The Kingdom of Payao began with a revolt against the Chiang Rai rulingship in the northern Thailand.

Legend and History

Payao legend began with one lord titled Lord Sri Jomtham, son of Lord LaoHgern ruler of the Hiran Ngoenyang Kingdom. During the late reigning period of LaoHgern, he have divided his power to 2 sons, Lord Sri Jomtham and his brother Lord Shin. Lord Shin became the new ruler of Hiran Ngoenyang while Sri Jomtham gathered an army and citizens to build a new territory. At the age of 25 Sri Jomtham brought his troops down to Chiang Man area. In the myth, Sri Jomtham have founded found a deserted town on the end of the Mountain Range. Sri Jomtham took a risk to build his city, the construction ended on 1094. He named his Kingdom PukamYao. Sri Jomtham's dynasty ruled Pukamyao over 9 generations until the last Pukamyao King gave the throne to his son-in-law, Phraya NgumMueng. Ngum Mueng led his Kingdom to it greatest period and renamed it to Kingdom of Payao.