Mueang Soi

The ruins of Mueang Soi have been submerged since 1964 due to the operation of the Bhumibol Dam.

History

Before the establishment of the Lan Na Kingdom, the northern region of Thailand was dotted with small city-states scattered along the plains of major rivers. Each state had its king and had its own unique local culture, depending on the local potential. Records on Mueang Soi has been proved its existence during 1126–1767. Its territory covered lower Mae Tuen (แม่ตื่น) and Ping River Basins in the present-day Sam Ngao district, Tak province.

Mueang Soi was built by Phaya Patummarat (พยาปาตุมมะราช). In the 14th century, Chao New Mue Ngam (เจ้านิ้วมืองาม), King of the neighboring city-state of Li, also enthroned as the king of Mueang Soi. This possibly due to the royal intermarriage.

Mueang Soi was destroyed by the Burmese troops and left abandoned in the 18th century due to the Burmese–Siamese wars. Its last ruler was Phaya Uttum (พญาอุตตุม). However, some scholars state Mueang Soi was destroyed earlier during the siege of Lan Na by King Naresuan of the Ayutthaya Kingdom in the late 16th century; Mueang Soi was then an Ayutthaya's vassal.