Mueang

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Mueang (Thai: เมือง), Muang (Lao ເມືອງ), or Mong (Shan) 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.

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 colloquially known as Mueang Thai.

In Laos, the provinces are now subdivided into Muang, commonly translated as districts. Also, Laos is colloquially known as Mueng Lao.