Northern Thailand comprises 17 provinces: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Kamphaeng Phet, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Nakhon Sawan, Nan, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phare, Sukhothai, Tak, Uthai Thani and Uttaradit. Covering a total area of some 169,644 square km, the Northern Region of Thailand is mountainous with dense jungles. It is also the sources of several important rivers including the Ping, Wang, Yom and Nan, which converge into the mighty Chao Phraya at Nakhon Sawan. The region borders on two countries, Laos and Burma with mountains and 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 east, the border touches mainly on Laos mostly by mountain ranges from Phetchabun upward through Uttaradit, Nan, Phayao and Chiang Rai. Only the sectors passing through Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong are marked by the Mekong along a stretch of 90 kilometers.

Prior to the 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 Thai, and the Lanna with Chiang Mai as its core, both flourished for about 200 years. The Kingdom of Sukhothai was founded in the 13th century when Khmer power was beginning to wane. Its 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 relations were established with China. Its power began to decline after two centuries, and finally became a vassal state of new rising power from the south, the Ayutthaya Kingdom. The Lanna Kingdom was established by King Mengrai with Chiang Mai as its centre in 1296, nineteen successive kings ruled the land and its splendor lasted 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 Rama I.

The north region is the cradle of Thailand's earliest civilization, famous for people’s hospitality and courtesy, there are quite many sites of archaeological and cultural interest, besides, it's also the home of many colorful hill tribal people such as Lahu, Akha, Karen, Hmong, and Lisu tribes of mountainous areas in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.

Chiang Rai is a province of northern Thailand, as well the northernmost province, Chiang Rai is situated on the Kok River basin 416 meters above sea level, has a mostly mountainous area of some 11,678 square km. It is about 785 km from Bangkok, sharing Mekong River as common border with Laos to the northeast and abuts on Burma to the north. Chiang Rai Town was founded in 1262 A.D. by King Mengrai, whose statue can be easily found on the way to Mae Chan. It used to be the capital of Lanna Kingdom and later was conquered by Burmese. It's not until 1786 that Chiang Rai became Thai territory and proclaimed a province during the reign of King Rama VI in 1910 A.D.

The province is rich in tourism resources in terms of natural attractions and antiquities or evidence of its past civilization. The main attraction for tourists is the so-called Golden Triangle, where opium was once grown in abundance. However, those expecting a 'wild-west' atmosphere will be disappointed, what will be found here are temples over 1,000 years old, small towns that are not too spoiled by modern tourism and relaxing atmosphere of life. Chiang Rai is also the home of some hill tribes who are still performing their traditional ways of living. Today, this small border town is becoming popular, but not quite over-run, among tourists looking for something of the old Thailand. In addition, lying in frontier region, Chiang Rai offers a tourism gateway into Myanmar and Laos, of course, along the Mekong to China, too.

Chiang Mai, popularly known as the Rose of the North, is the economic, cultural and communications hub of northern Thailand. With an altitude of approximately 310 meters above sea level, it’s situated approximately 700 kilometers from Bangkok on the Mae Ping River basin. Surrounded by high mountain ranges, the city covers an area of approximately 20,107 square kilometers and is the country's second largest province. Chiang Mai borders Myanmar on the north, Lamphun and Tak Provinces on the south, Chiang Rai, Lampang and Lamphun Provinces on the east and Mae Hong Son Province on the west, the terrain is mainly comprised of jungles and mountains, where exotic hill tribes reside and various wildlife species may be found.

Chiang Mai literally means new city and has retained the name despite having celebrated its 700th anniversary in 1996. King Meng Rai founded the city as the capital of the Lanna (A Million Rice Fields) Kingdom on Thursday, 12th April 1296 during the same period of time as the establishment of the Sukhothai Kingdom. King Meng Rai the Great conferred with his friends, King Ramkhamhaeng of Sukhothai and King Ngam Muang of Phayao before choosing the site where the capital of the Lanna Kingdom was to be founded. From then, Chiang Mai not only became the capital and cultural core of the Lanna Kingdom, it was also the centre of Buddhism in northern Thailand. King Meng Rai himself was very religious and founded many of the city's temples, which are still important today. The Burmese conquered the Lanna Kingdom in 1556 ending the dynasty founded by King Meng Rai that lasted over 250 years. As Burma had occupied Chiang Mai for nearly 200 years, Burmese architectural influences are visible in many temples. At the end of the 18th century, King Taksin the Great regrouped the Thais in the south and finally drove the Burmese out with the help of King Kawila of Lampang thereby regaining Thai independence from Burma. Chiang Mai was then governed by a succession of princes who ruled the north as a Siamese protectorate under the Chakri dynasty. In the late 19th century, King Rama V appointed a high commissioner in Chiang Mai and it was only in 1939 that Chiang Mai finally came under the control of the government in Bangkok the same time the country was renamed Thailand.

Experiencing the merging of the past into the present, in Chiang Mai the locals are proud of the city's 700-year history, its rich traditional heritage and unique culture is a perfect foundation for the development of the city. Chiang Mai is one of the few places in Thailand where it is possible to find in the heart of the town centuries-old chedis and temples next to modern convenience stores and boutique hotels. The original city layout still exists as a neat square surrounded by a moat with vestiges of the fortified wall and its four main gates offering prime access to the old town. The old city of Chiang Mai with its fascinating indigenous cultural identity such as diverse dialects, cuisine, architecture, traditional values, festivals, handicrafts and classical dances is a prime location in its own right. In addition, the presence of hill tribes and their wealth of unique cultures enhance Chiang Mai's distinctive diversity. Chiang Mai is also blessed with pristine natural resources of mountains (dois), waterfalls, and other nature-based tourism attractions. And, local residents are warm, gracious and congenial providing authentic hospitality making visits memorable and meaningful. Moreover, visitors from all walks of life can collect handicrafts of silk, silver and wood produced locally as timeless souvenirs. Chiang Mai is a place where both backpackers and luxury tourists can enjoy themselves to the fullest.

In the past, Chiang Mai was only accessible by river and elephants. More convenient access was achieved only when the railway line was completed in the late 1920's. Moreover, the first motor vehicle driven directly from Bangkok arrived in Chiang Mai in 1932. Such isolation was more favorable to Chiang Mai as it helped to preserve the unique Lanna culture.

Sukhothai can’t be overlooked when talking of northern Thailand. Located in the valley of the Yom River, Sukhothai, meaning “Dawn of Happiness”, is a province in northern Thailand which verges on the central regions. It is around 427 km north of Bangkok or some 298 km south of Chiang Mai, territory is totaled at around 6,600 square km and is divided into 9 prefectures: Muang Sukhothai, Ban Dan Lan Hoi, Khiri Mat, Kong Krailat, Sawankhalok, Si Nakhon, Si Samrong, Si Satchanalai and Thung Saliam.

This is a town reputed for long history. Around 760 years ago, two princes-Pho Khun Pha Muang and Pho Khun Bang Klang Hao from southern tribes combined their forces and fought the Khmers who commanded an extensive empire throughout this part of the world. They drove the Khmers out of Sukhothai, a major frontier post of the Khmer Empire, and established Sukhothai Kingdom here in the year 1238 A. D., it was the first truly independent Thai Kingdom on Southeast Asian Peninsula. Pho Khun Bang Klang Hao was urged by the people to be king, he had two sons-Pho Khun Ban Mueang and Pho Khun Ramkhamhaeng, Pho Khun Ban Mueang succeeded his father after his death, later in 1278, the younger brother, Pho Khun Ramkhamhaeng ascended the throne, and became the first great king in the history of Thailand. Sukhothai enjoyed a golden age under the 40-year-long rule of King Ramkhamhaeng, he made Sukhothai a powerful and extensive kingdom which included many parts of today’s neighboring countries, opened direct political relations with China and introduced Chinese potting technology into ancient Thailand, invented Thai alphabets which are essentially the same as that is in use today…King Ramkhamhaeng also promoted religion and culture, through his efforts, Buddhism made headway. Inspirational faith gave birth to the classic forms of Thai religious arts; images of the Lord Buddha sculpture during the Sukhothat Era are cultural treasures which impart a feeling of peace and serenity.

During 120 yeas of being the capital of ancient Thailand, a total of eight kings ruled Sukhothai Kingdom. The gradual decline of Sukhothai started during the reigns of the last two kings, and the independence of this first Thai Kingdom ended in 1365 when it became a vassal state of Ayutthaya, a young and rising power to the south of it.

The superb temples and monuments of this great city have been well restored in Sukhothai Historical Park---a place with countless sites of historical interest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see for every visitor to this city.

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