Etymology
According to the Surin Khmer dialect, the term Khom Sabat Khlon Lamphong literally denotes “the Khom afflicted with a condition of innumerable nodules upon the feet.” An analysis of the constituent morphemes suggests that the term functions as a descriptive epithet—referring to an individual by physical characteristics—rather than as an official title or rank. The expression can be segmented into three components: Khom + Sabat Khlon + Lamphong, each of which conveys the following meanings: • Khom signifies “a Khom person.” • Sabat Khlon may be further divided into Sabat and Khlon. The term Sabat, when reconstructed into Old Siamese–Khmer phonology, appears as sbaek (), meaning “skin” or “surface.” The term Khlon, similarly reconstructed as khluon () or khluan (), denotes “body” or “form.” Combined, Sabat Khlon therefore signifies “skin of the body” or simply “skin.” • Lamphong, reconstructed as Lampuong () in Old Siamese–Khmer pronunciation, carries two possible meanings: first, “a protrusion or small swelling upon a surface,” and second, “a species of climbing plant bearing small, smooth, round fruits, approximately the size of a fingertip; the fruits are dark green when unripe and black when ripe, and are edible.” When this linguistic interpretation in the Surin Khmer dialect is compared with the legend of (“Lord of a Thousand Nodules”), a striking correspondence emerges. The legendary figure Thao Saen Pom appears to be identical with the historical personage referred to as Khomsabat Khlon Lamphong, thus suggesting that the name encapsulates a descriptive reference to his distinctive physical condition rather than denoting a formal royal designation. ==Notes==