Rating: 4.3/5 (6 votes)

Open Days: Every day

Opening Hours: 08:00–18:00 (approximately, following the hours of the health park and public space)

 

King of Fang Monument is located in the health park in front of Wat Phra Bat Udom, in Phra Nang Sam Phiw Community, Moo 3, Wiang Subdistrict, Fang District, Chiang Mai Province. It is a spiritual landmark for local residents and a place of remembrance for the heroic deeds of King of Fang and Phra Nang Sam Phiw, who sacrificed their lives to protect the people of Fang in times of war. Although the monument is not large in size, it carries a deep historical narrative and legend that link Fang, the Kok River basin, and the Lanna–Burma border in a way that is well worth studying.

 

In the past, Fang was an important town in the northern part of the Lanna Kingdom and, for a period of time, was a vassal state under Burmese rule. The King of Fang ruled the city together with his consort, “Phra Nang Sam Phiw”, a princess from Lan Chang (Vientiane), famed for the radiance of her skin. Legend says that her complexion changed three tones within a single day: in the morning, her skin was white and soft like cotton; in the afternoon, it turned a rosy red like a ripe ivy gourd; and by evening, it became a gentle pink like the lotus flower. Her beauty and noble birth meant that Phra Nang Sam Phiw was loved and respected by the people no less than the King of Fang himself.

 

Though Fang was under Burmese authority, the people’s hearts longed for freedom. The King of Fang therefore resolved to restore independence to his land. He secretly gathered men, weapons, and supplies, and eventually decided to stop paying tribute and refuse Burmese commands. When the Burmese king in Ava, “King Bhavasudhamma Raja”, heard of Fang’s defiance, he led a large army to suppress the rebellion in 1633 CE (B.E. 2176), intending to make Fang an example of what would happen to any town that dared challenge the central power.

 

The Burmese army set up camp on a hill to the north of Fang and laid siege tightly around the city. They used tactics such as launching volleys of flaming arrows and firing cannons continuously into the town. Explosions and blazing fires terrified the residents; homes were destroyed, and many soldiers and civilians were killed. Although the King of Fang personally led his troops to defend the town with all his might, the limited manpower and resources made resistance increasingly difficult.

 

As the battle dragged on, Fang began to suffer from food shortages. Inside the city walls there was fear, hunger, and exhaustion. The King of Fang and Phra Nang Sam Phiw were fully aware that the roots of this suffering lay in their attempt to reclaim freedom. The longer the war continued, the more their people would be harmed and the heavier the losses would be. In the end, the royal couple made a resolute decision to sacrifice their own lives so that the fighting would cease and the townspeople could be spared from death and starvation.

 

According to legend, the King of Fang and Phra Nang Sam Phiw went together to “Bo Nam Sao Wa”, a well located near Fang at the time, and leapt into it, taking their own lives. They believed that by dedicating their lives, they would give new life to the people of Fang. When King Bhavasudhamma Raja learned of this great act of sacrifice, he was moved by their compassion and sense of responsibility toward their subjects. He then commanded his army to stop harming the townspeople and ordered a retreat back to Ava without seizing Fang. Because of this event, Fang was spared from being razed to the ground, even though the king and his consort had to lay down their lives.

 

Hundreds of years have passed, yet the story of the courage and sacrifice of the King of Fang and Phra Nang Sam Phiw continues to be told throughout the Fang River basin. Locals in this area eventually joined forces to build the King of Fang Monument in the health park in front of Wat Phra Bat Udom, in the community now known as “Phra Nang Sam Phiw Community”. The monument serves as tangible evidence of the legend and a place where later generations can come to pay respect and remember the royal benevolence of the two.

 

The monument features a dark-colored cast statue of the King of Fang set on a raised base, surrounded by paved grounds and public areas of the health park. The space is shaded with trees, with walking paths and benches for resting. Locals often come to pay respect with garlands, flowers, and incense, and the open plaza in front of the monument is used for merit-making ceremonies, commemorative rituals, and various community events throughout the year. This makes the area not only a historical check-in point but also a living communal space that reflects the daily life of Wiang Fang people today.

 

Visitors can begin by paying respect at the monument, then read the historical panels and stories displayed around the area before strolling through the health park. From here, you can look back over the surrounding landscape and imagine the old town of Fang, which was once an important battlefield between the Burmese army and the forces of the King of Fang. If time allows, it is worth talking with local residents or community leaders who come to exercise or join activities in the park. Many of them can recount the tale of the King of Fang and Phra Nang Sam Phiw in great detail, providing a valuable form of community-based learning no less meaningful than reading a history book.

 

The area around the monument is also linked to other important sites in Fang District, such as nearby Wat Phra Bat Udom, the old Wiang Fang town area, the route to Fang Hot Springs, and the road up to Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park. Visitors can easily plan a short trip that combines “historical sightseeing, hot spring bathing, and nature appreciation” within one or two days. It is suitable both for those interested in local history and for those who simply want to relax in the cool air along the northern mountain ranges before continuing on to Doi Ang Khang or the Thai–Myanmar border.

 

Getting There From Chiang Mai city, take Highway 107 (Chiang Mai–Fang–Tha Ton), passing through Mae Rim, Mae Taeng, and Chiang Dao until you reach Fang District. The total distance is around 150–160 kilometers and the journey takes about 2.5–3 hours. Once in Wiang Subdistrict Municipality, continue into Fang town and follow signs for Wat Phra Bat Udom and the Phra Nang Sam Phiw Community Health Park. The health park and monument are located in front of the temple. Parking is available in the temple grounds or in nearby public areas by the park. The most convenient way to travel is by private car or rental car. If using public transport from Chiang Mai, take a bus to Fang Bus Terminal, then continue by local songthaew (shared pickup truck) or motorcycle taxi to Wat Phra Bat Udom, which is not far away.

 

 

A: The King of Fang Monument is situated in Phra Nang Sam Phiw Community Health Park, in front of Wat Phra Bat Udom, Moo 3, Wiang Subdistrict, Fang District, Chiang Mai Province. It is not far from Fang town market and is easily reached from Highway 107 by following signs to Wat Phra Bat Udom.

 

A: The main activity is paying respect and making offerings to the King of Fang and remembering Phra Nang Sam Phiw and their heroic deeds. Visitors can also stroll around the health park, do light exercise, relax under the shade of trees, or use the monument as a starting point for exploring other attractions in Fang, such as Fang Hot Springs or nearby agro-tourism sites.

 

A: You can visit throughout the year, but early mornings and late afternoons are most pleasant, with cooler temperatures and softer sunlight, ideal for walking and paying respect. During merit-making festivals or commemorative events organized by the community, the atmosphere becomes livelier, which is perfect for those interested in observing local lifestyles and traditions.

 

A: Yes. You can take a bus from Chiang Mai to Fang Bus Terminal, then continue by local songthaew or motorcycle taxi. Tell the driver that you wish to go to “the health park in front of Wat Phra Bat Udom” or “the King of Fang Monument”; most local drivers will be familiar with the place.

 

A: Visitors should dress modestly, avoiding tight or overly short clothing, as the monument is near a temple and serves as a site for community rituals. Please refrain from making loud noise, move on and off the monument plaza with respect, and place flowers and incense only in designated areas. If visiting as a group, it is advisable to consult local leaders or temple representatives before organizing any formal activities.