Deva is the Hindu term for deity; devatas (Thai: thewada) are a kind of smaller more focused devas; the equivalent of guardian spirits or guardian angels. There are male and female devata. In Hinduism; the devatas that guard the nine cardinal points are called Devata Lokapala (Guardians of the Directions) or in ancient Java called Dewata Nawa Sanga (Nine guardian gods). Each caste has its guardian deva; and every human activity has its devata; its spiritual counterpart or aspect.

King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai (meaning 'new city') in 1296; and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lanna kingdom. Chiang Mai sometimes written as 'Chiengmai' or 'Chiangmai'; is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand.