During ancient times, the Ping River valley was used as a trading route between Yunnan and the Chao Phraya river basin. Tools, dating back two thousand years show that the area has long been inhabited. The first known inhabitants of the area were the Lawa that were later replaced by the Mon in the 6th century. These people founded the first settlement that could be described at Lamphun.

A powerful Tai leader, King Mangrai, was also attracted to this area with its important trade links. He captured Lamphun and then founded Chiang Mai ('new capital') to the north. Chiang Mai was situated between the river and an adjacent mountain, ensuring both water and timber.

The Golden Age of the La Na Kingdom

La Na means 'the kingdom of a million rice fields' and Chiang Mai was its capital. The 15th century was known as the 'golden age'. During this period, the La Na kingdom became so powerful that it controlled no only northern Thailand, but also the eastern states of Burma, western Laos and southern Yunnan. The state's religion was Theravada Buddhism and it was this that contributed most to the cultural richness of the area.

Unfortunately, La Na was sandwiched between the Burmese to the east and the Thai to the south against whom they fought several wars in the 14th and 15th centuries. The wars weakened the La Na kingdom and it eventually fell to the Burmese under King Bayinnuang in 1556.

The Abandonment and Repopulation of Chiang Mai

Until 1774, La Na was occupied by the Burmese and exploited by them in their wars against Ayutthaya and his Thais. Although the Thais and the Siamese finally drove out the Burmese, the city was so weak that it was abandoned. The Lanna King at the time was King Taksin who was eventually declared insane and put to death in 1781. His successor, Rama I appointed a governor-prince to revive the hereditary line of rulers of Chiang Mai.

Chao Kawila of Lamang eventually encouraged local people to repopulate Chiang Mai together with Tai Yai (Shan), Tai Khoen and Tai Yong people. The city was formally reoccupied in 1796.

Westerners cometh. . .

During the 19th century, the teak forests to the north aroused the interest of Westerners, forcing King Chulalongkorn to assume the administration of the city in 1892. This interest created a thriving Western (as well as Chinese) population in the valley. More recently, the traditional trade routes to the north in Yunnan and to the west to Myanmar have been blocked as a result of political events.

During the first half of the 20th century, the city remained a quiet backwater until the growth of tourism from the 1970s. This boom reinvigorated the city and created the many modern buildings that are encountered.

Dates in La Na History

767	The founding of Lamphun (Haripunchai) by hermits who invited Princess Chamadevi of Lob Buri to rule
1259	Mangrai became king of the Ngoen Yang ( from 1259-1317). He moved his capital to Chiang Rai and then to Fang (1268).
1281	Mangrai captured Haripunchai and moved his capital to Wiang Kum Kam in 1288.
1296	King Mangrai founded Chiang Mai
1345	King Pha Yu (r1337 - 1355) founded Wat Phra Singh and laid the foundation for the golden age of La Na.
1371	King Nu Na (R1355 - 1385) founded Wat Suan Dok establishing a Sinhalese Buddhist sect that became the major cultural significance in La Na.
1385	King Seang Muang Ma (R1385 - 1401) fought off an attack from Ayutthaya but was defeated when he attacked Sukothai in 1387.
1405	King Sam Fang Kaen (r 1401 - 1441) repelled Yunnanese armies and consolidated the kingdom of La Na.
1449	King Tilokarat (R1441 - 1487) captured Nan, bringing La Na to the height of its power. Considered the greatest of the La Na kings after Mangrai he brought La Na to a golden age, supporting Buddhist works and construction.
1477	The 8th World Buddhist Council met at Wat Chet Yot to revise the Buddhist canon, bringing La Na culture to its zenith.
1495	King Muang Kaew (r 1495 - 1526) patronized the arts as the last great king of La Na. His successor, King Chetterat (r 1526 - 38 & 1543 - 45) was deposed in favour of his son, was enthroned again and then assassinated.
1545	An earthquake damaged the Phra Chedi Luang. Chiang Mai resisted attacks both by a Shan prince and Ayutthaya.
1546	King Settathirat of Luang Phabang, the capital of the kingdom of Lan Xang ascended the La Na throne by invitation but returned on the death of his father a year later. La Na then collapsed into civil war between the chiefs of the principalities.
1551	Invited by local chiefs to rule, Phra Mekuti (R1551 - 1564) began an oppressive and unpopular rule. He forbade worship of the city pillar, an act that is thought to have brought misfortune to the city of Chiang Mai.
1558	Chiang Mai fell without struggle to the Burmese. Prince Mekuti , the last of Mangrai's successors remained as a vassal.
1564	Mekuti unsuccessfully tried to shake off Burmese rule and was deposed. Chiang Mai became a base for attacks on Ayutthaya that fell to King Bayinnuang in 1569.
1598	King Naresuan (R1590 - 1605) of Ayutthaya captured Chiang Mai. The city fell to the Burmese again in 1614.
1661	King Narai (R1656 - 1688) of Ayutthaya captured and briefly held Chiang Mai.
1767	The Burmese destroyed Ayutthaya. King Thaksin regrouped at Ton Buri building up Siamese strength.
1774	Phraya Chaban of Chiang Mai and Chao Kawila of Lampang sided with the Siamese against the Burmese, defeating them.
1775	Chiang Mai was abandoned.
1796	Chao Kawila (R1781 - 1815) re-established Chiang Mai.
1868	King Chulalongkorn - Rama V (R1868 - 1910) began reforms which set the foundation for the modern state.
1871	Chao Inthawichayanon (R1871 - 1897) became the last semi independent ruler of Chiang Mai.
1874	A Siamese High Commissioner began to take over the administration of La Na.
1885	The telegraph reached Chiang Mai
1892	Siam incorporated La Na into the administrative unit of Monthon Phayap.
1893	France forced Siam to cede Laos which included territory with the traditional domain of La Na.
1902	The Shan rebellion was the last stirring of northern independence.
1921	The railway reached Chiang Mai. Education was made compulsory.
1932	Chiang Mai became a province of Siam.
1946	King Bhumipol Adulyadej became King Rama IX of Siam
1949	Siam is officially to be known as Thailand.

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