Tha Phae (ท่าแพ)

Thai. ‘Raft Landing’. Name of an ancient city gate located on the eastern wall of Chiang Mai and which dates back to 1296 AD when the city was founded by King Mengrai (fig.). Initially, it was named Chiang Reuak Gate, after the nearby village of Chiang Reuak (เชียงเรือก), while Tha Phae was the name given to another gate in the outer, earthen rampart of the city, near Wat Saen Fang (วัดแสนฝาง) in the vicinity of the Ping River. Over time the gate in the outer defensive wall became known as Outer Tha Phae Gate (ประตูท่าแพชั้นนอก), while the Chaing Reuak Gate in the city wall was referred to as the Inner Tha Phae Gate (ประตูท่าแพชั้นใน). The outer gate was later dismantled and the inner gate gradually became known by the shortened name Tha Phae Gate. The present gate was rebuilt between 1985 and 1986 on the basis of historical and archeological evidence, including an old photo from 1899. In Thai, the gate is known as Pratu Tha Phae, i.e. ‘Raft Landing Gate’. See also MAP, POSTAGE STAMPS, and WATCH VIDEO. 回