The Legend of Phya Kong and Phya Phan: A Trace of Relationship of People in Western Thailand

Abstract

The Legend of Phya Kong and Phya Phan is a local legend behind the creation of Phra Pathom Chedi. The legend says the relationships of people in the western region are formed through war and kindred families. This article aims to explore the traces of the relationships of people in the western Thailand in the various versions of Phya Kong and Phya Phan legend and to study the values of the this legend in recording history and connecting people in the western part of the country with the collective experience of having “the same legend”. The study found that the Phya Kong and Phya Phan legend derives from Sanskrit literature. In Thailand, several versions are found and can be divided into two storylines: one is a story about the killing of his father which explaines the archeological site of Phra Pathom Chedi; and the another is a story about Princess Usa and Prince Barot. The patricide storyline describes the establishment of Phra Pathom Chedi and the links to related areas, particularly in the western region, including Nakhon Pathom, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi and Suphan Buri. These cities are among the major cities in the Dvaravati period where people from other places were forced to settle in later. The relationships found in this legend are both negative and positive, reflecting the conflicts and subsequent compromises in the western region and are integrated with the Buddhist thoughts. The Princess Usa and Prince Barot tale discusses the relationship of the urban areas along the Mekong River and is not tied to any Buddhist concept.