ARCHITECTURE OF LANNA

Nithi Sthapitanonda

“Lanna Kingdom (1296-1558)

The foundation of the kingdom was in the late I3th century, accomplished by King Mangrai (Phaya Mangrai), the last king of Hirannakorn Ngoenyang Kingdom (the 25) who ascended to the throne after his father, King Laomeng. His mother was Queen Thep Kham Khayai, daughter of Thao Rungkhanchai who was the king of Ho Kham Chiang Rung Kingdom (now Xishuangbanna).

King Mangrai built the new capital by occupying many cities, including Hariphunchai, and building many new cities such as Chiang Rai, Viang Kum Kam in over 30 years. He expanded the kingdom's territory to the lowlands around the Kok, the Mekong, and the Ping. He ruled many significant cities and searched for a good location to build the new capital. Phra That Doi Chom Thong was built as the centre of Chiang Rai, but after the restoration, it was covered inside the new stupa. Lat-er, King Mangrai took Hariphunchai (Lamphun) and Viang Thagan, which was the frontier, resulting in the collapse of Hariphunchai in the late 13th century (1292). Also, King Mangrai built Viang Kum Kam in the Chiang Mai-Lamphun lowland near Hariphunchai, which was later flooded and ruined and became the historic site as it is today.

Finally, he found that Nopphaburi, Chiang Mai and Chetthaburi near Doi Suthep were suitable to be the capital. He named the city "Noppha-buri Srinakornpink Chiang Mai" and founded Lanna Kingdom in 1296 with his two companions: King Ruang of Sukhothai and King Ngam Mueang of Phayao who provided advice to him. They took the "vow of the three kings" to be allies and they praised Hariphunchai as the centre of Buddhism of Lanna Kingdom. In addition, Kelang (Lampang) of Hariphunchai was acquired shortly after the foundation of Chiang Mai when King Mangrai defeated an army of Kelang that marched to retake Hariphunchai. Later in 1327, King Saenphu returned to Hirannakorn Ngoenyang to restore and named it Chiang Saen.”