Wieng Kum Kam, Atlantis of Lan Na by Garry Harbottle-Johnson (2002, Book, Illustrated)
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Author: Garry Harbottle-Johnson
Publisher: Heroes & History Library
Publication Date: 2002-01-01
Language: English
Format: Book
ISBN-10: 9748543986
ISBN-13: 9789748543987
Product ID: EPID53574435
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A Review by someone who knows the Area.
) 
Review published in CityLife Chiangmai magazine, Thailand - Dec 2002
Written by John Shaw MBE, former British Consul for Northern Thailand.
Wieng Kum Kam – Atlantis of Lan Na
A History and Visitors Guide
By Garry Harbottle-Johnson
This book is much more than a guide of a virtually uncharted historical site, it is a very brave venture into the legendary past of Lan Na. All we learned of Wieng Kum Kam, before this book, was that it was King Mengrai’s capital for a few years before he moved to Chiang Mai and that it was abandoned at some time when the river Ping altered its course.
This 96 page guide has excellent maps and drawings and also photographs that could be improved upon.
The rather quirky descriptions of 34 sites in and around Wieng Kum Kam are very interesting and informative even though so little is known and so little work has been done by the Fine Arts Department.
At site 13 the author writes ‘ that may indicate very early construction (when empty land was available), or late construction (on land gifted to the temple). ’
Or at site 14, ‘ the western end of the site may have been royal, religious, secular or commercial.’
The study of Chronicles, the earliest of which were written several hundred years after the events described, is notoriously difficult. ‘The tamnan of the distant past are the subject of considerable puzzlement and controversy among those who have studied them,’ wrote David Wyatt. Buddhism, miracles, royal acts of merit and royal genealogies become inextricably mixed with historical facts.
The history of the Lawa people, the original inhabitants of the Chiang Mai area before even the Thais, or indeed Chamadevi at Lamphun, came on the scene, is even more obscure than that of the Celts, the original inhabitants of much of Europe. Their importance is certain but whether the earthen walls, still visible in Chiang Mai were built by them before the founding of Chiang Mai by King Mengrai in 1296, or whether they were built in the time of Kawila at the end of the 18th century (see the Chiang Mai Newsletter Vol.3 No.10) is open to debate. Nor can it really be proved that the Lord Buddha visited the Lawa people during his lifetime.
This is a first-class guide and it is to be hoped that the author will publish guides on other historical sites in the Empire of Lan Na.
Written by John Shaw MBE, former British Consul for Northern Thailand.
Wieng Kum Kam – Atlantis of Lan Na
A History and Visitors Guide
By Garry Harbottle-Johnson
This book is much more than a guide of a virtually uncharted historical site, it is a very brave venture into the legendary past of Lan Na. All we learned of Wieng Kum Kam, before this book, was that it was King Mengrai’s capital for a few years before he moved to Chiang Mai and that it was abandoned at some time when the river Ping altered its course.
This 96 page guide has excellent maps and drawings and also photographs that could be improved upon.
The rather quirky descriptions of 34 sites in and around Wieng Kum Kam are very interesting and informative even though so little is known and so little work has been done by the Fine Arts Department.
At site 13 the author writes ‘ that may indicate very early construction (when empty land was available), or late construction (on land gifted to the temple). ’
Or at site 14, ‘ the western end of the site may have been royal, religious, secular or commercial.’
The study of Chronicles, the earliest of which were written several hundred years after the events described, is notoriously difficult. ‘The tamnan of the distant past are the subject of considerable puzzlement and controversy among those who have studied them,’ wrote David Wyatt. Buddhism, miracles, royal acts of merit and royal genealogies become inextricably mixed with historical facts.
The history of the Lawa people, the original inhabitants of the Chiang Mai area before even the Thais, or indeed Chamadevi at Lamphun, came on the scene, is even more obscure than that of the Celts, the original inhabitants of much of Europe. Their importance is certain but whether the earthen walls, still visible in Chiang Mai were built by them before the founding of Chiang Mai by King Mengrai in 1296, or whether they were built in the time of Kawila at the end of the 18th century (see the Chiang Mai Newsletter Vol.3 No.10) is open to debate. Nor can it really be proved that the Lord Buddha visited the Lawa people during his lifetime.
This is a first-class guide and it is to be hoped that the author will publish guides on other historical sites in the Empire of Lan Na.
Review ID: 10000000008021257
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Wieng Kum Kam Atlantis of LannaReview created: 07/19/08
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Review published in Chiangmai Mail Newspaper, Thailand - 23 Nov 2002
This book is the result of research done by Chiang Mai resident Garry Harbottle-Johnson, who had originally intended making a map of the ruins of Wieng Kum Kam, but in his foreword he mentions how the work expanded as the historical details were uncovered. This book Wieng Kum Kam (ISBN 974-85439-8-6) is the result from that research. It is very much a Lanna effort, with the publication in Chiang Mai of the text this year and distribution being handled by Chiang Mai University.
The book begins with an overview of the Kingdom of Lan Na, the land of a million rice fields, with the reminder that all of the history of this region dates back 4000 years to the migration of the Tai speaking peoples, long before the advent of the civilization that now speaks 'Thai'.
The author then takes you through the time line immediately preceding the founding of Wieng Kum Kam, with the meanderings and triumphs of King Mengrai and his sons. I found the lack of filial trust interesting, with family ‘back-stabbing’ being a favoured method of advancement, especially while attending funerals of previously incumbent kings! A parallel to the governmental coups in the past 50 years could be drawn perhaps?
Following the historical pages there are detailed descriptions of the 34 archaeological sites, with many maps and photographic illustrations. These are invaluable for the tourists who can at least find the major sites and what they contain.
The book finishes with more general history of the regions and the cities ruled by King Mengrai and then followed by some notes on Wieng Kum Kam today and a small bibliography.
The review copy was made available by the author and has an RRP of 225 baht in Thailand. As with all things historical there can be divergent bodies of opinion on the true 'facts' of the case. After all, there is nobody left who knew King Mengrai personally, so it becomes difficult to refute or bolster arguments without some of the very latest scientific techniques now available to archaeologists. Even carbon dating is a somewhat expensive way to put an age just to ruins so that many people feel it is not really worth the time or money involved.
This represents an unfortunate state of affairs from many points of view. We are all the results of our histories and as such we should hold our heritage dear. From the point of view of tourism, there are visitors from the ‘new world’ whose society only goes back a couple of hundred years and who thirst after the experience of standing in a city many hundreds of years older than the oldest known artefact from their society. The UK has realized this long ago and actively restores and promotes historical sites, as do many countries in Europe. Perhaps the time is nigh when this will truly happen in Thailand. Garry Harbottle-Johnson no doubt hopes so. If this book is a catalyst in bringing this about, then it will all have been worthwhile. King Mengrai will thank you for buying this little volume.
This book is the result of research done by Chiang Mai resident Garry Harbottle-Johnson, who had originally intended making a map of the ruins of Wieng Kum Kam, but in his foreword he mentions how the work expanded as the historical details were uncovered. This book Wieng Kum Kam (ISBN 974-85439-8-6) is the result from that research. It is very much a Lanna effort, with the publication in Chiang Mai of the text this year and distribution being handled by Chiang Mai University.
The book begins with an overview of the Kingdom of Lan Na, the land of a million rice fields, with the reminder that all of the history of this region dates back 4000 years to the migration of the Tai speaking peoples, long before the advent of the civilization that now speaks 'Thai'.
The author then takes you through the time line immediately preceding the founding of Wieng Kum Kam, with the meanderings and triumphs of King Mengrai and his sons. I found the lack of filial trust interesting, with family ‘back-stabbing’ being a favoured method of advancement, especially while attending funerals of previously incumbent kings! A parallel to the governmental coups in the past 50 years could be drawn perhaps?
Following the historical pages there are detailed descriptions of the 34 archaeological sites, with many maps and photographic illustrations. These are invaluable for the tourists who can at least find the major sites and what they contain.
The book finishes with more general history of the regions and the cities ruled by King Mengrai and then followed by some notes on Wieng Kum Kam today and a small bibliography.
The review copy was made available by the author and has an RRP of 225 baht in Thailand. As with all things historical there can be divergent bodies of opinion on the true 'facts' of the case. After all, there is nobody left who knew King Mengrai personally, so it becomes difficult to refute or bolster arguments without some of the very latest scientific techniques now available to archaeologists. Even carbon dating is a somewhat expensive way to put an age just to ruins so that many people feel it is not really worth the time or money involved.
This represents an unfortunate state of affairs from many points of view. We are all the results of our histories and as such we should hold our heritage dear. From the point of view of tourism, there are visitors from the ‘new world’ whose society only goes back a couple of hundred years and who thirst after the experience of standing in a city many hundreds of years older than the oldest known artefact from their society. The UK has realized this long ago and actively restores and promotes historical sites, as do many countries in Europe. Perhaps the time is nigh when this will truly happen in Thailand. Garry Harbottle-Johnson no doubt hopes so. If this book is a catalyst in bringing this about, then it will all have been worthwhile. King Mengrai will thank you for buying this little volume.
Review ID: 10000000008020925
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