Chiang
Mai
Information
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When arriving
in Thailand ask for free copies of Thaiways magazine and Thaiways
maps from the information counter at airports or hotels.
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Three Kings Monument situated in front
of the Thai Art & Culture Hall near the intersection of Phra
Pokklao Rd.
and Inthawarorot Rd.
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The
history of Chiang Mai can be traced to the reign of King Mengrai
(1259-1317) who established the Kingdom of Lanna in the northern
region. In 1296 the King cooperated with King Ramkhamhaeng of Sukhothai
and King Ngam Muang of Phayao to choose an appropriate site for
founding the capital of Lanna. The present location of Chiang Mai
was selected. It took about 4 months to complete the building task.
That's how Chiang Mai became the capital of Lanna. |
In 1558, Chiang Mai town was captured by Burengnong,
a very competent King of Burma. But 38 years later, King Naresuan of Ayutthaya
seized Chiang Mai back from the Burmese. Later the town fell to the hands
of the Burmese again before King Narai of Ayutthaya succeeded in its recovery.
Ayutthaya took control of the town for 20 years. After that Chiang Mai was
alternately ruled by the Burmese and became independent.
In 1774, King Taksin of Thon Buri, who reestablished
Thai sovereignty after Ayutthaya had been defeated in the war with Burma
in 1767, realized the vital strategic importance of Chiang Mai, made an
attack on the town and took it as a vassal town. In the reign of King
Rama V (1868-1910), Chiang Mai's status was elevated from a vassal town
to be part of a monthon (an administrative unit used at that time). When
the Thai government abolished this unit, Chiang Mai became a province
in 1933.
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