Chiang Saen

Originally called Wiang Hiran Nakhon Ngoen Yang, it served as the main town before King Mengrai established Chiang Rai as the capital in 1262 CE. Traces of old double city walls and many other antiquities still remain both within and outside the district town.

Chiang Saen is a district in the northern part of Chiang Rai Province, northern Thailand. Chiang Saen serves as an important hub for Thailand's trade with other countries along the upper Mekong River.

According to an ancient chronicle, the original city of Chiang Saen (Chiang: 'offshoot', saen: '100,000') was established in 545 CE in an area called Yonok by Tai migrants from the Chinese province of Yunnan, and was a significant city (Southeast Asia Mandala-model mueang) of the Lanna ('million paddies') Kingdom. No reliable written history of the city exists until the arrival of King Mengrai in the 13th century. His grandson, Saen Phu, ruler of the Lanna Kingdom, founded Chiang Saen in 1325 or 1328 CE.

The city was sacked by Chao Kawila of Chiangmai during the reign of Rama I because it had served as the Burmese base of operations in previous years. The city was deserted, with its inhabitants relocating to other Bangkok-allied Lanna cities such as Lampang and Chiang Mai. Several ancient ruins can be found in the old towns. For instance, Wat Pa Sak contains a well-preserved Lanna-style Phra That. [Source: Wikipedia]

Ayutthaya Historical Research