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 Covering a total area of some 169,644 square kilometres,
the Northern Region of Thailand is mainly 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. Because of its fertile soil, farming flourishes. The North has
been the location of many ancient civilisations and today remains fairly
populous.
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TERRITORIAL AREA:
The region borders on two countries, both by 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 demarcated mostly by mountain ranges from Phetchabun
upward through 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.
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 cultures. Cultural and commercial
contacts among the groups inevitably led to inter-cultural blending
among themselves.
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 Thais, 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 contacts were established with China. Its power began
to decline after two centuries and the 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 Rama
I.
By Car - Phahonyothin
is the main highway from Bangkok connecting the central region with
the North all the way to Chiang 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.
Passenger buses and coaches are available at the
Mo Chit Bus Terminal on Kamhaeng Phet Road serving all provinces and
major districts. Call for information at 936-2852-66.
Provincial bus services run between the provincial
seat and various districts. There are also inter-provincial services.
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 pedal tricycles which are available in all provinces.
It is suggested that fares be negotiated beforehand.
By Train - There
are daily train services starting from Hua Lumphong 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 designed for sightseeing purposes.
Some major routing include cruising the Ping River by large tour boats
from the Bhumiphil Dam in Tak Doi Tao in Chiang Mai. Or Travelling by
boats or rafts from Tha Ton in Chiang Mai along the Kok River by long-tailed
boats in Chiang Rai from Chiang Saen District of the Golden Triangle
to Chiang Khong.
By Air - Thai Airways
International operates frequent flights from Bangkok to Northern destinations
-Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Phitsanulok, Phrae, Nan, Mae Hong
Son and Mae Sot. There are also inter-provincial services between Chiang
Mai and other destinations such as Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Mae Sot,
Nan, Phitsanulok and Phuket, as well as between Nan and Phitsanulok.
For more information, Call Thai Airways at 1566 or 628-2000.
In additions, Bangkok Airways (Tel: 229-3456) operates
flights between Bangkok-Sukhothai an Sukhothai-Chiang Mai. Angel Airlines
(953-1111, 953-2260) flies Bangkok-Chiang Mai-Udon Thani.
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