Wat Sang Ka; also known as Wat Sang Ka Ram; is thought to have been founded in the 14th or 15th century CE. It was excavated and restored by the Fine Arts Department in 1983-85. Artefacts found during the excavation include ceramics from kilns at San Kamphaeng; Vien Ka Long and Sri Satchanalai. A bronze Chiang Saen Buddha image and Haripunchai Buddha tablets were also unearthed; together with fragments of other Buddha images in both Lan Na and Sukhothai styles.

Chiang Mai; sometimes written as 'Chiengmai' or 'Chiangmai'; is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand; and is the capital of Chiang Mai Province. It is located 700 km (435 mi) north of Bangkok; among the highest mountains in the country. The city is on the Ping river; a major tributary of the Chao Phraya river.

King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai (meaning 'new city') in 1296; and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lanna kingdom. The ruler was known as the Chao. The city was surrounded by a moat and a defensive wall; since nearby Burma was a constant threat.

Chiang Mai formally became part of Siam in 1774 by an agreement with Chao Kavila; after the Thai King Taksin helped drive out the Burmese. Chiang Mai then slowly grew in cultural; trading and economic importance to its current status as the unofficial capital of northern Thailand; second in importance only to Bangkok.