Northern Thailand where King Mengrai reigned as its first king in the 13th century A.D. was ruled by many succeeding king; but later on in the latter part of the 16th century A.D. It became a part of the Burmese Empire for some two centuries. Under Burmese influence the Northern Thai acquired certain characteristics of culture unlike those of the other parts of the country. Northern Thailand was finally relieved from the alien hold and formed part of the present kingdom of Thailand.