It is believed Vientiane was first established on the right hand bank of the Mekong River. The remains of a 157km city wall, starting in the Phouphane mountain ranges of Nong Boualamphou province and ending in the Tha Boor district of Nong Khai province in Thailand, can still be found. When Phra That Bangphouane Stupa in Nong Khai collapsed in 1970, six Buddha images dating back to 1575 before the reign of King Saysetthathiraj I were found. The words “Chanthabouli Rajathany” were found inscribed on a column in Vat Denemeuang which was built in 1535, showing the former territory of Vientiane covered both banks of the Mekong. It is believed That Dam was built after the naga king Phraya Milinthanak dug a hole and covered it with the stupa to trick invaders. The nagas poured magic saliva on the stupa and it became dark, thus it is now known as That Dam or Black Stupa. King Saysetthathiraj was the son of King Phothisarat and Chao Ying Yotkhamthip, daughter of Phrachao Ketkhao who ruled the Lanna kingdom. King Saysetthathiraj governed the Lanna kingdom for two years before beginning his rule of Vientiane in 1551, when he brought the emerald Buddha statue to the city. He built a golden house and pagoda for the emerald Buddha image and declared Vientiane (or Chanthabouly Sittattanakhanahood Outtama Rajathany) as the capital of the Lane Xang kingdom. In 1562 King Sayasetthathiraj ordered the construction of a bronze Buddha image in the Xieng Mai style to be placed in Vat Sisomphou pagoda, which is located beside the Houay Nam Mong stream in the district of Tha Boor in present-day Thailand. The image was named Ongteu and honoured in memory of the king’s mother.
from vientiane times issue 235 Oct 4,2008
Tags: Some Icons Of Vientiane
