Phra Ruang and Spirit of Sukhothai
Phra Lue, Phra Ruang's Brother
It is said that Phra Ruang lived with the old man and the old woman for years with happiness, but
he was lonely because of lack of friends, then they used a Thonglang carving as a doll for Phra Ruang to
play with. One day, it was reported that Sukhothai would bury the poles at the gate. The villagers came
to see the ceremony and Phra Ruang wanted to visit as well but the weight of the Thonglang was very
heavy, then Phra Ruang asked the doll to walk itself. With the power of supernatural words, the
Thonglang doll became human. The doll became Phra Ruang's brother named "Phra Lue" or "Phra Rit" because
of Phra Ruang's power.
It was believed that this story might have come from one of the leaders of Sukhothai, which stated
that the relationship of the brothers was very important. Many stone inscriptions gave us information
that Sukhothai leaders had many siblings such as Pho Khun Ban Muang - Pho Khun Ramkamhaeng Maharat, Pho
Khun Ramphon - Pho Khun Sri, Phra Dhamaracha - Phra Asoke (son of Phramamatham ll ) (Lue Thai), and Phra
Rahcathephi Srichulalak) Phraya Ban - Phraya Ram (son of Phramamatham Lue Thai)
At Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat Ratchaworawihan Temple or Phra Prang Temple, Si Satchanalai, there
were a pair of Buddha images cast with bronze. The villagers are called "Pra Ruang-Phra Cue". This
reflected faith in these myths. Currently, Pra Ruang-Phra images are enshrined at Ramkhamhaeng National
Museum.