Three Kings Monument

The Three Kings Monument is a public statue group in the centre of Chiang Mai that commemorates three historic kings associated with the founding and development of the ancient Lanna kingdom. It is a prominent civic landmark and meeting place.

A bronze or cast statue grouping stands on a raised plinth in a small plaza, surrounded by low walls and often used as a focal point for ceremonies and public gatherings. Plaques and explanatory signs provide context about the figures represented.

Erected by local authorities to honour the historic rulers who played key roles in the region’s early history, the monument has since been a site for civic ceremonies, commemorations and tourist visits.

Positioned in central Chiang Mai, the monument sits at a key junction within the city and is within walking distance of historic temples, the old city moat and cultural institutions.

• Founding monarchs: The monument commemorates the three kings traditionally credited with founding or unifying the Lanna kingdom of northern Thailand.

This iconic monument stands right at the heart of Chiang Mai’s old walled city and harks back to the earliest beginnings, in the 13th century, of King Mengrai’s ‘new city’ of Nopburi Srinakornping Chiang Mai. Sculpted in bronze, it depicts Mengrai the Great, first ruler of the Lanna kingdom, flanked by King Ramkhamhaeng of Sukhothai and King Ngam Muang of Phayao.

Mengrai and Ngam Muang met when Mengrai attempted an invasion of Ngam Muang’s domains; instead, they became friends. The royal trio was completed when Mengrai was called upon to settle a dispute between Ngam Muang and Ramkhamhaeng after the latter seduced the former’s wife. The three kings swore eternal friendship and went on to lay plans to unite the whole of the north, beginning with Mon Haripunjaya and extending as far as Mae Hong Son. For the first time in history, the northern races of the Tai, Yuan and Mon were united under one banner.

The monument is set in the city’s most important square, in front of the Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Centre. The site was home to the first royal palaces of the fledgling Lanna kingdom and remained the administrative centre of the region until 1997, when a new City Hall was built outside the old walls. The square is often used for cultural events and concerts, so it is worth checking whether anything is happening during your visit; it gets very busy on a Sunday with the overspill from the nearby Walking Street on Ratchadamnoen Road.

The Three Kings Monument (Anusawari Sam Kasat) sits in the centre of Chiang Mai’s old city and is within easy walking distance of the main tourist areas (Night Bazaar, old city walls). It is commonly reached by red songthaews (shared pickup taxis) or private tuk‑tuk; from Chiang Mai Railway Station it’s roughly a 10-15 minute walk or a short songthaew/tuk‑tuk ride.

From Chiang Mai International Airport it’s about a 10-15 minute taxi ride (around 6 km); within the city the monument is well signposted and often included on walking routes around the old city.

• Visit at dawn or late afternoon for cooler temperatures and softer light - those times also coincide with locals making offerings, which gives a more authentic atmosphere for photos.
• Plan the monument as part of a short loop through Chiang Mai's old city: it's centrally located and easy to combine with the city arts and cultural sites and nearby markets.
• If you're in town on Sunday, be aware the nearby Ratchadamnoen market draws large crowds; passing the monument before the evening market starts makes getting good photos and moving around much easier.