- The Thailand Government defines North Thailand as consisting of both [
1 ] the 84,000 square kilometre comprising 8 provinces of Chiang Mai,
Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Lampang, Lamphun, Phrae and Mae Hong Son,
which area originally comprised the Lan Na principalities detailed in
the North Thailand History link [ the Upper North ], and [ 2 ] the 86,000 square
kilometres of the Lower North, comprising the provinces of Kamphaeng
Phet, Tak, Sukhothai, Uttaradit, Uthai Thani, Nakhon Sawan, Phichit
Phitsanulok and Phetchabun, which area originally comprised the
Kingdoms of Sukhothai and later the northern parts of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya,
Thon Buri and Bangkok Empires.
- The discernable differences between the Upper and Lower North Thailand is explained in the Northern Thailand section.
- Chiang Rai is both the name of Chiang Rai Province and its capital city,
Chiang Rai City. Chiang Rai City is the principal point of arrival for
tourists to the region. The Lan Na principalities are also the home of
the Khong Muang [ Tai Yuan ] people as discussed in the North Thailand people links.
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