"This volume, the original edition of which was published in 1981, provides a wealth of information for reconstructing the history of the Tai in the area that now encompasses parts of Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and China from the thirteenth to the early twentieth century. The Padaeng Chronicle offers insight into the spread of Theravada Buddhism as well as rich detail on social structure and royal patronage. The Jengtung State Chronicle provides information on political structures, court intrigue, indigenous concepts of legitimacy, and ethnic relations.
"It would be difficult to imagine someone more qualified to explicate and translate these documents than the late Sao Saimoeng Mangrai. A Shan Buddhist prince and serious Western-educated scholar with a rare grasp of languages, Mangrai approached his work with the highest ideals of both cultures: scrupulous attention to detail, integrity, dignity, and humility."
--Victor Lieberman
Sao Saimoeng Mangrai was a member of the royal family of Kengtung, Burma. Educated both as a monk and in England, he was fluent in several languages of the Tai family as well as Burmese and English.
