Chiang_Mai Thailand

Chiang Mai Province, Chiang Mai is Thailand’s second largest city and the unofficial 'capital' of the northern region. It lies approximately 700 km by road and 761 km by rail north of Bangkok. With the openings to tourism across the borders in Laos and Burma along with the southern Chinese states, the city has become an important regional transportation hub.

The provincial capital of Chiang Mai is situated 305 metres above sea level, set in a wide valley divided by the River Ping. Its climate is cool and refreshing during the hot season, a welcoming break, especially from the heat and humidity of Bangkok.

Founded in 1296 by King Mengrai Maharat, the city's history is as old as the beginning of the first Thai states. Around the time of the Sukhothai period Mengrai was ruler of his own kingdom - Lan Na Thai. Chiang Rai was its capital, but under the threats of the all-conquering Mongol warlord Kublai Khan, Mengrai was forced to relocate. He sought help and managed to form an alliance with King Ramkamhaeng, the ruler of Sukhothai. The present site was decided on and the city, surrounded by a moat and wall, was built and named Nopphaburi Si Nakhonping, known as Chiang Mai or ‘new city’.

However, just a century later Sukhothai came under the control of Ayutthaya. Relations between the two became strained and this lead to intermittent warfare for the next four hundred years.

Ayutthaya crushed an invasion by Chiang Mai in the 16th century and from the mid 16th to mid 17th century its power started to wane. The Burmese invaded the Lanna kingdom in the early 18th century and fighting continued until 1775 when the Burmese were finally defeated. Exhausted and discouraged by the constant conflicts the inhabitants abandoned the city. The city remained deserted for over twenty years.

After the resurgence of the Thai's, under the leadership of King Taksin, Lanna nobles returned to Chiang Mai and started restoring the city to its former splendour. It was under the control of Taksin but remained a high degree of autonomy. It officially came part of the Thai nation in 1938.

Ang Thong | Ayutthaya | Bangkok | Chachoengsao | Chai Nat | Kanchanaburi | Lopburi | Nakhon Nayok | Nakhon Pathom | Nonthaburi | Pathum Thani | Prachinburi | Ratchaburi | Sa Kaeo | Samut Prakan | Samut Sakhon | Samut Songkhram | Saraburi | Singburi | Suphanburi |

Chantaburi | Pattaya | Rayong | Trat |

Amnat Charoen | Buriram | Chaiyaphum | Kalasin | Khon Kaen | Loei | Mahasarakham | Nakhon Phanom | Nakhon Ratchasima | Nong Bua Lamphun | Nong Khai | Roi Et | Sakon Nakhon | Si Sa Ket | Surin | Ubon Ratchathani | Udon Thani | Yasothon |

Chiang Mai | Chiang Rai | Kamphaeng Phet | Lampang | Lamphun | Mae Hong Sorn | Nakhon Sawan | Nan | Phayao | Phetchabun | Phichit | Phitsanulok | Phrae | Sukhothai | Tak | Uthai Thani | Uttaradit |

Chumphon | Koh Samui | Krabi | Nakhon Si Thammarat | Narathiwat | Phang Nga | Phattalung | Phetchaburi | Phi Phi | Phuket | Prachuab Khiri Khan | Ranong | Satun | Songkhla | Surat Thani | Trang | Yala |