Chiang Mai
Chiang
Mai ('New City'), the Northern capital of Thailand, (often referred to as
"the Rose of the North"), was founded by King Mengrai at 4am. on 14th April
1296
Sited approximately 700 kms. north of Bangkok on the Ping
River in the fertile Chiang Mai valley. it is some 310 meters (1,027 feet)
above sea lever, which accounts for its slightly drier and cooler climate
than most other parts of this country. The population is estimated to be
250,000 persons. The province itself is large, measuring 130kms from east to
west, and 320kms from north to south. As well as Thai nationals, it is the
home of various colorful minorities, many with Thai citizenship, including
the Lua, Mon, Karen, Lisu, Akha, Hmong and Muser peoples.........
More
Chiang Rai
Chiang
Rai is located at the northern tip of Thailand, bordering Mynmar (Burma) on
the north and Laos on the east. Of its area of 11,678 square kms more than
three quarters are mountains.
Chiang Rai, founded in 1262 by King Mengrai, is among the oldest town of
Thailand. On a site protected by the Kok River an by three small hills. Its
strategic location near the border made it an important trading center but
also ensured that it would suffer during the frequent wars between Thailand
and Burma; for a long period during the 19th century it was more or less
abandoned, with only a few hundred families remaining within the old city
walls. Prosperity returned slowly - as late as 1970, it had a population of
only around 10,000 and has had strong visible effect only in recent
years..... more
Lamphun
670 kms from Bangkok, is famed for beautiful women,
bountiful orchards and the stunning Wat Phra That Hariphunchai, a classic
sample of northern religious architecture. Lumphun, now a quiet town on the
Kwang River, was one an important cultural center. Founded in AD660, it was
the capital of the Mon Kingdom of Haripunchai and remained independent until
it was incorporated into the Lanna kingdom by King Mengrai in 1281. The
walls and moat that can be seen today date only from the early 19th century,
but a number of fine temple attest to the city's ancient glory.
Lampang
Located in the valley of the Wang River, a tributary of
the Ping, Lampang is the second-largest town in the northern Thailand. Its
long history goes back to the 7th century, when it was supposedly founded by
a son o the Haripunchai queen, Chamadevi, who had established a Mon Kingdom
in the north. Originally known as Kelang Nakhon, it had four outlying
fortified satellite settlements, of which only Wat Phra That Lampang Luang
still exists. Lampang theoretically became part of the Lanna kingdom
under Mengrai, though in many ways it was ruled autonomously; like Chiang
Mai, it was occupied by the Burmese for three centuries. At the beginning of
the 20th century, Lamphang was a center of the northern teak industry, with
a population of more than 20,000 and some 4,000 working elephants; it was
also visited yearly by ten caravans from the Shan states of Burma, bringing
goods that ranged from lacquerware to opium. Despite the less appealing
cement constructions of recent years, the era is still reflected in a number
of fine old teak mansions in the area of the old market along the river.
Mae Hong Son
Though constituted as a city by the ruler of Chiang Mai
in 1874 and as a province under the Ministry of Interior in 1893, Mae Hong
Son is regarded as the back of beyond by most of people in Thailand. It
remained isolated from the rest of Thailand until 1965 when the metalled
road was open. Mae Hong Son is in fact so remote that it was a favored place
of exile for government officials charged with serious offenses against the
State. Today, however, a regular domestic air service links the city with
Chaing Mai, thus opening up the valley to tourism. Nestled amid forested,
mist-shrouded mountains, Mae Hon Son still has a tranquil feeling of
remoteness, a leisurely ambience that comes as a welcome contrast to the
bustle of most other modern northern towns. The liveliest time of day is
between 6am and 8am , when a busy market springs up behind the Mae Tee
Hotel, with stalls selling food, clothing and household goods, and colorful
hill tribe people mingle with the local populace. Otherwise the chief charm
of Mae Hong Son is strolling about scenic Jongkhum Lake, visiting various
temples in the area, and enjoying its cool climate during the winter months.
