The
Kingdom of Lanna, the Kingdom of a million rightfields, comprises of 8
provinces in the upper northern region of Thailand. They are Chiang Mai,
Lamphun, Lam Pang, Phare, Nan, Thoen, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son, nowadays.
Many parts of this region are the site of prehistoric communities. These
areas were also the site of a large city prior to the founding of the
Lanna Kingdom and prior to the establishment of Chiang Mai as the center
of that Kingdom. Phaya Mangrai had built a new city at the base of Doi
Suthep since the year 1834 B.E., and completed in 1839 B.E. with the support
from King Ngam Muang's Phayao and King Ramkhamhaeng's Sukothai. The city
where Muang La Meng (the Lawa capital), Pinkarat, Wiang Chet Rin, Chesanthaburi,
Wiang Nophaburi and Wiang Suan Dok were formerly communities of the site
had been, was named at Wiang Mai and became to be known as Chiang Mai,
nowadays.
At
the time that Phraya Mangrai established Chiang Mai, the original city,
Chiang Rai and Chiang Saen were stilled powered. After Phraya Kham Fu
(Phraya Mangrai descendant) annexed Phayao to Lanna Kingdom. Later. Phraya
Pha Yu the son of Phraya Kham Fu returned the administrative center of
the Lanna Kingdom to Chiang Mai. Phraya Pha Yu's son, Phraya Keu Na, the
6th King of Lanna, introduced the Langka Wong creed, and brought on the
Golden Age of Lanna (1898-2068 B.E.). The good example of Langka Wong
Buddha image style is the Phra Buddha Shing at Wat Phra Singh, Chiang
Mai. Phraya Tilokarat (the 9th king, ruled 1442 - 1487, B.E)seized powered
from his father and brought Lanna power to the peak. He annexed Nan, Phrae
and expanded west into Shan State and consolidated past Chiang Rung.
It
can be said that Lanna culture can be divided into two major groups, the
first an original Lanna group who were located at Chiang Rai, Chiang Saen
in Chiang Rai and Phayao, and the second group which had the Mon, Burmese,
and Sukothai influenced who could be found at Chiang Mai (included Chaiprakarn,
Prao, Fang and Hod), Lamphun and Lampang. In addition, there is the culture
specific to minority groups in different regions such as the culture of
Mae Hong Son, which is authentic Tai Yai, as well as the culture which
is half hilltribe (Tai Lue, Tai Lour, Tai Keon) found in Phrae and Nan.
Lan Chang (Laos) also strong influenced Nan. However, each city still
displayed their unique style.
