Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai, also Chiengmai or Kiangmai, city in northern Thailand, the capital of Chiang Mai Province, on the Ping River (Mae Nam Ping), about 130 km (about 80 mi) from the border with Myanmar (formerly known as Burma). One of Thailand's largest cities, Chiang Mai is the chief economic center for the northern part of the country and the northern railroad terminus. Many tourists are attracted by the ruins of 13th- and 14th-century temples in the old section of the city, on the western bank of the river, and by the nearby Wat Phra Dhat Doi Suthep temple complex, believed to contain relics of Buddha. Besides tourism, industries include trade in locally produced agricultural products, and the production of traditional silverware, lacquerware, pottery, and other handcrafted items. Chiang Mai University (1964) and the Northern Technical Institute (1957) are here. The Lao people constitute the city's main ethnic group.

Chiang Mai was founded in 1296 on the site of an 11th-century settlement as the capital and religious center of the Lan Na Thai Kingdom. It was part of Burma from 1558 until 1775. Thereafter, the city was semi-independent until it was incorporated into modern Thailand (Siam) in the late 19th century. Population (2000) 167,776.