Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is both a city and a province in Thailand. For the province, see Chiang Mai province.

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Chiang Mai (thai เชียงใหม่) is a city in northern Thailand. Geographical location 18° 48' North, 98° 59' East. Population 174,000. Chiang Mai is capital of the Chiang Mai province.

The city was founded by King Mengrai[?] in 1296 and did succeed Chiang Rai as capital of the Lannathai kingdom. After the decline of the Lannathai kingdom the city lost importance, and was often occupied by either the Burmese or the Thai from Ayutthaya. After the fall of Ayutthaya in April 1767 the city was so much depopulated due to the wars that it was deserted for the fifteen years 1776-1791. Lampang[?] was capital of the Lannathai for that time.