Chai of Lan Na
Thao Chai
| |
|---|---|
| King of Lan Na | |
| Reign | 1538–1543 |
| Predecessor | Ket (First Reign) |
| Successor | Ket (Second Reign) |
| Born | 1508 |
| Died | 1543 |
| Issue | Tonkham Tonthip |
| Dynasty | Mangrai |
| Father | Ket |
| Mother | Chiraprapha |
| Religion | Theravada Buddhism |
Thao Chai (Northern Thai: ᨴ᩶ᩣ᩠ᩅᨩᩣ᩠ᨿ; Thai: ท้าวชาย), Saikham (Northern Thai: ᨴ᩶ᩣ᩠ᩅᨪᩣ᩠ᨿᨤᩴᩣ; Thai: ท้าวซายคำ) or Mueangchaichao (Northern Thai: ᨻᩕᨾᩮᩬᩥᨦᨪᩣ᩠ᨿᨧᩮᩢ᩶ᩣ; Thai: พระเมืองชายเจ้า) was the 13th king of Lan Na from the Mangrai dynasty. He reigned from 1538 to 1543. He seized power from his father, Ket. After reigning for just five years, he was assassinated by a group of nobles who claimed that he lacked the legitimacy to the throne. The nobles then invited Ket to return and resume the throne for a second time. Chai’s reign was marked by great unrest, including rebellions and infighting among various noble factions fighting for power.