Chiang Mai province explained

Chiang Mai
Official Name:จังหวัดเชียงใหม่ ·
Settlement Type:Province
Translit Lang1:Other
Founder:Mangrai
Mottoes:ดอยสุเทพเป็นศรี ประเพณีเป็นสง่า บุปผชาติล้วนงามตา นามล้ำค่านครพิงค์
("Famed Doi Suthep. Elegant traditions. Beautiful blossoms. Invaluable name of Nakhonphing.")
Anthem:นครเชียงใหม่
Nakhon Chaing Mai(De facto)
Seat Type:Capital
Seat:Chiang Mai
Leader Title:Governor
Leader Name:Nirat Pongsitthaworn
(since 2022)[1]
Leader Name1:Pichai Lertpongadisorn
Area Footnotes:[2]
Area Total Km2:22,311
Area Rank:1st
Population Footnotes:[3]
Population Total:1,799,019
Population As Of:2024
Population Rank:4th
Population Density Km2:80
Population Density Rank:61st
Demographics Type2:GDP
Demographics2 Footnotes:[4]
Demographics2 Title1:Total
Demographics2 Info1:baht 232 billion
(US$8.0 billion) (2019)
Demographics Type1:Human Achievement Index
Demographics1 Footnotes:[5]
Demographics1 Title1:HAI (2022)
Translit Lang1 Info2:清邁 / 清迈
cêng1 mai6
Qīngmài
Translit Lang1 Type2:Chinese
Demographics1 Info1:0.6179 "low"
Ranked 68th
Timezone1:ICT
Utc Offset1:+7
Postal Code Type:Postal code
Postal Code:50xxx
Area Code Type:Calling code
Area Code:052 & 053
Iso Code:TH-50
Registration Plate:เชียงใหม่
Blank Name Sec2:Accession into Siam (Thailand)
Blank Info Sec2:1910
Website:
Translit Lang1 Type1:Northern Thai
Native Name:เชียงใหม่
Nickname:Nakhon Phing (Thai: นครพิงค์)
Pic:Lanna- Thai Chiang Mai.svg
Piccap:"Chiang Mai" in Thai language (top) and
Northern Thai with Tai Tham script (bottom)
Picsize:160px
Tha:เชียงใหม่
Rtgs:Chiang Mai
Lang1:Northern Thai
Lang1 Content:
pronounced as /[tɕīaŋ màj]/

Chiang Mai is the largest province (changwat) of Thailand by area.[6] [7] It lies in upper northern Thailand and has a population of 1.78 million people. It is bordered by Chiang Rai to the northeast, Lampang and Lamphun to the south, Tak to the southwest, Mae Hong Son to the west, and Shan State of Burma to the north. The capital, Chiang Mai, is north of Bangkok.

Geography

Chiang Mai province is about 685km (426miles) from Bangkok in the Mae Ping River basin and is on average at 300m (1,000feet) elevation. Surrounded by the mountain ranges of the Thai highlands, it covers an area of approximately 22311km2. The mountains of the Daen Lao Range (Thai: ทิวเขาแดนลาว) at the north end of the province, the Thanon Thong Chai Range (Thai: เทือกเขาถนนธงชัย) with the highest mountain in Thailand, Doi Inthanon at, stretching in a north–south direction, and the Khun Tan Range in the east of the province are covered by rain forest. The Mae Ping, one of the major tributaries of the Chao Phraya River, originates in the Daen Lao mountains. Several national parks are in the province: Doi Inthanon,[8] Doi Suthep-Pui,[9] Ob Luang,[10] Sri Lanna,[11] Huai Nam Dang,[12] Mae Wang,[13] and Pha Daeng.[14] The total forest area is 15404km² or 69.6 percent of provincial area.[15]

National parks

Fourteen of the fifteen national parks of region 16 (Chiang Mai), Mae Ping National Park is not in Chiang Mai province, form protected areas in Chiang Mai province.[16] [17] (Visitors in fiscal year 2024).[18]

1405km2    (89,382)
1252km2  (121,109)
1123km2    (39,534)
   553km2    (36,270)
Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park     524km2    (70,129)
   482km2  (853,856)
   433km2     (1,387)
   354km2    (24,983)
   303km2         (939)
   257km2  (296,088)
   227km2    (98,972)
   208km2    (18,053)
   119km2    (66,042)
     86km2  (385,316)

Wildlife sanctuaries

Three of the four wildlife sanctuaries in region 16 (Chiang Mai), Omkoi wildlife sanctuary is not in Chiang mai province, form protected areas in Chiang Mai province.

Mae Lao-Mae Sae Wildlife Sanctuary 
  

Climate

Chiang Mai has a tropical wet and dry climate (Köppen Aw), tempered by the low latitude and moderate elevation, with warm to hot weather year-round, though nighttime conditions during the dry season can be cool and are much lower than daytime highs. The maximum temperature ever recorded is in May 2005.[19]

Demographics

Of the population, 13.4 percent in the province are members of hill tribes

Symbols

The seal of the province shows a white elephant in a glass pavilion. The white elephant is a royal symbol in Thailand, and it is depicted to remember the offering of a white elephant by Thammalangka, a ruler of Chiang Mai, to his overlord, King Rama II of Bangkok. The pavilion symbolizes that Buddhism prospered in Chiang Mai, especially when in 1477 the teachings of Buddha, the Tripitaka, were reviewed.[20]

The provincial flower and tree is the "flame of the forest" (Butea monosperma). The edible cyprinid fish "black sharkminnow" (Labeo chrysophekadion) is the provincial aquatic life.

The provincial slogan is In the shadow of Mount Doi Suthep, blessed with rice customs and traditions, beautiful wild flowers, magnificent Nakhon Phing.

History

See main article: Kingdom of Chiang Mai and Lan Na Kingdom.

The city of Chiang Mai, the capital of Chiang Mai province, was also capital of the Lanna Kingdom after its founding in 1296, during the same period of time as the establishment of the Sukhothai Kingdom.[21] From then, Chiang Mai not only became the capital and cultural core of the Lanna Kingdom, but also the centre of Buddhism in northern Thailand. King Meng Rai built many temples in the region.

In 1558, Chiang Mai became a colony of the First Toungoo Empire. Chiang Mai remained its colony for more than 200 years, until the Burmese–Siamese War (1775–1776). In 1774 the Burmese colonial regime were finally driven out of Chiang Mai by a coalition of Lanna and Siamese forces and it then became a tributary state of Siam, which later installed a Lanna chieftain ally, Kawila, to independently rule over Lampang and Chiang Mai region as a monarch.

In the reign of King Rama V of Siam, under his administrative centralization policy and due to the ineptitude of Chiang Mai's ruling family, Chiang Mai eventually lost its independence, was annexed and became a second level subdivision of Siam.[22]

From 1933 on, Chiang Mai received its status as a "province" of Siam and has remained so until the present day.[23]

Religion

Administrative divisions and postal codes

Chiang Mai is subdivided into 25 districts (amphoe). The districts are further divided into 204 subdistricts (tambon) and 2,066 villages (muban).

  1. Mueang Chiang Mai: 50000
  2. Chom Thong: 50160
  3. Mae Chaem: 50270
  4. Chiang Dao: 50170
  5. Doi Saket: 50220
  6. Mae Taeng: 50150
  7. Mae Rim: 50180
  8. Samoeng: 50250
  9. Fang: 50110
  10. Mae Ai: 50280
  11. Phrao: 50190
  12. San Pa Tong: 50120
  13. San Kamphaeng: 50130
  14. San Sai: 50210
  15. Hang Dong: 50230
  16. Hot: 50240
  17. Doi Tao: 50260
  18. Omkoi: 50310
  19. Saraphi: 50140
  20. Wiang Haeng: 50350
  21. Chai Prakan: 50320
  22. Mae Wang: 50360
  23. Mae On: 50130
  24. Doi Lo: 50160
  25. Galyani Vadhana: 50270[24]

Local government

As of 26 November 2019 there are:[25] one Chiang Mai Provincial Administration Organisation (Thai: ongkan borihan suan changwat) and 121 municipal (thesaban) areas in the province. Chiang Mai has city (thesaban nakhon) status. Mae Jo, Mae Hia, Mueang Kaen Phatthana and Ton Pao have town (thesaban mueang) status. Further 116 subdistrict municipalities (thesaban tambon). The non-municipal areas are administered by 89 Subdistrict Administrative Organisations - SAO (ongkan borihan suan tambon).

Human achievement index 2022

HealthEducationEmploymentIncome
65256650
HousingFamilyTransportParticipation
70426712
Province Chiang Mai, with an HAI 2022 value of 0.6179 is "low", occupies place 68in the ranking.

Since 2003, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Thailand has tracked progress on human development at sub-national level using the Human achievement index (HAI), a composite index covering all the eight key areas of human development. The National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) took over this task in 2017.

RankClassification
  1–13"High"
14–29"Somewhat high"
30–45"Average"
46–61"Somewhat low"
62–77"Low"

Transportation

Tourism

Chiang Mai province is the tourist hub of the north and one of Thailand's most important tourist destinations. It is considered one of the most scenic provinces in the country due to its mountain ranges, valleys, flora, and fauna. For example, the Hang Dong Canyon is coveted as a great tourist attraction. Furthermore, unlike most of Thailand, in some months, the climate in the north and Chiang Mai is cool, fresh, and misty.

Location protected areas

Overview protected areas of Chiang Mai 
 National park
  1 Doi Inthanon
  2 Doi Pha Hom Pok
  3 Doi Suthep-Pui
  4 Doi Wiang Pha
  5 Huai Nam Dang
  6 Khun Khan
  7 Mae Takhrai
  8 Mae Tho
  9 Mae Wang
     
  10 Namtok Bua Tong
  11 Op Khan
  12 Op Luang
  13 Pha Daeng
  14 Si Lanna
 Wildlife sanctuary
  15 Chiang Dao
  16 Mae Lao-Mae Sae
  17 Samoeng

Health

Each amphoe of Chiang Mai has its own hospital, but among the largest are located in Mueang Chiang Mai District and include Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital and Nakornping Hospital.

Local products

Chiang Mai is a handicrafts centre, with a variety of antiques, silver jewellery, and embroidery, Thai silks and cottons, basketry, celadon, silverware, furniture, lacquerware, woodcarvings, and parasols.[27]

Local culture

The north of Thailand's culture is Lanna in origin and the people are proud of their northern roots. The region is home to distinctive foods, music, arts, way of life, and even language. Chiang Mai is home to various hill tribes and their own distinctive cultures.

Local food

See also: Thai cuisine.

Sports

There are two main sport stadia in Chiang Mai and its environs: 700th Anniversary Stadium and Province Stadium. 700th Anniversary Stadium is on Klongchonpratan Road, 7km (04miles) from Chiang Mai University. There are swimming pools, diving pool, basketball arena, and 11 tennis courts.

Sister cities

The province is twinned with eight provinces/states.[28]

Notable inhabitants

External links

Notes and References

  1. 2 December 2022. รายนามผู้ว่าราชการจังหวัด. List of Governors of Provinces of Thailand. 8 January 2023. Ministry of Interior (Thailand).
  2. http://www.chiangmai.go.th/managing/public/D4/4D12Dec2023134018.pdf As of 2023 total area of Chiang Mai province is 22,311 sq.km
  3. Web site: Official statistics registration systems . Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) . 10 February 2025 ., year 2024, provincial level, Excel File, no.50.
  4. Gross Regional and Provincial Product, 2019 Edition. Gross Regional and Provincial Product . July 2019. 22 January 2020. Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC). en. 1686-0799.
  5. Web site: ข้อมูลสถิติดัชนีความก้าวหน้าของคน ปี 2565 (PDF) . Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC). thai . Human Achievement Index Databook year 2022 (PDF) . 12 March 2024 ., page 27.
  6. https://ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/documents/17135043.pdf ประกาศกระทรวงมหาดไทย เรื่อง การกำหนดเขตตำบลในท้องที่อำเภอสามเงา จังหวัดตาก (ฉบับที่ ๒) พ.ศ. ๒๕๖๓
  7. https://ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/documents/20667.pdf ประกาศกระทรวงมหาดไทย เรื่อง การกำหนดเขตตำบลในท้องที่อำเภอดอยเต่า จังหวัดเชียงใหม่ (ฉบับที่ ๒) พ.ศ. ๒๕๖๗
  8. Web site: Doi Inthanon National Park. Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT). 21 Mar 2015. https://archive.today/20150501001027/http://www.tourismthailand.org/See-and-Do/Sights-and-Attractions-Detail/Doi-Inthanon-National-Park--153. 1 May 2015. dead.
  9. Web site: Doi Suthep-Pui National Park. Department of National Parks (DNP) Thailand. 24 May 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150524154620/http://www.dnp.go.th/parkreserve/asp/style2/default.asp?npid=53&lg=2. 24 May 2015.
  10. Web site: Ob Luang National Park. Department of National Parks (DNP) Thailand. 24 May 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20131109183339/http://www.dnp.go.th/parkreserve/asp/style1/default.asp?npid=145&lg=2. 9 November 2013. dead.
  11. Web site: Si Lanna National Park. Department of National Parks (DNP) Thailand. 24 May 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150524173814/http://www.dnp.go.th/parkreserve/asp/style1/default.asp?npid=142&lg=2. 24 May 2015.
  12. Web site: Huai Nam Dang National Park. Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). 21 Mar 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402221108/http://www.tourismthailand.org/See-and-Do/Sights-and-Attractions-Detail/Huai-Nam-Dang-National-Park--174. 2 April 2015. dead.
  13. Web site: Mae Wang National Park . Department of National Parks (DNP) Thailand . 24 May 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150212165502/http://www.dnp.go.th/parkreserve/asp/style1/default.asp?npid=232&lg=2 . 12 February 2015 .
  14. Web site: Pha Daeng National Park. Department of National Parks (DNP) Thailand. 24 May 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150524154512/http://www.dnp.go.th/parkreserve/asp/style2/default.asp?npid=167&lg=2. 24 May 2015.
  15. Web site: Table 2 Forest area Separate province year 2019 . Royal Forest Department . 6 April 2021.
  16. Web site: ข้อมูลพื้นที่อุทยานแห่งชาติ ที่ประกาศในราชกิจจานุบกษา 133 แห่ง . December 2020 . Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation . th . National Park Area Information published in the 133 Government Gazettes . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20221103123527/https://catalog.dnp.go.th/dataset/areaofnp/resource/3b372140-f2bf-4811-8819-bb8a8b1a100a . 3 November 2022.
  17. Web site: ข้อมูลพื้นที่อุทยานแห่งชาติ (เตรียมการ) 22 แห่ง . Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation . th . Information of 22 National Parks Areas (Preparation) . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20221103125113/https://catalog.dnp.go.th/dataset/areaofnp/resource/4e6d4cb8-1ed1-4e1b-b5fe-8c992c728a40 . 3 November 2022.
  18. Web site: สถิตินักท่องเที่ยวที่เข้าไปอุทยนห่งชาติ ปีงบประมาณ พ.ศ. 2567 . th . Statistics of tourists visiting national parks in fiscal year 2024 . Department National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation . 6 September 2025.
  19. Web site: Daily Climate Weather Data Statistics . Geodata.us . 2012-04-29.
  20. Web site: Office of the Royal Society. สำนักงานราชบัณฑิตยสภา . Section เชียงใหม่. th.
  21. Web site: Chiang Mai. Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). 21 Mar 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150330210757/http://www.tourismthailand.org/Where-to-Go/Chiang-Mai. 30 March 2015. dead.
  22. Web site: A Brief History of Chiang Mai. Department of Mineral Resources, Thailand. 2025-05-17. PDF.
  23. Web site: About Chiang Mai. Saint Lanna College of Management. 2025-05-17.
  24. The code 25 was assigned to a planned district named Wiang Kham, which however wasn't created.
  25. Web site: Number of local government organizations by province . 26 November 2019 . dla.go.th . Department of Local Administration (DLA) . 10 December 2019 ., 13 Chiang Mai, 1 PAO, 1 City mun., 4 Town mun., 116 Subdistrict mun., 89 SAO..
  26. Web site: Chiang Mai International Airport. Airports of Thailand Public Co., Ltd. 24 May 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20161204062655/http://chiangmaiairportthai.com/en. 4 December 2016. dead.
  27. Web site: Shopping Chiang Mai. Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). 24 May 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150524154859/http://www.tourismthailand.org/Where-to-Go/Shopping/Search?view=101. 24 May 2015. dead.
  28. Web site: Archived copy . 2016-06-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150923202631/http://www.chiangmai.go.th/meet_file/sarupCM2556.pdf . 2015-09-23 . dead .
  29. Web site: MOU of the Establishment of Friendship between Province of Chiang Mai and Prefecture of Hokkaido. 2018-12-29 .
  30. Web site: ประยุทธ์เยือนพม่า-ขอสื่ออย่าระบุสัญชาติผู้ต้องหาเกาะเต่า.

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