Buddhism and the Ancient Thai Nation
According to tradition, Buddhism was introduced into Thailand more than two thousand years ago, when this territory was known as Suvarnabhumi and was still inhabited by the Mons and Lawas. At that time one of the nine missions sent by King Asoka of India to spread Buddhism in different countries, came to Suvarnabhumi. This mission was headed by two Arahants named Sona and Uttara and they succeeded in converting the ruler and the people of the Thai kingdom to Buddhism.
Nakhon Pathom was then the capital or one of the most important cities of Suvarnabhumi and became an active centre for the propagation of the teachings of the Buddha. A great stupa was erected there to commemorate this great historical event, the adoption of Buddhism, and it was called Phra Pathom Cbedi, which means the first Chedi built in this eastern country.
Some scholars say that at the time of the introduction of Buddhism into Suvarnabhumi, the Thais were still in the south of China. There also, through the friendly relationship with China in the reign of Emperor Mingti, the Thais were converted to Buddhism. Khun Luang Mao, who ruled over the kingdom of Ailao at the beginning of the seventh Buddhist century, was the first Thai ruler who declared himself a Buddhist and the upholder of the faith.
Later, Mahayana Buddhism flourished in India and took the place of Hinayana or Theravada Buddhism. This new school of Buddhism spread to many countries both in the north and in the south. It was introduced into Thailand by the kings of Srivijaya whose capital was in Sumatra and who ruled over the southern provinces of Thailand in the fourteenth century of Buddhism.
To the east of Thailand, the Khmer kings became