|
 History
(overview) of Chiang Mai and North Thailand
Geography
of Chiang Mai
Climate
in Chiang Mai
Chiang
Mai Government Agencies and Usefull Addresses
History (overview)
of Chiang Mai and North Thailand
THE ROSE OF THE NORTH
 Lanna,
land of a million rice fields, is the name by which the area of Chiang Mai
and the North have been known for centuries. Bordered by the Mekong River
and the mountains of Burma, and walled off by jungles from the central
plains, Lanna - and the city of Chiang Mai - lived in remote splendour until
this century.
The early power bases were along the Mekong
River. In the mid-13th century, King Mengrai marched south to create an
empire in the Kok River Valley, establishing first the city of Chiang Rai,
in 1296. After capturing Haripunchai (now Lamphun) and securing joint
leadership of Phayao, he sought a more central headquarters and looked
for one in the Ping River Valley.
Here, Mengrai constructed a fortress and
a temple, Chedi Luang. But, as they were unsuitable, he moved further north
to establish Chiang Mai (New City) in 1296.
Because the Ping River frequently overflowed
its banks, Mengrai built the royal city of Chiang Mai on high ground to
the west, surrounding it with a brick and earth wall 1 mile on each side
and surrounded by a defensive moat. A smaller wall once embraced a residential
section.
Parts of the Chiang Mai walls are still intact
today, and the area within is called 'the old city'
The flowering of Lanna culture dates from
the reign of warrior King Tilokaraja. So influential was he that the 8th
world Buddhist Council was held in Chiang Mai in 1455.
Less than a century later, however, the
kingdom and Chiang Mai were embroiled in many disputes, a situation the
Burmese were quick to exploit. After repeated battles, Chiang Mai fell to
King Bayinnaung of Pegu, in 1558 and was ruled by the Burmese for the next
two centuries.
While Burma spared Chiang Mai, the destruction
that it visited upon Ayutthaya in 1767 was devastating. The Burmese conscripted
Chiang Mai's young men and appropriated supplies for its war against Laos.
So severe did the hardships become, that Chiang Mai was depopulated.
Chiang Mai remained empty for 20 years
until Prince Kawila ('the hero of Chiang Mai') triumphed over the Burmese
in 1799 and established his headquarters in the city. For most of the 19th
century, Chiang Mai was ignored by Burma.
When the European colonial power began
coveting the region, Bangkok's rulers realised their sovereignty over the
area of Chiang Mai was in danger. In 1877, a Thai Viceroy took up residence
in Chiang Mai and, untill 1939, ruled through a Chiang Mai Prince.
Chiang Mai acquired new importance with
the dawn of the 20th century. A railway, begun in 1898, was pushed north
through thick jungles and mountains, the last rail being laid in 1921.
But, while cities to the south began to
grow as a result of investment by US government, Chiang Mai remained stable. It is only in the last 15 years that Chiang Mai started experiencing
rapid growth.
So far, Chiang Mai has happily managed
to avoid beeing changed too greatly by the outside world, and has retained
its charm and centuries-old culture. With careful development, the attractions
of Chiang Mai have been preserved. Today more people that ever enjoy the comfort
and charm of Chiang Mai.
Geography
of Chiang Mai
Situated between north latitude 17-21
and east longitude 98-99, the province of Chiang Mai is found in the upper
area of Thailand's northern region. The distance from Chiang Mai to Bangkok
is 750 kilometres (468.75 miles). Chiang Mai valley is 310 meters (1,027
feet) above sea level, and its land covers 20,107 square kilometres. The
widest point of the province of Chiang Mai measures 136 kilometres (85 miles),
and the longest 320 kilometres (200 miles).
To the north, a 227 kilometres (141.82
miles) stretch of mountains divides Chiang Mai northern districts of Fang
and Mae Ai from Burma Chiang Tung (Shan) state. In certain areas, the Kok
River also acts as a border between Chiang Mai and Burma. On the east, Chiang Mai
is bordered by the Chiang Rai, Lampang and Lamphun provinces. The Mae Tuen
River, ream Mountain and Luang Mountain separate Chiang Mai South from the
province of Tak. Some portions of Chiang Mai South also border the Lamphun
province. To the west, Chiang Mai is bordered by Mae Hong Son Province.
Climate in
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai popularity stems in part from
its pleasant climate. Temperatures from mid-November to January average
between 13C and 28C (56F and 83F) in Chiang Mai; the hills are even colder.
Temperatures in Chiang Mai begin rising
in February and in the hot season (March-May) range between 17C and 36C
(63F and 97F). In the rainy season (June-mid November), the highs can drop
but the lows not at all.
There is no considerable variation between
day and night-times temperatures in Chiang Mai.
The monsoon in Chiang Mai begins in May
and ends in October, earlier than in Central Thailand.
The rain generally falls sporadically
- except during August and September when the streets of Chiang Mai can
sometimes flood.
Chiang Mai
TAT Government Agencies
and Usefull Addresses
Tel (66 - 53) ...
Academic Institutes in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai University Huey Kaew Rd. Tel. 221 699
Chiang Mai Dramatic Art College Suriwong Rd. Tel. 282 196
Maejo University Chiang Mai-Prao Rd. Tel. 498 858
Payap University Superhighway Chiang Mai-Lampang Tel. 241 255
Club Associations in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai Guide Association 334 Nimmanhemin Rd. Tel. 212 942
Chiang Mai Tourist & Business 100/19 Huey Kaew Rd. Tel. 212 373
Chiang Mai Restaurant Club 90/7 Superhighway Rd. Tel. 214 999
Northern Hotel Association 199 Changklan Rd. Tel 270 240
Northern Guesthouse Club 133 Chotana Rd. Tel. 217 513
The Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce Hillside Plaza Building, Huey
Kaew Rd. Tel 222 462
Golf Clubs in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai-Lamphun Golf Club Sankampaeng Rd. Tel. 248 321-2
Chiang Mai Green Valley Country Club Chotana Rd. Tel. 298 249
Gymkhana Club Chiang Mai-Lamphun Rd. Tel. 241 035
Lanna Golf Course Chotana Rd. Tel. 221 911
Maesa Resort Golf Maerim-Samoeng Rd. Tel. 248 180
Government Agencies in Chiang
Mai
Chiang Mai Provincial Hall Chotana Rd. Tel. 214 197
Chiang Mai Municipal Office Vichayanon Rd. Tel. 232 588-90
Chiang Mai Public Relations Office Chotana Rd. Tel. 210 055
Communication Authority of Thailand, Region 5 Super Highway Chiang
Mai-Lampang Rd. Tel. 279 758
Divisional Forest Office Charoenprathet Rd. Tel. 276 100
Electric Administration Area 1 Chiang Mai-Lamphun Rd. Tel. 241 018
Fine Art Department Chiang Mai Super Highway Chiang Mai-Lampang Rd.
Tel. 222 262
Chiang Mai Information Centre Prisanee Rd. Tel. 252 557
Muang District Office Inthawarorot Rd. Tel. 221 016
Northern Industrial Promotion Centre Tung Hotel Rd. Tel. 248 315
Provincial Telephone Administrative Tung Hotel Rd. Tel. 248 757
Provincial Waterwork Authority Wang Singha Kam Rd. Tel 233 478
Royal Project Office Suthep Rd. Tel. 278 204
Tourism Authority of Thailand(TAT) Chiang Mai-Lamphun Rd. Tel. 248
604, 248 607
Tribal Research Institute and Library Huey Kaew Rd. Tel. 221 933
Chiang Mai Jail Kangruenjum Rd. Tel. 221 231
Hospitals in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai Ram Hospital 8/4 Boonrueng Rit Rd. Tel. 224851
Chiang Mai Maharaj Hospital Suthep Rd. Tel. 221122
Police Stations in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai Main Police Station Ratchadamnoen Rd. Tel. 221 040
Chiang Mai Tourist Police Office Chiang Mai-Lamphun Rd. Tel. 248 974
Transport Stations in Chiang
Mai
Chiang Mai Bus Station 1 Chotana Rd. Tel. 211 584
Chiang Mai Bus Station 2 Super Highway Rd. Tel. 242 664
Chiang Mai International Airport Airport Rd. Tel. 270 222
Chiang Mai Railway Station Charoen Muang Rd. Tel. 242 094
Chiang Mai Customs Airport Rd. Tel.277 695
Chiang Mai ForeignTrade Office Airport Rd. Tel. 277 901, 277 647
Chiang Mai Immigration Office Airport Rd. Tel. 277 510
|
15 min. Walk to Night Bazaar.
