Khamfu

Khamfu ᨻᩕ᩠ᨿᩣᨤᩣᩴᨼᩪ
King of Lan Na
Phraya in Chiang Mai
Reign	1328/29–1338
Predecessor	Saenphu
Successor	Phayu
Phraya in Chiang Saen
Reign	1338–1345
Predecessor	Saenphu
Successor	Phayu
Born	1302
Died	1345
Issue	Phayu
Dynasty	Mangrai
Father	Saenphu
Religion	Theravada Buddhism

Khamfu (Northern Thai: ᨻᩕ᩠ᨿᩣᨤᩣᩴᨼᩪ; Thai: พญาคำฟู) was the 4th monarch of the Lan Na Kingdom from the Mangrai dynasty, reigning from 1334 to 1336.

Royal Biography

Kham Fu, originally titled Thao Kham Fu, was the son of Saenphu. According to The Sip-Ha Rajawong Chronicle, it is stated:

“Chao Phaya Saenphu appointed his son, Chao Thao Khamfu, to govern Chiang Mai while he attended the funeral of his father, Phaya Chaiyasongkhram, in Chiang Rai. After a month, he remained in Chiang Rai. Later, he appointed his son, Thao Kham Fu, as Phraya of Chiang Mai at the age of 26, in the Year of the Dragon, corresponding to the Chula Sakarat 690.”

After Khamfu was appointed as Phraya in Chiang Mai, Saenphu moved to rule in Chiang Saen. Upon Saenphu’s death, Khamfu succeeded him as Phraya in Chiang Saen, reigning between 1338–1345.

During his reign, Khamfu governed Chiang Mai with wisdom and foresight, bringing prosperity and peace to the city. His reign is remembered as a time of flourishing culture and tranquility, unmarred by war. During this time, he also allied with Phraya Phanong, the ruler of Pua, to launch a successful raid on Phayao, annexing the previously independent state into the Lanna Kingdom.

After Khamfu’s death, his son Thao Phayu was crowned Phraya of Chiang Mai.

Kham Fu died after being attacked by a ngueak or a mermaid (Thai: เงือก; a word in ancient Lan Na referring to a crocodile) while bathing in the river. According to The Chiang Mai Chronicle, it is recorded:

“The King went to bathe and cleanse his head in the waters of the Chiang Kham River. Then a large ngueak emerged from a cliff cave and dragged the king into the cavern. All the people, including ministers and courtiers, searched for the king but could not find him for seven days. Eventually, the king's remains floated downstream. It was then known that Phraya Khamfu had died.”

As his death was considered inauspicious and violent, he came to be venerated as a guardian spirit of Chiang Mai.

In 1926, the urn containing his royal ashes was discovered during the renovation of Wat Phra Singh led by Khruba Siwichai, and it was moved to the old Chiang Mai City Hall. However, the urn later disappeared without a trace, and no one has ever taken responsibility for its loss.