Silversmiths have long been valued and held in high esteem by Southeast Asian royal courts from Burma to Java; and in times past the Lan Na Kingdom was no exception. For example; according to the Burmese chronicle of Chiang Mai; the Zinme Yazawin; soon after King Mangrai established his 鈥楴ew City' of Chiang Mai in 1296; he sought to establish good neighbourly relations with the Burmese (or possibly Shan) King of Pagan; requesting that the latter send teachers learned in Buddhism; as well as 鈥榓rtisans and coppersmiths who can cast gongs and bells'.

King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai (meaning 'new city') in 1296; and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lanna kingdom. Chiang Mai sometimes written as 'Chiengmai' or 'Chiangmai'; is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand.