Mueang (Thai: เมือง) or Muang (Lao ເມືອງ) were semi-independent city-states or principalities in present-day Thailand, Laos and the Shan State of Myanmar. The smaller of the Mueang were subordinate of more powerful neighboring Mueang, which then were subordinate of the central king. These powerful Mueang, sometimes called kingdom, also occasionally tried to liberate themselves from their suzerain and enjoyed times of independence. Shan State is a state located in Myanmar (Burma), which takes its name from the Shan people, the majority ethnic group in the Shan State. ... In politics, a country (or in some cases, a group of countries) over which a king or queen reigns, is a kingdom, see: monarchy. ...

In Siam these city-states were converted into the present-day provinces (changwat) during the thesaphiban reforms of Prince Damrong Rajanubhab. The word Mueang still can be found as the term for the capital districts of the provinces (amphoe mueang), as well as for a municipal status equivalent to town (thesaban mueang). A few districts also contain Mueang as part of their name. Also, Thailand is colloquial known as mueang thai. Thailand is divided into 76 provinces (Thai: จังหวัด, changwat, singular and plural), which are grouped into 5 groups of provinces - sometimes the East and Central are grouped together. ... HRH Prince Damrong Rajanubhab (Thai including his full title: สมเด็จพระเจ้าบรมวงศ์เธอ กรมพระยาดำรงราชานุภาพ) (June 21, 1862 – December 1, 1943) was the founder of the modern Thai education system as well as the modern provincial administration. ...

In Laos, the provinces are now subdivided into Muang, commonly translated as districts. Also, Laos is colloquial known as mueng lao. Laos is divided into 16 provinces (Lao ແຂວງ, khoueng), 1 municipality* (ນະຄອນຫລວງ, kampheng nakhon), and 1 special zone** (ເຂດພິເສດ, khetphiset). ...

See also

• Mandala system