It was founded in 1259 by king Mengrai the Great, as the follow-up of the previous Chiengsen kingdom. He added the southern parts of the kingdom, which is now Lampang[?] and Lamphun[?], by driving back the Mon and Dvaravati rulers. In 1262 he founded the city Chiang Rai as his capital. He also founded the city of Chiang Mai in 1296, which became capital of the kingdom.
The location of the kingdom was between Burma and the other Thai kingdoms Sukhothai and later Ayutthaya, which were at war often. Thus Lannathai was often occupied or allienced with one of those two. In 1599 it finally became part of the Ayutthaya kingdom. The later kings were merely provincial rulers. In 1877 a Viceroy from Bangkok ruled together with the king, and finally since the death king Chao Keo Naovarat in 1939 only a governour ruled.
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