For centuries Nan was an independent kingdom but, due to its remoteness, had few

connections to the other kingdoms. The first kingdom around the city Mueang Pua (also
known as Varanagara) was created in the late 13th century. Its rulers, the Phukha
dynasty, were related to the founders of Vientiane, however it became associated with
the Sukhothai kingdom as it was easier to reach from the south than from the east or
west. In the 14th century the capital was moved to its present location at Nan.

In the 15th century, when Sukhothai declined in power, it became vassal of the kingdom
of Lannathai. In 1443 King Kaen Thao of Nan plotted to capture neighboring Phayao by
asking King Tilokaraj to help him fight against Vietnamese troops attacking Nan, even
though there was no such threat. Kaen Thao killed the king of Phayao, however the
troops of Tilokaraj then attacked Nan itself, and captured it in 1449.

When Lannathai was under Burmese rule, Nan tried to liberate itself many times without
success, which finally led to direct Burmese rule of Nan in 1714. In 1788 the Burmese
rulers were finally driven out. Nan had to then accept new rulers from Siam. In 1893
after the Paknam crisis Siam had to give a big part of eastern Nan to French Indochina.
In 1899 mueang Nan became part of the circle (Monthon) Tawan Tok Chiang Nuea
(northwestern circle).[3] In 1916 the northwestern circle was split and Nan was assigned
into the circle Maharat.[4] When the circles were abolished in 1932, the provinces
including Nan became top-level subdivisions of Siam.

Before the early 1980s, bandits as well as People's Liberation Army of Thailand (PLAT)
guerrillas were a big problem in the province, usually destroying highway construction
overnight. With the help of the army and the more stable political system the province
improved significantly, but is still a very rural and remote area.