Lanna

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This article is part of the History of Thailand series
Early history of Thailand
Sukhothai Kingdom (1238 - 1438)
Ayutthaya Kingdom (1350 - 1767)
* History of Thailand:
1768–1932
1932–1973
1973–
* Regional History:
Dvaravati
Srivijaya (3rd century -1400)
Hariphunchai
Lanna
Nakhon Si Thammarat
History of Isan
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Lanna (English One Million Thai Rice Fields, Thai: ล้านนา) was a kingdom in the north of Thailand around the city of Chiang Mai. It consisted of several partly independent city-states.

The kingdom was founded in 1259 by King Mengrai the Great, when he succeeded his father as the leader of the Chiang Saen kingdom. In 1262 he founded the city Chiang Rai as his capital, naming it after himself. The kingdom quickly grew by unifying the many local Thai rulers of the area under his leadership, as well as by enlarging to the south by annexing the Mon kingdom of Haripunchai in 1292 - the area around the modern-day cities Lampang and Lamphun. In 1296 he founded the city of Chiang Mai as the new capital of the kingdom with help from allies Ngam Muang of Phayao and Ramkhamhaeng of Sukhothai.

The golden age of Lanna was in the 15th century. In 1477 the 8th Buddhist council was held near Chiang Mai, which worked on improving the Buddhist scriptures. The previously independent city-state Nan, capital of a Thai Lue people, was added to the kingdom in 1449.

The decline of the kingdom started in the early 16th century, and became worse after the death of King Phraya Kaeo in 1526. There was fighting over who should succeed him. Some of the kings were assassinated; others had to abdicate. This political instability invited an invasion from the neighboring Burmese kingdom, and in 1558 Lanna had to surrender and thus became a vassal of Burma. When the dynasty of Mengrai became extinct in 1578, the Burmese sent their own princes to serve as rulers of Lanna.

The Thai kings of Ayutthaya tried to capture Lanna several times, as the Burmese posed a threat to their kingdom as well. Even though around 1600 King Naresuan, and later in 1662 King Narai as well, succeeded in occupying Chiang Mai, they were repulsed by the Burmese after a short time.

In the early 1700s the Burmese divided the kingdom into a northern part, ruled from Chiang Saen, and a southern part, ruled from Chiang Mai. The northern part was for all practical purposes annexed by Burma, while the southern continued to be a vassal state.

After the Burmese destroyed Ayutthaya, King Taksin drove the Burmese out of Siam or Central Thailand. In the North, King Taksin helped Prince Kawila of Lampang to successfully drove out the Burmese. In the night of February 14, 1775 Chiang Mai fell to the Thai. Prince Kawila became the first King of Lanna under Siamese rulership. King Rama I after ascending to the throne, awarded Kawila with more power, Kawila become the King of the Northern Kingdom who ruled 57 cities. The two monarchs has become more closed. Not only Princess Sri Anocha, King Kawila's sister, married to Crown Prince Boonma, King Rama I's only brother, but Princess Dararasmi, King Inthawichayanon's daughter also become King Rama V's Princess Consort. In 1877 a Viceroy from Bangkok was sending to help the King. In 1892 Lanna was formally annexed by Siam, and administrated as the Monthon Phayap. The last of the Lannathai kings, Kaew Naovarat, never held any true administrative power. Upon his death in 1939, no successor was named to replace him.

[edit] The Kings of Lanna

Mengrai Dynasty

• Mengrai the Great, 1259-1317
• Saen Phu, 1318-1319
• Krüa, 1319-1322
• Nam Thuam, 1322-1324
• Saen Phu (second reign), 1324-1334
• Kamphoo, 1334-1345
• Phayaoo, 1345-1367
• Kuena, 1367-1385
• Saen Muang Ma, 1385-1411
• Sam Fang Kaen, 1411-1441
• Tilokaraj, 1441-1485
• Yotchiangrai, 1485-1514
• Phraya Kaeo (Mueang Kaeo), 1514-1525
• Sai Sethathirath (Ketklao), 1525-1535, 1543-1545
• Queen Chiraprabha, 1545-1547, 1564-1578
• Mekuti, 1551-1564

In the reign of Burma (1578-1774)

• Sawati Noratra Mangsosri 1578-1607
• Pra Soy 1607-1609, 1613-1615
• Pra Chaiyathip 1609-1613
• King of Nan 1615-1631
• Phraya Luang Thippanet 1631-1655
• Phra Saen Muang 1655-1659
• King of Phrae 1659-1672
• Viceroy Ungsae from Ava 1672-1675
• Cheputrai 1675-?
• Mang Raenara 1707-1727
• Thepsingh 1727
• Ong Kham 1727-1759
• Chan 1759-1761
• Keehood 1761-1763
• Po Aphai Kamini 1763-1768
• Po Mayu Nguan 1768-1774

Tipchakratiwong or Chao Chet Ton (The Seven Kings) Dynasty

• Kawila, 1775-1815
• Dharma Lanka, 1815-1821
• Sethi Kamphan, 1821-1825
• Budhawong, 1825-1846
• Mahotara Pradeth, 1846-1854
• Kawirolos Suriyawong, 1854-1870
• Inthawichayanon, 1870-1897
• Inthawaroros Suriyawong, 1897-1909
• Kaew Naovarat, 1909-1939

all the rulers of this dynasty : [1]

[edit] Historical Writings on Lanna

• The Chiang Mai chronicles - Probably started in the late 15th century and enlarged with every copying of the palm leaves manuscript. Current version is from 1828, English translation available as ISBN 974-7100-62-2.
• Jinakaramalini - composed by Ratanapañña (16th c.) an account of the early rise of Buddhism in Thailand and details on many historical events.

[edit] References

• Hans Penth - A brief history of Lan Na, ISBN 974-7551-32-2
• Michael Freeman - Lanna, Thailand's Northern Kingdom, ISBN 974-8225-27-5
• David K. Wyatt, Aroonrut Wichienkeeo - The Chiang Mai Chronicle, ISBN 974-7100-62-2
• Kampee Kampeerayannon, GP CAPT - Royal Family of Northern Thai Kingdom, http://www.globalgroup.in.th/encyclopedia_lanna.html