lanna

Lanna, also written Lan Na, is a historical kingdom and cultural region in the northern part of present-day Thailand. The name Lanna, meaning "Land of a Million Rice Fields" in the Tai languages, refers to the fertile river valleys around the Ping and other streams. The core area centers on Chiang Mai, with neighboring historic centers such as Chiang Rai and Lamphun.

The Lanna kingdom was founded in 1292 by King Mengrai as a polity that united several smaller towns. Chiang Mai served as its capital. It extended over parts of present-day northern Thailand and maintained ties with Sukhothai and Ayutthaya. The kingdom developed distinctive art, architecture, and script, with Buddhist temples and a Theravada tradition shaping its culture.

In the 15th–18th centuries Lanna flourished culturally, developing the Northern Thai language and the Tai Tham script used in manuscripts and temple inscriptions. The region is known for its wooden temples, intricate stucco decorations, and lacquerware; festivals such as Loy Krathong and Yi Peng are associated with Lanna heritage.

In the late 18th century, Burmese forces conquered Chiang Mai, ending Lanna as an independent kingdom. It was incorporated into Siam (Thailand) and later reorganized administratively. Today the term Lanna refers to the cultural and historic region of Northern Thailand, with Chiang Mai as its center, continuing to influence arts, crafts, and tourism.