Northern Thailand, one of the 5 regional groups of Thailand, usually describes the area covered by 17 provinces.

Chiang Mai Chiang Rai Kamphaeng Phet Lampang Lamphun Mae Hong Son Nakhon Sawan Nan Phayao Phetchabun Phichit Phitsanulok Phrae Sukhothai Tak Uthai Thani Uttaradit

Numbers of the principal highways in this region begin with the digit 1.

Much of the area's territory is mountainous, making it relatively cool compared to Central Thailand.

The history of Northern Thailand is dominated by the Lanna kingdom, which was founded in 1259 and remained an independent force until the 16th century. Their version of the lunisolar Buddhist calendar ran two months ahead of what is now the modern Thai lunar calendar; this is reflected in their version of Thailand's Loy Krathong festival, which occurs in Thailand's Lunar Month 12, but in the former lands of Lanna is the Lantern Festival of Yee Peng, Lunar Month 2.

In 2000, Northern Thailand banned caffeine to thwart methamphetamine production [1].

[edit] External links

• North (Thailand) travel guide from Wikitravel

Coordinates: 19°N 99°E / 19°N 99°E / 19; 99

This Thailand location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e