Yonok Kingdom

The Yonok Kingdom, also known as Singhanati, was a semi-legendary polity based along the Kok River, centered at Yonok Nakhon Chaiburi Ratchathani Si Chang Saen (Northern Thai: ᩰᨿᨶᩫ᩠ᨠᨶᨣᩬᩁᨩᩱ᩠ᨿᨷᩩᩁᩦᩁᩣ᩠ᨩᨵᩣᨶᩦᩆᩕᩦᨩ᩶ᩣ᩠ᨦᩯᩈ᩠᩵ᨶ; โยนกนครไชยบุรีราชธานีศรีช้างแส่น) in present-day Chiang Saen district in northern Thailand. Archaeological evidence indicates human habitation in the area since the Neolithic period, though direct links between these early communities and later historical states remain uncertain. According to legend, the region was formerly inhabited by Austroasiatic-speaking peoples and included the earlier legendary polity of Souvannakhomkham.

Legendary accounts state that Yonok was founded by Singhanavati, a son of King Devakala, following a migration into the Chiang Saen area. After its establishment, the kingdom consolidated surrounding settlements and expanded its influence across a broad territory. The narrative emphasizes prolonged stability and the sustained patronage of Buddhism by Yonok’s rulers, alongside interactions with neighboring polities and ethnic groups.

Yonok declined after internal rebellion and was ultimately destroyed by an earthquake in the 5th century CE that submerged its capital. Its population dispersed and formed successor states, including Wiang Prueksa and Ngoenyang, the latter becoming a precursor to the Lan Na Kingdom. Southern offshoots of the Yonok lineage are also associated in later traditions with the early political development of the Chao Phraya Basin.