In the same way that King Mengrai is revered as the founder of the Lanna Kingdom and its capital Chiang Mai, King Ngam Muang is Phayao’s local hero, praised for maintaining the independence of this region despite King Mengrai’s expansionist tendencies.
King Ngam Muang ascended to the throne in 1258, and 18 years later, when Mengrai approached the city with heavily armed troops, King Ngam Muang was able to seal a pact of friendship by which they promised to support each other against any outside invaders.
When King Mengrai established Chiang Mai as the capital of Lanna, this pact was expanded to include King Ramkhamhaeng of Sukhothai, and their allegiance is immortalized in the Three Kings Statue in the heart of Chiang Mai’s old city.
The monument to King Ngam Muang in Phayao is located in a public park beside Kwan Phayao, and at any time you can find locals arriving here with offerings to the great king.
Getting There
You can walk to the park and monument from anywhere in the town center.
Need to Know
- What is it? A monument to Phayao’s greatest hero.
- Opening hours: 24 hours
- Entrance fee: Free
- Address: Chaykwan Road
- Where: At the northwest end of Phayao’s lakeside road.