Mueang (Thai: เมือง; Lao: Muang ເມືອງ; Vietnamese: Mường; Shan language: Mong) were historical semi-independent city-states or principalities in present-day Thailand, Laos, parts of northern Vietnam and the Shan State of Myanmar. Smaller Mueang were subordinate to more powerful neighboring Mueang, which in turn were subordinate to the central king, as described in Mandala (Southeast Asian history). The more powerful Mueang, sometimes called kingdoms, occasionally tried to liberate themselves from their suzerain and sometimes enjoyed times of independence. Mueang large and small often shifted allegiance, or paid tribute to more than one powerful neighbor.
In the thesaphiban reforms of Prince Damrong Rajanubhab, city-states under Siam were organized into Monthon (Thai translation of Mandala,) which was changed to Changwat in 1916.[1] 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, such as Don Mueang District, home to Don Mueang International Airport, and Pattaya (Thai: เมืองพัทยา; RTGS: Mueang Phatthaya,) a self-governing municipal area. 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.