Visual Index of Phayao Sites (Site name and description)
	Wat Nantaram (rebuilt 1925-43 onward) A Shan-style wat constructed entirely of teak.		Wat Phra That King Kaeng (indefinite age) A wat far to the northeast of Phayao with a prominent chedi.
	Wat Si Kom Kham (indefinite age) The principal wat of Phayao city.		Wat Tha Fa Tai (1769 onward) A fine Tai Lue style village wat.

About Phayao

Phayao's history reaches back to the founding days of the Lanna Kingdom. Although reputedly established in 1096 by Phor Khun Chom Dham on the site of older towns, it became strategically important in the late 13th century when its ruler, Ngam Muang, established a pact of friendship in 1287 with Ram Kamhaeng of Sukhothai and Mangrai of Chiang Mai. However, the friendship disintegrated fairly rapidly and by 1338 the great-grandson of Mangrai, King Kham Fu, attacked and plundered the city.

In 1439 the city was besieged by Sukhothai troops, but they were repulsed using cannon cast from bronze plates covering a chedi. In later centuries, the area came under the control of the Burmese, who depopulated the region to such an extent that the town was temporarily abandoned.

In the modern era, Phayao was officially a part of Chiang Rai province until 1977, when Phayao was established as a separate province. The area remains sparsely populated, with the population of Phayao city at about 20,000 residents.