The Chiang Mai Chronicle reports that in 1761 a monk of Wat Duang Di became ruler of Chiang Mai, at a time when Chiang Mai was independent for a short period before the Burmese returned to again govern the country (1763 – 1774).

In 1819 King Thammalangka, the second ruling prince of Chiang Mai, renovated the monastery and held a dedication celebration. Wat Duang Di has a Wihan and monastic library with beautiful gilded wood carvings.