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History

Chiang Mai was founded in 1296 by King Mengrai as the Royal City of the Kingdom of Lanna, reaching greatness in the 15th century under King Tilokaraj but annexed by the Burmese in 1558. In 1866 Kawilorot allowed Presbyterian Missionaries into his kingdom but it was not until 1878 that King Chulalongkorn decreed religious toleration of all faiths which allowed advancements in medicine, education, teaching and religion to take place.

In 1874 a treaty between Siam and British India was signed which regulated the teak trade for the mainly British Burmese subjects.  This was followed in 1982 by problems between the Chao, missionaries, foreign teak interests and fears about British and French intentions. This led the Siamese government to take a firm grip over the northern states during the 1880s and 1890s.  The teak rush began in 1889 and by the time the Gymkhana Club was formed there were some 50 foreigners in the North.  These included the British Consul, British and French Vice Consuls from Nan, Forestry Department officials, American missionaries and of course the teak and trading companies.

The Club's membership therefore changed markedly over the years but consisted of mainly British public school men who were either settled or living temporarily in  Chiang Mai, Lampang, Phrae, Nan, Tak, or even in the jungle. It was mainly from these non-Thai groups of people that the Chiengmai Gymkhana Club was formed.

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