Bishop Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana was appointed leader of the Diocese of Chiang Mai.

[citation needed] The history of the diocese dates back to the time when Siam granted its people the freedom to choose and practice their own religious faith.

In 1913, Bishop Rene Perros revived the proposal to establish a center for evangelization in the northern region.

After exploring the possibilities of performing missionary activities in the area, they wrote to the bishop that the situation in Chiang Mai looked auspicious.

In 1930, Bishop Perros brought Father George Mirabel to the mission together with a Thai priest, Father Nicholas Bunkerd Kitbamrung (who is now recognized as Blessed Nicholas Bunkerd Kitbamrung, Martyr by the Roman Catholic Church), to start the work of evangelization in Chiang Mai.

A number of Catholic schools and churches were built while parishes and areas of apostolate and pastoral work were defined.

At present, the entire Diocese of Chiang Mai is under the leadership of His Excellency Bishop Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana, who received his episcopal ordination on 1 May 2009.

Of a total population of 5.7 million, the number of Catholics has grown to 68,975 along with 15,080 catechumens who are preparing themselves to receive the sacrament of baptism.

Serving as the seat of the Catholic missions in the northern region of Thailand, the entire diocese covers a total land area of 85,852 square kilometers covering all eight Northern provinces: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nan, Phayao, Phrae, Mae Hong Son, Lampang and Lamphun.

[1] The principal church of the diocese is the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart (Thai: อาสนวิหารพระหฤทัย; Asana Wihan Phra HaRueThai; location 18°46′30.5″N 99°0′11.2″E / 18.775139°N 99.003111°E / 18.775139; 99.003111) in Chiang Mai.