|
|
|
|
  Convering
atotal area of some 169,644 square kilometres,
the northern Region of Thailand is mainly
mountainous with dense jungles. It is
also the sources of several importtant
rives including the Ping, Wang, Yom
and Nan, which converge into the mighty
Chao Phraya at Nakhon Sawan. Because
of its fertile soil, farming flourishes.
The North has been the location of many
ancient civilisations and today remains
fairly poouloua.
The
region borders on two countries, both
by mountains rivers. The northern frontier
runs from Tak Province upward to Mae
Hong Son, some districts of Chiang Mai
and on to Chiang Rai. To the ease, the
border touches mainly on Laos demarcated
mostly by mountain ranges from Phetchabun
upwrd through Uttaradit, Nan, Phayao
and Chiang Rai. Only the sectors passing
through Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong
districts are marked by the Maekhong
River along a stretch of 90 kilometres.
|
|
| Historical
Background in Brief |
Evidence
of long occupation by minorities has
been found in the sites around the present
- day basin areas. Each group followed
its own lifestyle and developed individual
cultural and commercial contacts among
the groups inevitably led to inter -
cultural blending among them selves.
|
|
|
|
 Prior
to thee 12th century, the land was under
the domination of the mons and the Khmers.
There are chronicles and legends on
ancient towns particularly of the upper
area of the Mekong basin. Historical
records became much more exact in the
13th century when large and small cities
were merged into kingdoms. Prominent
were the Sukhothai Kingdom ruled by
the Thais.And the lanna with Chiang
Mai as its core. Both kingdoms emerged
almost during the same period and both
flourished for about 200 years.
The
Kingdom of Sukhothai was founded in
the 13th century when Khmer power was
beginning to wane. Lts power base was
in the Yom basin with Sukhothai as its
capital. There were several cities under
its domination including Kamphaeng phet
and Phitsanulok. Sukhothai reached its
zenith of influence during the reign
of King Ramkamhaneg the Great militarily,
administratively, culturally and commercially.
Close commercial contacts were established
with China. Lts power began to decline
after two centuries and the kingdom
was eventually absorbed into the Ayutthaya
Kingdon, which held sway in the central
region.
The
Lanna Kingdom was established by King
Mengrai with Chiang Mai as its centre.
Nineteen successive kings ruled the
land lasting about 280 years before
it fell to the Burmese (circa 16th Century).
Some two hundred years later, the Thip
Chang dynasty was founded and ruled
Lanna as a vassal state of Thailand
during the reign of King RamaI. |
|
|
|
