Chao Mang Rai fa pha tai ti kad Chiang Mai klang wiang (Chao Mang Rai was struck by lightning at the Klang Wiang Chiang Mai Market). The phrase shows in significance of the intersection since the time of Phya Mangrai (1926-1317). The area here was the initiating point of Chiang Mai City development from an empty piece of land to a large town. Its being the center of the past, many important structures were built around the area. Some of them remain until today though some others remain only by word of mouth, such as Wat Inthakin, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Pan Tao and Wat Duang Di. The Ho Kham Phya Mang Rai or King Mang Rais palace, built at the same time as Wat Chiang Man has been transformed to be used as Klang Wiang Prison, now the Chiang Mai Woman Correctional Institution.
When Chiang Mai was under the rule of Burma and Bangkok, the area around this intersection was the site of the nobles dwellings, government centers and educational institutes such as the palace of the rulers of Chiang Mai which became the inheritance of their families until the change of the administrative system to the Thesaphiban system in the time of Chao Dara Rasami. She designated this dwelling to be used as the Payap Precinct Office. When Chiang Mai was established as a province, the place became the Chiang Mai City Hall. Later on, in 1996 Chiang Mais City Hall and offices were moved to the new Government Center on Chotana Road. In 1997 the Chiang Mai Municipal Office renovated the building to be used as the Chiang Mai City Arts and Culture Center as it is today.
Besides the palaces, other royal dwellings are found in the area such as the dwelling of Chao Burirat (Chao Kaeo Mung Mueang) presently the Thailand Tobacco Monopoly office, Chiang Mai. The Dwelling of Chao Rachawong is now part of the Khum Kaew Palace, Vista Hotel Chiang Mai, and the dwelling of Chao Buriratana (Maha-in) is now under the auspices kept by the Faculty of Architecture, Chiang Mai University. Opposite the Lanna Culture Center is the former Chiang Mai Provincial Court, the former residence of Chao Lao Kaew. Near the court is Yupparaj Wittayalai School, a former school of the Payap Region. Chao Inthawarorot Suriyawong, the eighth ruler of Chiang Mai (1901-1909) donated the area which used to be his playhouse to establish the school. In 1921, his son, Chao Rachawong (Chao Lao Kaew) also gave part of his residence to the school to expand it out.
Today, the area around the intersection is a popular attraction with the Three Kings Monument as the center. Many local houses have been transformed into shops and restaurants in which every Sunday, from late afternoon to late at night the well known flee market of arts and craft or the Chiang Mai Walking Street is opened for people to sell their creative products and food. It is one place that all visitors to Chiang Mai should not miss.
References
Chao Wongsak Na Chiang Mai, and the Na Chiang Mai descendants. (1996). Chao Luang Chiang Mai (Chiang Mai rulers). (in Thai).
Bangkok: Amarin Printing & Publishing.
Sanguan Chotsukrat. (1973). Tamnan phuen mueang Chiang Mai (Chiang Mai folk legends). (in Thai). Pranakhon : Historical
Publication Committee, Office of the Prime Minister.
Chiang Mai University Library
Chiang Mai
ntic@lib.cmu.ac.th
Chiang Mai University. Information Technology Service Center
Chiang Mai
itsc@itsc.cmu.ac.th
Chiang Mai University, Funder
Usanee Thongchai, Advisor and project expert
1968
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