Far East Kingdoms

Lan Na / Lanna Kingdom (Thais)
AD 1259 - 1774

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Shortly after the creation of the Thai kingdom of Sukhothai in the south of the country, the founder of the Lan Na or Lanna kingdom created a new capital for his realm in Chiang Mai, located along what is now Thailand's River Ping. Chiang Mai in this period was chosen as the navel of the eight world synod of Theravada Buddhism.

(Information by Peter Kessler & John De Cleene, with additional information from the John De Cleene Archive, from A History of Thailand, Chris Baker & Pasuk Phongpaichit (2005), from Southeast Asia: A Historical Encyclopaedia, from Angkor Wat to East Timor, Keat Gin Ooi (ABC-Clio, 2004), from Early Mainland Southeast Asia, C Higham (River Books Co, 2014), from Encyclopaedia of Ancient Asian Civilizations, Charles F W Higham (Facts on File, 2004), from Historical Atlas of the World, R R Palmer (Ed, Chicago, 1963), and from External Links: Ancient Chinese farmers sowed literal seeds of change in south-east Asia (Science News), and The Indianized States of Southeast Asia, George Coedès (Walter F Vella (Ed), Susan Brown Cowing (Trans), University of Hawaii Press, 1968, and available online via the Internet Archive).)

1259 - 1317

Founded kingdom as Sukhothai's rival.

1317 - 1318

1318 - 1319

1319 - 1322

1322 - 1324

1324 - 1328

Restored?

1328 - 1337

1337 - 1355

after 1353

Fa Ngoun, king of Lan Xang, defeats King Sam Phaya (Pha Yu) of Lan Na, after which he conquers the Akha. The Laotian and other local princes submit to him.

1355 - 1385

1369 - 1375

The kingdom controls the Khmer empire.

1385 - 1401

An interregnum follows.

? - 1389

The Khmer again fall under the control of Lan Na.

1401 - 1441

1431

Lan Na defeats the Khmer, forcing them to abandon their great capital for a safer location.

1401 - 1441

1441 - 1487

1479 - 1484

The ruler of Dai Viet feels it is time to curb the power of Lan Xang. He marches a large force into its territory, capturing the capital and killing its king, Chakkaphat. It takes until 1482 before Lan Xang's remaining army can join forces with the army of Lan Na to its west and inflict a decisive defeat upon the Viet army. The Viet withdraw in full by 1484.

1487

After the death of Tilokoraj, the kingdom suffers from internal conflicts. Lan Na is weakened by wars with Sukhothai's successors.

1487 - 1495

1495 - 1526

1526 - 1538

1538 - 1543

1543 - 1545

Restored?

1545 - 1546

1546 - 1551

1551

1551 - 1564

1558

The Burmese conquer the capital of Chiang Mai.

1564 - 1578

Ruled under Burmese control.

1578 - 1607

Burmese prince.

1594

Lan Na captures the Khmer capital at Phnom Penh.

1607 - 1613

Probably two sons of Tharawaddy.

1613

Burmese control is thrown out.

1613 - 1615

1615 - 1631

1631 - 1659

1659 - 1672

1672

The Burmese regain control of the kingdom.

1672 - 1675

Burmese ruler.

1675 - 1707

Burmese ruler.

1707 - 1727

Burmese ruler.

1727

A Thai rebel leader gains control of the state.

1727

Rebel.

1727 - 1759

1759 - 1761

1761 - 1763

1763

The Burmese conquer Chiang Mai.

1763 - 1771

Burmese ruler.

1768 - 1774

Burmese ruler.

1771 - 1774

The Thai people revolt against Burmese rule.

1774 & 1776

The Thai kingdom of Krong Thonburi conquers Lan Na.