|
 When Ayutthaya was the capital, Chaiyaphum appeared
on a map during the reign of King Narai the Great as a city under
the administration of Nakhon Ratchasima. However, people later moved
out to find new homes and left the city deserted. Chaiyaphum then
reappeared during the time of King Rama ll in the Rattanakosin Era.
In 1817, Lae, a nobleman in Chao Anuwong's ( Lord of Vientiane)
court, took his family and friends across the Makhong River to settle
at Ban Nong Nam Khun ( Nong E Chan) which is now in the area of
Amphoe Sung Noen in Nakhon Ratchasima. In 1819, when too many people
had migrated there, Lae moved everyone to a new location at Non
Nam Om, Ban Chi Long. All through that time, Lae continued to provide
offerings to Chao Anuwong to show his loyalty. At first it was rice
but was later gold when it was found in Khao Phraya Fo. As a result,
Lae was promoted to Khun Phakdi Chumphon. Due to a drought, he moved
his settlement again in 1822 to Nong Pla Thao and Nong Lot, which
combined were called Ban Luang.At that time he changed loyalty to
Nakhon Ratchasima Province and provided offerings to King Rama lll
and proclaimed the city free from Chao Anuwong forever. King Rama
lll rewarded Khun Phakdi Chumphon by making Ban Luang Chaiyaphum
City and promoting him to Phraya Phakdi Chumphon and made him the
city's first lord.
Chao Anuwong (a Lao King) organized a rebellion
against King Rama lll and formed troops to attack Bangkok. He lied
to cities along his route that he was rounding up military support
to help Bangkok fight the British. Nakhon Ratchasima was subsequently
overtaken in 1826. When the secret was out that Chao Anuwong and
his troops were rebels, he gathered all the people of Nakhon Ratchasima
to take them back to Vientiane. While at Thung Samrit, the captives
under the leadership of Khunying Mo, the wife of Nakhon Ratchasima's
lord, fought back with the support of Phiraya Phakdi Chumpon and
lords of nearby cities until they defeated Chao Anuwong.
Nonetheless, a remnant of Chao Anuwongs forces
retreated from Nakhon Ratchasima and captured Chaiyaphum. After
failing to persuade Phraya Phakdi Chumphon to join the rebellion,
the invaders killed him under a big tamarind tree at Nong Pla Thao.
A shrine built by the city's citizens is a tribute to this man is
3 km. from the provincial hall. It is in the shape of a Thai pavilion
and contains a highly revered statue of Phraya Phakdi Chumphon.
|
