Ramkhamhaeng (Civ5)

Ramkhamhaeng
Introduced in Civilization V
Titles	"Rama the Bold"
Civilization	Siamese
Date of birth	c. 1240 AD
Date of death	1298 AD
Preferred victory	Diplomatic Victory
Language	Thai
Voice actor/actress	Thon Kongkaewpaisarn

Back to the list of leaders

Ramkhamhaeng (1237 or 1247 AD - 1298 AD) was the third king of the Phra Ruang Dynasty, ruling the Sukhothai Kingdom.

In-Game

File:Ramkhamhaeng pact of cooperation.png

Ramkhamhaeng is the leader of the Siamese in Civilization V. He speaks mainly Modern Thai with some older words. Ramkhamhaeng is seen in his palace garden. Concept art portrayed the king with attendants holding umbrellas.

Capital: Sukhothai

Unique Unit: Naresuan's Elephant

Unique Building: Wat

Unique Ability: Father Governs Children

Voice Actor: Thon Kongkaewpaisarn

AI Traits

Trait	Amount
Competitiveness	3 (5-1)
Wonder Competitiveness	4 (6-2)
City-State Influence Competitiveness	4 (6-2)
Boldness	5 (7-3)
Diplobalance	7 (9-5)
Hate Warmongers	8 (10-6)
Willingness to Denounce	5 (7-3)
Willingness to Declare Friendship	6 (8-4)
Loyalty	6 (8-4)
Neediness	7 (9-5)
Forgiveness	6 (8-4)
Chattiness	6 (8-4)
Meanness	3 (5-1)
Offensive Unit Production	5 (7-3)
Defensive Unit Production	8 (10-6)
Defensive Building Production	6 (8-4)
Military Training Buildings Production	5 (7-3)
Recon Unit Production	4 (6-2)
Ranged Unit Production	5 (7-3)
Mobile Unit Production	4 (6-2)
Naval Unit Production	3 (5-1)
Naval Recon Unit Production	3 (5-1)
Air Unit Production	5 (7-3)
Naval Growth	3 (5-1)
Naval Tile Improvements	3 (5-1)
Water Connections	4 (6-2)
Expansion	6 (8-4)
Growth	6 (8-4)
Tile Improvements	6 (8-4)
Infrastructure (Roads)	5 (7-3)
Production Emphasis	5 (7-3)
Science Emphasis	5 (7-3)
Gold Emphasis	5 (7-3)
Culture Emphasis	8 (10-6)
Happiness Emphasis	6 (8-4)
Great People Emphasis	5 (7-3)
Wonder Emphasis	5 (7-3)
Religion Emphasis	6 (8-4)
Diplomacy Victory	8 (10-6)
Spaceship Victory	7 (9-5)
Nuke Production	3 (5-1)
Use of Nukes	5 (7-3)
Use of Espionage	5 (7-3)
Anti-Air Production	5 (7-3)
Air Carrier Production	5 (7-3)
Land Trade Route Emphasis	5 (7-3)
Sea Trade Route Emphasis	5 (7-3)
Archaeology Emphasis	5 (7-3)
Trade Origin Emphasis	5 (7-3)
Trade Destination Emphasis	5 (7-3)
Airlift Emphasis	5 (7-3)
Likeliness to Declare War	5 (7-3)
Likeliness to be Hostile	3 (5-1)
Likeliness to be Deceptive	6 (8-4)
Likeliness to be Guarded	7 (9-5)
Likeliness to be Afraid	5 (7-3)
Likeliness to be Friendly	7 (9-5)
Likeliness to be Neutral	5 (7-3)
Ignore City-States	3 (5-1)
Friendliness to City-States	7 (9-5)
Protection of City-States	7 (9-5)
Conquest of City-States	3 (5-1)
Bullying of City-States	4 (6-2)

Personality and Behavior

Ramkhamhaeng will normally try any victory condition, but he will most likely attempt a diplomatic one. He is least likely to try a domination victory.

Ramkhamhaeng puts a heavy emphasis on developing culture. He will raise a large army to protect his lands, but his offensive army will typically be average in size.

Ramkhamhaeng is a rather friendly leader, but he will become hostile if he sees the player as a warmonger. He is also one of the leaders most likely to ask his allies for help.

Fittingly, Ramkhamhaeng tends to try making friends with city-states, as well as protecting them. He will almost never try to conquer them.

Civilopedia Entry

History

In 1278, a prince named "Ramkhamhaeng" inherited the small and unimportant kingdom of Sukhothai. In twenty years, employing a brilliant combination of military genius and shrewd diplomacy, he expanded his country's borders and influence to cover much of Southeast Asia.

Early History

Not much is known about Ramkhamhaeng's early life. His parents were King Sri Indraditya and Queen Sueang. He had two sisters and two older brothers, one of whom died early and the other, Ban Mueang, became king on their father's death. Ramkhamhaeng was said to have studied under the poet wise-man Sukathanta.

At 19 he served under his father during the latter's attack on the city of Sukhothai, which was held by the Khmer. The success of this attack greatly expanded the king's power, essentially establishing Sukhothai as an independent kingdom. Because of his heroic actions during the battle the prince was given the title "Phra Ram Khamhaeng," or Rama the Bold.

Upon the death of his father in 1257, his brother, the new king Ban Mueang, put Ramkhamhaeng in charge of the city of Si Sat Chanalai. Ban Mueang died twenty years later, and Ramkhamhaeng ascended to the throne.

King Ramkhamhaeng

During his reign Ramkhamhaeng expanded his kingdom's dominance west into Burma, east into Laos, and south down the Malay Peninsula. The king was a shrewd diplomat as well as a warlord; many territories joined his confederation voluntarily. Ramkhamhaeng did not seek to dominate Southeast Asia, rather he promoted trade and diplomatic alliances with surrounding kingdoms.

Most of what we know of Ramkhamhaeng's rule comes from a stone inscription he created in 1292 towards the end of his rule. This is the earliest surviving example of Thai language, and it portrays him as a wise and benevolent leader.

Arts and Culture

Ramkhamhaeng was an ardent patron of Buddhism. He also supported the arts and Thai artistic expression achieved an especially high level during his reign, especially in bronze sculpture and ceramics.

Ramkhamhaeng's Death

Ramkhamhaeng died in 1298. His extended empire, held together by his personal magnetism and brilliant international diplomacy, did not long survive his death, and the furthest provinces soon broke away. Sukhothai itself survived another century before it fell.

Verdict of History

Ramkhamhaeng is viewed today as a great leader and the first to rule over a united Siam (later Thailand). It should be remembered however that almost all that we know about him comes from the stone inscription that he himself created. If he did have any major flaws, would he have carved them into the living rock for all of history to see? (Would any of today's world leaders do so?)

Still, there is plenty of independent evidence to show that he successfully created a great empire and his people prospered during his reign. And that's a record that any leader could be proud of.

Lines

Ramkhamhaeng speaks mostly modern Thai, as his language greatly differs from what is written on the stele allegedly attributed to him. The language in his day differs in grammar (mostly the omission of conjunctions) and vocabulary (the personal pronouns that were used normally in his day are considered vulgar in modern times, hence their omission from his speech by the game developers). Another somewhat amusing point is the reversal of the meaning of the word "แพ้," which is what he says when you defeat him. It means "to lose, to be defeated" in modern Thai, but in his day - and on his stele, describing his battle with the Mon people - it meant "to win, to beat."

Attacked: You scoundrel! I shall prepare to fend you off. (เจ้าคนต่ำช้า เราจะเตรียมพร้อมสำหรับรับมือเจ้า / jâo′-kon′-dhàm′-chá-rao′-jà′-dhriam-práwm-sǎm′-ràp′-ráp′-meu-jâo′)

Declares War: You lowly, arrogant fool! I will make you regret your insolence. (lit. "...your boastful words.") (เจ้าคนต่ำต้อยจองหอง เราจะทำให้เจ้าเสียใจกับคำอวดดีของเจ้า / jâo′-kon′-dhàm′-dhâwy-jawng-hǎwng-rao′-jà′-tam′-hâi′-jâo′-sǐa-jai′-gàp′-kam′-ùat-dee-kǎwng-jâo′)

Defeated: Although I've lost, my honor shall forever endure. I have no other choice; I wish you good luck. (ถึงแม้เราจะแพ้ แต่เกียรติ์ของเราจะดำรงอยู่ตลอดไป เราไม่มีทางเลือกใดอีก ขอให้ท่านโชคดี / těung′-mǽ-rao′-jà′-pǽ-dhæ̀-giat-kǎwng-rao′-jà′-dam′-rong′-yôo-dhlàwt-bhai′-rao′-mâi′ mee-tang-lêuak-dai′-èek-kǎw-hâi′-tân-chôk-dee)
[Note: This line uses a high-status "you."]

Demand: These are my conditions; will you accept them or will you accept death? (นี่เป็นเงื่อนไขของเราท่านจะยอมรับ หรือจะยอมตาย / nêe-bhen′-ngêuan-kǎi′-kǎwng-rao′-tân-jà′-yawm-ráp′-rěu-jà′-yawm-dhai)
[Note: This line uses a high-status "you."]

Hate Hello: Greetings. (สวัสดี / sà′-wàt′-dee)

Hate Let's Hear It 01: You were saying? (เจ้าบอกว่า / jâo′-bàwk-wâ)

Hate Let's Hear It 02: So? (แล้ว / lǽo)

Hate Let's Hear It 03: Please proceed. (เชิญต่อ / chern-dhàw)

Hate No 01: This is unacceptable. (นี่เป็นสิ่งที่ยอมรับไม่ได้ / nêe-bhen′-sìng′-têe-yawm-ráp′-mâi′-dâi′)

Hate No 02: You probably didn't mean that. (เจ้าคงไม่ได้หมายความเช่นนั้นจริงๆ / jâo′-kong′-mâi′-dâi′-mǎi-kwam-chên′-nán′-jing′-jing′)

Hate No 03: What did you say? (เจ้าพูดว่าอะไรนะ / jâo′-pôot-wâ-à′-rai′-ná′)

Hate Yes 01: I think I must do as such. (เราคิดว่าเราต้องทำเช่นนั้น / rao′-kít′-wâ-rao′-dhâwng-tam′-chên′-nán′)

Hate Yes 02: Very well. (ดีมาก / dee-mâk)

Intro: I Pho Khun Ramkhamhaeng, King of Siam, consider it a great honor that you have walked to visit my country of Siam. (เราพ่อขุนรามคำแหงกษัตริย์แห่งสยาม นับเป็นเกียรติอย่างยิ่งที่ท่านเดินมาได้เยี่ยม ประเทศสยามของเรา / rao′-pâw-kǒon′-ram-kam′-hæ̀ng-gà′-sàt′-hæ̀ng′-sà′-yam-náp′-bhen′-gìat-à′-yâng-yîng′-têe-tân-dern-ma-dâi′-yîam-bhrà′-tâyt-sà′-yam-kǎwng-rao′)
[Note: The word "Pho Khun" means "The father ruler." The intro speech is a bit incomprehensible near the end; he could be saying "ที่" (which means "at") or "ได้" (which gives it the perfect aspect). Although this seems nonsensical from a grammatical standpoint, it makes perfect sense to a native speaker of Thai. "ที่" also means "to" or "that," as in "It is an honor to have you." What he actually said was probably "นับเป็นเกียรติอย่างยิ่งที่ท่านได้เดินทางมาเยี่ยมประเทศสยามของเรา," or "(I count it as) an utmost honor to have you travel to visit our country Siam." "เดินทาง" ("travel") fits in better than "เดิน" ("walk") here; otherwise it makes no sense that the leader of a civilization would literally walk all the way to visit a foreign land.]

Neutral Hello: Welcome. (ยินดีต้อนรับ / yin′-dee-dhâwn-ráp′)

Neutral Let's Hear It 01: Is that so? (อย่างนั้นหรือ / yâng-nán′-rěu)

Neutral Let's Hear It 02: You say? (เจ้าบอกว่า / jâo′-bàwk-wâ)

Neutral Let's Hear It 03: I'm listening. (เรากำลังฟังอยู่ / rao′-gam′-lang′-fang′-yôo)

Neutral No 01: No. (ไม่ / mâi′)

Neutral No 02: Certainly not. (ไม่ แน่นอน / mâi′-næ-nawn)

Neutral No 03: No way. (ไม่มีทาง / mâi′-mee-tang)

Neutral Yes 01: In that case. (ถ้าอย่างนั้น / tâ-yàng-nán′)

Neutral Yes 02: Of course. (แน่นอน / næ-nawn)

Neutral Yes 03: Agreed. (ตกลง / dhòk′-long′)

Peaceful: You have won, but I shall return to repay this debt. (lit. "...I shall return to repay you as you deserve.") (เจ้าชนะแล้ว แต่เราจะกลับมาใหม่เพื่อตอบแทนเจ้าให้สาสม / jâo′-chá′-ná′-lǽo-dhæ̀-rao′-jà′-glàp′-ma-mài′-pêua-dhàwp-tæn-jâo′-hâi′-sǎ-sǒm′)

Request: Greetings. I believe this is a fair proposal for both parties. What do you think? (สวัสดี เราเชื่อว่านี่เป็นข้อเสนอที่ยุติธรรมสำหรับทั้งสองฝ่าย ท่านคิดว่าอย่างไร / sà′-wát′-dee-rao′-chêua-wâ-nêe-bhen′-kâw-sà′-nur-têe-yóot′-dhì′-tam′-sǎm′-ràp′-táng′-sǎwng-fài-tân-kít′-wâ-yâng-rai′)
[Note: This line uses a high-status "you." Ramkhamhaeng says hello before making counter-proposals as well.]

Intro

Greetings to you, great King Ramkhamhaeng, leader of the glorious Siamese people! O mighty King, your people bow down before you in awe and fear! You are the ruler of Siam, an ancient country in the heart of Southeast Asia. Siam is a beautiful and mysterious land. Surrounded by foes, beset by bloody war and grinding poverty, the clever and loyal Siamese people have endured and triumphed. King Ramkhamhaeng, your empire was once part of the Khmer Empire, until the 13th century AD, when your ancestors revolted, forming the small Sukhothai kingdom. Through successful battle and cunning diplomacy the tiny kingdom grew into a mighty empire, an empire which would dominate Southeast Asia for more than a century!

Oh, wise and puissant King Ramkhamhaeng, your people need you to once again lead them to greatness! Can you use your wits and strength of arms to protect your people and defeat your foes? Can you build a civilization that will stand the test of time?

Gallery

200px-Ramkhamhaeng the Great.jpg

Statue of Ramkhamhaeng