Chiang Mai literally means new city and has retained the name despite
having celebrated its 700th anniversary in 1996. King Meng Rai founded
the city as the capital of the Lanna (A Million Rice Fields) Kingdom
on Thursday, 12th April 1296 during the same period of time as the
establishment of the Sukhothai Kingdom. King Meng Rai the Great
conferred with his friends, King Ramkhamhaeng of Sukhothai and King
Ngam Muang of Phayao before choosing the site where the capital
of the Lanna Kingdom was to be founded.
From then, Chiang Mai not only became the capital and cultural
core of the Lanna Kingdom, it was also the centre of Buddhism in
northern Thailand. King Meng Rai himself was very religious and
founded many of the city’s temples, which are still important
today.
At the height of its power, the Lanna Kingdom extended its territory
far into Burma and Laos, and southwards to Kamphaeng Phet –
a province above Sukhothai.
The Burmese conquered the Lanna Kingdom in 1556 ending the dynasty
founded by King Meng Rai that lasted over 250 years. As Burma had
occupied Chiang Mai for nearly 200 years, Burmese architectural
influences are visible in many temples. At the end of the 18th century,
King Taksin the Great regrouped the Thais in the south and finally
drove the Burmese out with the help of King Kawila of Lampang thereby
regaining Thai independence from Burma. Chiang Mai was then governed
by a succession of princes who ruled the north as a Siamese protectorate
under the Chakri dynasty. In the late 19th century, King Rama V
appointed a high commissioner in Chiang Mai and it was only in 1939
that Chiang Mai finally came under the direct control of the central
government in Bangkok – the same time the country was renamed
Thailand.
In the past, Chiang Mai was only accessible by river and elephants.
More convenient access was achieved only when the railway line was
completed in the late 1920's. Moreover, the first motor vehicle
driven directly from Bangkok arrived in Chiang Mai in 1932. Such
isolation was more favorable to Chiang Mai as it helped to nurture
and preserve the unique Lanna culture.
When we look at Chiang Mai today, it is the economic, cultural
and communications hub of northern Thailand complete with excellent
infrastructure, good roads, by passes and road tunnels, and reliable
communications infrastructure.
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