| Ping River | |
| Map: | Chaophrayarivermap.png |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | Thailand |
| Subdivision Type4: | District |
| Subdivision Name4: | Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Nakhon Sawan |
| Subdivision Type5: | Cities |
| Subdivision Name5: | Chiang Mai, Saraphi, San Sai, Kamphaeng Phet, Banphot Phisai |
| Length: | 658km (409miles) |
| Discharge1 Location: | Nakhon Sawan |
| Discharge1 Avg: | 265m3/s |
| Discharge1 Max: | 2302m3/s |
| Source1: | Khun Ping[1] |
| Source1 Location: | Doi Thuai, Chiang Mai |
| Source1 Coordinates: | 19.8125°N 98.8389°W |
| Source1 Elevation: | 1700m (5,600feet) |
| Mouth: | Chao Phraya River |
| Mouth Location: | Pak Nam Pho, Nakhon Sawan |
| Mouth Elevation: | 25m (82feet) |
| Progression: | Chao Phraya → Gulf of Thailand |
| Basin Size: | 44688km2 |
| Tributaries Left: | Ngad River, Kwuang River, Li River, Wang River |
| Tributaries Right: | Taeng River, Chaem River |
The Ping River (Thai: แม่น้ำปิง,, in Thai pronounced as /mɛ̂ː.náːm pīŋ/; น้ำแม่ปิง, pronounced as /nâːm mɛ̂ː.pīŋ/) along with the Nan River, is one of the two main tributaries of the Chao Phraya River.[2] It originates at Doi Thuai in the Daen Lao Range, in Chiang Dao district, Chiang Mai province. After passing Chiang Mai, it flows through the provinces of Lamphun, Tak and Kamphaeng Phet. At the confluence with the Nan at Nakhon Sawan (also named Paknam Pho in Thai), it forms the Chao Phraya River.
Evidence shows that habitation along the Ping River dates back to 1500 BCE. At that time it controlled trading routes between Yunnan and the Chao Phraya basin.
Mengrai, a ruler and conqueror from Xishuangbanna, turned south to create an alternative "silk road" along the Ping River itself and captured Haripunchai in 1281. Following his successful conquest, he created Wiang Kum Kam as his capital before abandoning it following nearly a decade of floods, finally moving kilometres north to establish Chiang Mai as the capital of the Kingdom of Lanna in 1296.
In the 20th century, the Ping River became a part of Siam. Chinese and foreign investors flooded the area, all in search of lucrative teak and business transactions. Missionaries came and built Chiang Mai’s first church along the eastern bank of the river, an area set aside for foreign residents by the ruling government who occupied the safe, flood-free western banks. Land along the banks, including its islands, were repurposed, such as a small island in the river that was donated to an American missionary Dr. James McKean by Chao Inthawarorot Suriyawong in 1907 to become a leper colony. With no cure for leprosy until the 1980s, lepers found relief in their sanctuary from social criticism, many of whom remain at the McKean Rehabilitation Centre today.
See main article: Tributaries of the Chao Phraya River.
The Ping Basin is one of the largest drainage basins of the Chao Phraya Watershed, draining 33896km2 of land.
The greater Ping Basin, i.e. the basin of the entire Ping river system including its tributary the Wang River, drains a total of 44688km2.
The main dams in the basin are the Bhumibol Dam and the Doi Tao Dam.
The Ping itself originates in Huai Nam Dang National Park and flows through Mae Ping National Park.