King Mangrai (1239-1311) was the 25th King of Ngoen Yang (r.1261-1296) and the first King of
Chiang Mai (r.1296-1311), capital of the
Lanna Kingdom (1296-1558).
Early years
The King Mengrai monument in Chiang Rai
Mangrai was born in Ngoen Yang (present day
Chiang Saen) as the son of the local ruler Lao Meng and his wife Ua Ming Chommueang, a princess from the
Tai Lue city of
Chiang Rung, now in
Yunnan,
China. In 1261 Mangrai succeeded his father to become the first independent king of unified
Tai city states in northern Lanna and northern
Laos. The kingdom quickly expanded towards the south by both alliances and through the conquest of neighbours. In 1262 he founded the city of
Chiang Rai as his new capital in the
Kok River basin. In 1287 Mangrai made a peace pact with King
Ramkhamhaeng of
Sukhothai and King Ngammueang of
Phayao to defend their lands against the
Mongol Empire. In 1292 he defeated the
Mon kingdom of
Hariphunchai (present day
Lamphun), adding the city to his kingdom. Yiba, the last king of Hariphunchai, was forced to flee to
Lampang.
Chiang Mai Era
In 1296 Mangrai moved his capital again by founding
Chiang Mai on the western bank of the
Ping River. A few years later, Yiba's son, King Boek of Lampang, attacked Chiang Mai with a large army. However, King Mangrai and his second son, Prince Khram, fought back against the Lampang army. In a personal combat on elephant back between Prince Khram and King Boek at Khua Mung, a village near Lamphun. King Boek lost and ordered the withdrawal of his remaining men. As King Boek fled by way of the Doi Khun Tan mountain range between Lamphun and Lampang, he was caught and executed. When King Mangrai's troops occupied the city of Lampang, King Yiba was made to flee again, this time to Phitsanulok.
Death and succession
King Mangrai died in 1311 at Chiang Mai. During a thunderstorm he was hit by
lightning in the city's market. He was succeeded by Prince Khram who took the name of King Chaisongkhram upon his ascension to the throne of the Lanna kingdom.
Category:1239 birthsCategory:1317 deathsCategory:Thai monarchsCategory:Tai historyCategory:Deaths by lightningde:Mengraies:Mengraifr:Mengraiid:Mangrai yang Agungja:マンラーイru:Менграй Великийth:พ่อขุนเม็งรายมหาราช
