From a Yahoo online travel guide: "The city of Chiang Mai, officially called Nopaburi Srinakornping Chiang Mai, was constructed and established as the capital city of the Lanna Thai Kingdom in 1296 by King Mangrai the Great in consultation with his two close friends, King Ramkamhaeng of Sukhothai and King Ngammuang of Phayao. Depicting the three kings in a friendly stance, this is one of Chiang Mai's most important monuments. Celebrations often take place in the square beside the monument in the center of the old city."
