Assistant Prof.Charnnarong Srisuwan

Brief overview: The Wiang Kum Kam

The Wiang Kum Kam was an ancient city of Lanna Kingdom. The archeological site now is located on the south part of Chiang Mai which is approximately about 5 Km. from downtown. According to the research and chronicle, assuming the city was founded in 1294 A.D. by King Mang Rai, the first king of Lanna Kingdom.

The city was build and had been the capital of the Lanna Kingdom only 2 years because there was a flood problem in this area. The King Mang Rai decided to build the new city at the north of Wiang Kum Kam and named itself was “Chiang Mai” since that time to the present day. Wiang Kum Kam was still parallel flourished with Chiang Mai until the Kingdom was fell down and was conquered by Mynmar around 1158 A.D.

Wiang Kum Kam located beside the Ping River. The free form of city shape was build at the first time, surrounded by city wall and moat that assuming was an influence concept design from Hariphunchai kindom (Lamphun at present day). Wiang Kum Kam was very importance city with parallel flourished of Chiang Mai. Economy, Buddhism and arts were bloomed at that period. The evidence of arts and architectures has still seen now. There were about 27 monuments (22 Dead monuments and 5 living monuments) in this area. Most of them are Buddhism temples. Other kind buildings have not clear in evidences.

The excavation works was started in the yeas 1984 A.D. by Thai government. The fine arts department was the organization who has responsibility both of archaeology works and conservation. Because of budget problem, the most of conservation works have done in very short time and limitation of knowledge and researching data. Error of construction, correctness of architectural assumption and abandon of building were found, Result in dilapidation of cultural heritage. Now, there are many building have damage from weakness of maintenance and organization. The wrong of tourism management and promoting is the one that push many fast project in Wiang Kum Kam, reason of damage of monuments and error data.