ไทย

Home › Campaign routes › The capture of Chiang Mai: Lanna freed from Burmese rule

The capture of Chiang Mai: Lanna freed from Burmese rule

Early in 1774 the Thonburi army marched north against Chiang Mai, with Phraya Chaban of Chiang Mai and Phraya Kawila of Lampang coming over to the Siamese side. The Burmese force governing Chiang Mai withdrew, and Lanna was freed from Burmese rule that had lasted more than 200 years. The Thonburi army had attacked Chiang Mai once before without success.

Chiang Mai ≈Thonburi ≈Tak ≈Lampang ≈Lamphun ≈AyutthayaChonburiKanchanaburiSukhothaiPhitsanulokNakhon RatchasimaNakhon PathomRatchaburiNakhon NayokPrachin BuriChachoengsaoSaraburiNakhon SawanUttaraditSuphan BuriAng ThongKamphaeng PhetMyanmarThailand12345
  • 1Stops, numbered as in the list below
  • 2Clash with the Burmese
  • 1–3Several stops close together: tap to zoom in
  • ≈ approximate position

Press + to zoom in, then drag to move the map; on a phone you can pinch. Tap a number to read about that stop.

The ≈ sign marks an approximate location. Borders on the map are modern and shown for orientation only. Campaign routes are approximate lines drawn from the chronicles and modern studies, not the exact path taken. Dashed lines are enemy armies.

Lanna changes sides

Lanna had been under Burmese rule since the time of King Bayinnaung. The Burmese officials governing Chiang Mai in the decade after 1767 were so oppressive that local leaders turned against them, and Phraya Chaban and Phraya Kawila asked Thonburi for troops. The Thonburi army, with Chaophraya Chakri and Chaophraya Surasi as its mainstay, marched north and took Chiang Mai early in 1774.

The loss of Chiang Mai led Burma to send large armies for revenge the following year, both by way of Ratchaburi, at Bang Kaeo, and against the northern towns in Maha Thiha Thura's invasion.

The route in 5 stops

  1. 1

    Thonburi

    Bangkok≈ approximate position13.740, 100.490

    Places to visit nearby

    Where to eat nearby

    Directions ↗

  2. 2

    Tak

    Tak≈ approximate position16.880, 99.130

    Places to visit nearby

    Where to eat nearby

    Directions ↗

  3. 3

    Lampang

    Lampang≈ approximate position18.290, 99.490

    Places to visit nearby

    Where to eat nearby

    Directions ↗

  4. 4

    Lamphun

    Lamphun≈ approximate position18.580, 99.010

    Places to visit nearby

    Where to eat nearby

    Directions ↗

  5. 5

    Chiang Mai

    Chiang Mai≈ approximate position18.790, 98.980

    Clash with the Burmese army
    Battle
    Chiang Mai
    Against
    The Burmese force governing Chiang Mai
    How
    Phraya Chaban of Chiang Mai and Phraya Kawila of Lampang came over to the Siamese side. The Thonburi army attacked until the Burmese withdrew from the city.
    Outcome
    Chiang Mai was taken and Lanna was freed from Burmese rule.
    Note
    Approximate position.
    The brick wall and the square in front of Tha Phae Gate, Chiang Mai
    Tha Phae Gate, the eastern gate of Chiang Mai's old city · Photo: Takeaway · CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

    Where to eat nearby

    Directions ↗

Travel guides for the provinces on this route

Things to do and where to eat in each province, from songkran.com, our sister travel site

Frequently asked questions

Who helped Siam take Chiang Mai?

Phraya Chaban of Chiang Mai and Phraya Kawila of Lampang, who came over to the Thonburi side.

Sources
  1. Taksin - Wikipedia
  2. Three warriors from Tak: King Taksin's trusted officers – Silpa Wattanatham (in Thai)

Last updated 13 November 2026