About Northen Region

Convering atotal area of some 169,644 sqaure kilo,etres, the morthern Region of Thailand is manly mountainous with dense jungles. It is also the sources of several importtant rives including the Ping, Wang, Yom and Nan, which converge into the mighty Chao Phraya at nakhon Sawan. Because of its fertile soil, farming flourishes. The North has been the location of many ancient civilisations and today remains fairly poouloua.

 Territoral Area
The region borders on two countries, both by mountains 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 ease, the border touches mainly on laos dearcated mostly by mountain ranges from Phetchabun upwrd therough Uttaradit, Nan, Phayao and Chiang Rai. Only the sectors passing through Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong districts are marked by the maekhong River along a stretch of 90 kilometres.

 History In Brief 
Evidence of long occupation by minorities has been found in the sites around the present - day basin areas. Each group followed its own lifestyle and developed individual cultural and commercial contacts among the groups inevitably led to inter - cultural blending among them selves.
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 ecame much more exact in the 13th century when large and small cities ware merged into kingdoms. Prominent were the Sukhhothai Khingdom ruled by the Thais. And the lanna with chiang mai as its core. Both Kingdoms emerged almost during the same period and both flourished for about 200 years.

The Kingdom of Sukhothai was founded in the 13th century when Khmer power was biginning to wane. Lts power vase was in the Yom basin with Dukhothai as its capital. There were several cities under its dominstion including kamphaeng phet and Phitsanulok. Sukhothai reached its zenith of 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 contacts were established with china. Lts power began to decline after two centuries and the kingdom was eventually absorbed into the Ayutthay Kingdom which held sway in the central region.

The lanna Kingdom was established by King Mengrai with Chiang Mai as its centre. Nineteen successive kings ruled the land lasting 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 Ramal.

 Transportation 
By Car - Phahonyothin is the main highway from Bangkok connectiong the central region with the North all the way to Chaing Rai, which is the uppermost province in the North. Branching out from Phahonyothin are secondary highways leading to all northern provinces and many other districts.

Provincial bus services run between the provincial seat and various districts. There are also inter-provincial servies. In major cities such as Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Phitsanulok are car rental services to go to tourist attractions. For more traditional mode of transport, try pedaltricycles which are available in all provinces. It is suggested that fares be negotiated beforehand.

By Train - There are daily train services starting from Hua lamphong Station in Bangkok which run through Bang Pa - In, Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, NaKhon Sawan, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Uttaradit, Den Chai, lampang, Khun Tan, lamphun, and terminate in Chiang mai. Call 223-7010, 223-7020 for more information.

By Boat - Most of the boating routes in the North are desingned for sightseeing purposes. Some major routings include cruising the Ping River by large tour boats from the Bhumiphol Dam in Tak to Doi Tao in Chiang Mai. Or Travelling by boats or rafts from Tha Ton in Chiang Mai along the Kok River to Chiang Rai. Then there is boating Chaing Saen district of the Golden Triangle to Chiang Khong.

Bay Air - Thai Airways Internation operates frequent flights rrom Bangkok to northern destination - Chiang mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Phitsanuiok, Phrae, nan, Mae Hont son and Mae sot. There arealso inter - provincial services between ChiangMai and other destinations such as Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, mae Sot, nan, Phitsanulok and Phuket, as well as between Nan and Phitsanulok.