The Northern Region of Thailand is covered by 17 provinces. Chiang Mai is the centre of tourism for the region, it is also Thailand's second city. Much of the regions territory is mountainous, making it relatively cool compared to central Thailand.

Doi Inthanon National Park is located 60 kilometers south of Chiang Mai, and is the home of Thailand's tallest mountain. Doi Inthanon Mountain is 2,565 meters above sea level. Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son provinces are home to many Hill Tribe villages.

The history of Northern Thailand is dominated by the Lanna kingdom, which was founded in 1259 and remained an independent force until the 16th century. Their version of the lunisolar Buddhist calendar ran two months ahead of what is now the modern Thai lunar calendar.

This is reflected in their version of the Loy Krathong festival, which occurs in Thailand's Lunar Month 12, but in the former lands of Lanna, it is the Lantern Festival of Yee Peng, Lunar Month 2.