMPLE By Suwaphat Sregongsang A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Program of Architectural Heritage Management and Tourism (International Program) Graduate School SILPAKORN UNIVERSITY 2010 A STUDY OF THAILAND AND LAOS RELATIONS THROUGH THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE VIENTIANE SISAKET TEMPLE AND THE RATTANAKOSIN EMERALD BUDDHA TEMPLE By Suwaphat Sregongsang A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Program of Architectural Heritage Management and Tourism (International Program) Graduate School SILPAKORN UNIVERSITY 2010 The Graduate School, Silpakom University has approved and accredited the Thesis title of "A Study ofThailand and Laos Relations Ihrouglt the Perspective of the Vientiane Sisaket Temple and the Rattanakosin Emerald Buddha Temple" submitted by Mt'suwaphat Sregongsang as a partial fulfillment of the requirements for tbe degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Architectural Heritage Management and Tourism ............................................................................. Qi ~~ (Assistant Professo~ anjai Tantatsana g, Ph.D,) ~,,~~~~/~~~.1 () The Thesis Advisor Professor Ross KING, Ph,D, ,~.~i:irman . .(~~:.~~.:.~~~rattasomphob, Ph.D.) .. 1~m...."~ ~ember (Pumin Varavarn, Ph.D.) . "'.I.'±.j.....s.t:pr......... ./.,~.(9.. .... P~1!.~.,. ...,.,. .... ,. ..... Member (Professor Ross King, Ph.D.) .....t!t... j .. ,.~........,..../...~J.O,. 49056958: MAJOR: ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE MANAGEMENT AND TOURISM KEY WORD: THAILAND AND LAOS RELAT10NSNIENTIANE SISAKET TEMPLEI RATTANAKOSIN EMERALD BUDDHA TEMPLE SUWAPHAT SREGONGSANG: A STUDY OF THAILAND AND LAOS RELATIONS THROUGH THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE VIENTIANE SISAKET TEMPLE AND HIE RATTANAKOSIN EMERALD BUDDHA TEMPLE. THESIS ADVISOR: PROF. ROSS KING, Ph.D.. 157pp. The study of Thailand and Laos relations through the perspectives of Vientiane Sisaket temple and Rattanakosin Emerald Buddha temple is to investigate (I) the relations between the Siam and Lao kingdoms in the Sukhothai period, the Ayulthaya period, and early Rattanakosin period (Kings Rama I-III) (2) the relations between architectural characteristics of an emblematic temple in the early Raltanakosin era (Emerald Buddha temple) and an emblematic temple in Vientiane (Sisaket temple) and (3) Laotian perspectives towards Siam through an interpretation of the Sisaket temple and King Anuvong. (the Lao ethnocentric view). The method of "investigation for this study is qualitative, involving in part a descriptive analysis of data obtained from semi-structured interviews with a group of people who are involved in the area and primary data from Thai and Lao chronicles in the National Archives of Thailand and the Lao National Library. For secondary data there are the books about history, religion, and architecture from libraries in Thailand and Lao Vientiane. The study fuund that (I) the relations between the Siam and Lao kingdoms in that period was not smoodl due to the political situation, where Lao kings had to strengthen efforts to liberate their kingdom from being annexed to Siam While Siamese kings tried to maintain their authority over the Lao states, especially Vientiane. The war between Vientiane and Bangkok which aimed for liberation could not be avoided. In 1827-1828, the war began and finished with the Bangkok triumph. As a result, Vientiane was destroyed. Lao properties, people, and valuable commodities were removed to Bangkok. However, one important building still survived from the destruction, namely Sisaket temple. This temple was built in the reign of King Anuvong, designed with a Bangkok temple architectural model. (2) The construction of Sisaket Temple yielded the only temple in Vientiane that was built almost similar to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok in that time. King Anuvong was One of the Lao Vientiane nobles arrested in Bangkok and he spent much time in Bangkok and had close relations with King Rama II. When comparing the two temples, there are many elements that are similar in form, such as the form of building pediments, roof, struts to support projected eaves joists, cloister, column, terrace surrounding the main chapel, mondop style of the window and door frames, ceiling decoration, capitals, and the paintings of the interior murals. (3) The relations between King Anuvong and Sisaket temple construction policy could be linked to the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred object of Thai and Lao kings to legitimate their authority both in terms of polities and society. The history of the Emerald Buddha is a story of both fantasy and reality as a guardian of the Thai and Lao nation. This gives the Emerald Buddha mystical powers that awe the faithful and are all part of a mythology surrounded by mystery and ceremony. With the Indian conception of sacred kingship, wherever Buddhism has prevailed as was the case in Thailand and Laos, these beliefs were modified so that the ruler was viewed as a Bodhisatta or "Future Buddha" rather than a god. These traditions formed the basis for the Siamese and Lao kings' quest to obtain divine status and the claim of having acquired the physical marks of a Buddha King Anuvong spent time in Bangkok as a political hostage. Although the problem of this study is that the details of the history are unclear and there is no obvious evidence to show that why Sisaket temple could survive during the war, at least this temple could be posed as the representation of King Anuvong and his yearning for liberty and his faith of the Emerald Buddha through the standing of this holy place. Program of Architectural Heri~age~ Tourism Graduate School, Silpakom University Academic Year 2010 Stud:nt's si~atur~ ...,/.,.,.7."&...............""".. ThesIs AdVIsors sIgnature ..... ~\~............... c Acknowledgements This dissertation cannot be successful if Professor Ross King does not spend his useful time to take care and suggest useful recommendations. I would like to express my deep appreciation and gratitude to Professor Ross King again. I would like to thank Ubon Ratchathani University and the Office of Higher Education Commission who provide the scholarship for me to study in Architectural Heritage Management and Tourism Program in the Faculty of Architecture, Silpakorn University. The important person is Professor Emeritus Trungjai Buranasomphob who established this program and provided useful opportunities for Ph.D. students. Contribute and support from many people helped me in complete of this dissertation. I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to them. The encouragements from my friends and key informants in Vientiane are important for me to complete this dissertation. I would like to thank Mr.Phothong Phouthachant, the officer of the Department of Museum and Culture and Ms.Manilay Thiphalansy in Vientiane who take care me throughout the duration when I stay in Vientiane for data collection. Key informants are Mr.Thongsa Xayyavong, the head of the Department of Museums and Archeology, Abbot Wate Masenai, the head monk in Sisaket temple, Mrs. Chayphet Sayarath, Lao architect, and independent scholar and Mr.Boonleum Seesurat, Mr.Apichaiyadat Insrichiangmai, and Mrs.Wanpengsuk Insrichiangmai as Lao lecturers in the faculty of Architect, National University of Laos who provide a chance to me to interview for searching necessary information. I appreciate to pay thank for M.R.Pumin Varavarn, Ph.D. for his some suggestions in the method of dissertation conducting. My personal appreciations are due to Asst.Prof.Boonyasarit Aneksuk, Ms.Chukwan Borisuth, Ms.Sippanan Nuan-laong and my friends for helping, encouragement, and spiritual support throughout my study. My heart feel thanks go to my family for their understanding, encouragement, support, love, and patience. Mrs.Patchanee Jaisiri, Mrs.Thita Sanseina, Mrs.Niyom Jamwan, Mr.Pawarit Jaisiri, Mr.Thongchai Vivong, and Ms.Jiraporn Jaisiri who pay their love and inspiration to me all study. My love is Ms.Acharaporn Sopawan who always encourages and takes care of me throughout study Ph.D. program. d Table of Contents Page Abstract ............................................................................................................................................ c Acknowledgments............................................................................................................................ d List of Figures ................................................................................................................................. g List of Tables.................................................................................................................................... h Chapter 1 Introduction and Research Methodology ............................................................................. 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 1 Subject of Inquiry…………………………………………………………………….. 5 Significance of Sisaket temple in Vientiane………………………………………….. 5 Research Problems……………………………………………………………………. 8 Research Questions…………………………………………………………………… 9 Scope of Inquiry……………………………………………………………………… 10 Method of Investigation……………………………………………………………… 10 The significance of the research……………………………………………………… 12 Research organization………………………………………………………………… 13 Glossary……………………………………..……………………………………….