According to historical records, the first Thai ruler is Meng Lai Wang, who is a descendant of the Tai Yi people of Xishuangbanna, Yunnan. Meng Lai Wang established the present-day Chiang Rai City [the capital of Meng Lai King] in 1263 AD, conquered the Nan Ben Kingdom in 1292 AD, and later established Chiang Mai City in 1298 AD.