When was Chiang Mai founded and by whom?
Chiang Mai was founded in 1294 or 1296 by King Mangrai, who chose the site to serve as the new capital of the Lan Na kingdom, replacing Chiang Rai. The city's name translates as "new city" in Thai.
Questions about Chiang Mai
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What is the population of Chiang Mai?
The official city municipality of Chiang Mai had a population of approximately 127,000 as of 2023, but the broader urban area holds around 1,198,000 residents. The provincial population was projected at 1.8 million in 2023, and estimates including non-permanent residents suggest the real figure could reach 1.5 million.
Why is Chiang Mai known for air pollution?
Chiang Mai experiences severe air pollution between December and April each year, caused by forest fire smoke trapped in the highland basin by low-pressure systems from China. PM10 levels peaked at 383 micrograms per cubic metre on the 14th of March 2007, more than three times Thailand's safety standard of 120 micrograms per cubic metre.
What is the most famous temple in Chiang Mai?
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is Chiang Mai's most famous temple, standing on Doi Suthep mountain at an elevation of 1,073 metres. Its stupa appears at the centre of the city's official emblem.
How many tourists visit Chiang Mai each year?
In 2013, Thailand's Tourist Authority recorded 14.1 million visitors to Chiang Mai, including 4.6 million foreign visitors and 9.5 million Thai tourists. Tourism had been growing at approximately 15 percent annually since 2011.
What is the Chiang Mai Initiative?
The Chiang Mai Initiative was an agreement concluded in May 2006 in Chiang Mai between ASEAN and the "ASEAN+3" countries: China, Japan, and South Korea. It was a significant multilateral financial cooperation framework negotiated at the summit held in the city.