Sukhothai, meaning the ”Dawn of Happiness” was the first free Thai city founded in 1238, by two Thai chieftains, Khun Bang Klang Tao and Khun Pa Muang , this ending Khmer rule from Angkor Wat. In the early 1300s, Sukhothai enjoyed suzeranity over the Chao Phya River basin, westward to the bay of Bengal and the entire Peninsula. It is still regarded by Thai historical tradition as the ” first Thai Kingdom ” it began life as a chiefdom under the sway of the Khmer style or else show clear khmer influence.