Lamphun, North, Thailand

Lunphun, formerly Hariphunchai, is another historical sites. The town was founded in the year 1663 and the first ruler was a Queen called Chammathewi.

This charming province is also noted for its beautiful women and tasty longans.With an area of 4,506 sq.kms., the province has 7 Amphoes namely : Muang, Pa Sang, Ban Hong, Mae Tha, Li, Thung Hua Chang, and Ban Thi. The town is about 670 kilometers from Bangkok by car.

Lamphun Attractions:

Wat Phrathat Hariphunchai

This monastery is in the township area, built in the reign of King Athittayarat and has been repaired, renewed, and enlarged from time to time. Phrathat Hariphunchai Pagoda is currently 46 meters high having nine - tiered umbrella, made of gold weighing approximately 6,498.75 grams, placing on the top. The base is of square shape with 20 meters in length on each side. On every full moon day of the sixth lunar month, there is a celebration of this Wat Phrathat in term of the annual fair.

Hariphunchai National Museum

which houses numerous Lanna antiques found in the region. The museum is open to public everyday except Monday, Tuesday and official holidays from 09.00 - 16.00. Admission fee is 10 baht.

Ku Kut Pagoda or Wat Chamma Thewi (Suwan Changkot Chedi)

This monastery was built around A.D. 755 by Khmer artisans. The pagoda structure is of the square Buddha Gaya characteristics as seen in India. Three standing Buddha is mages, in the attitudes of blessing are enshrined on each level of the pagoda base of each side totaling 15 images for one side of five levels, grand totaling 60 Buddha images around the pagodas. Relics of Queen Chammathewi, the first ruler of Hariphunchai, are housed inside the pagoda. The pagoda top was originally covered with gold but later, was broken and disappeared thus giving ris to the name "Ku Kut" or Pagoda without top. Other temples in the vicinity include Wat Mahawan, noted for sacred amulets, Wat Phra Yun or Wat Buddha Maha Sathan built by King Thammikarat about one thousand years ago. Along Highway to Chiang Mai is located the village of Nong Chang Khun which is noted for the biggest plantations of longans in the country.

Highway No. 106 (Along the Route to Pa Sang)

Amphoe Pa Sang is about 10 kilometers from Lamphun. It is noted as the centre for local handicrafts and also for its beautiful and charming women.

Tak Pha Buddha Footprints

The footprints are located on the top of a small hill in the area of Tambon Makok, Amphoe Pa Sang, 16 kms. from the township area. The legend says that Lord Buddha left his footprints during his visit to that locality for Lawa tribal people to pay their homages to in lieu of he himself. He also dried his suffron robe on the cliff where one, at present, can see a mark like a piece of suffron robe being dried there thus originating the name of Tak Pha Buddha Footprints or Drying Suffron Robe Buddha Footprints. Annual celebration takes place on the eight day of wanning moon of the sixth lunar month of every year when inhabitants of Lamphun and neighbouring provinces flock to the annual fair.

Amphoe Mae ThaDoi Khun Tan National Park

Doi Khun Tan is located on a mountain range bordering on both Lampang and Lamphun Provinces. There is a 1,362 meter long tunnel, regarded the longest in Thailand, for railroad underneath the mountain. There are accommodations, which belong to the Royal State Railway of Thailand, a missionary party, and the Royal Forestry Department, on top of Doi Khun Tan.

Amphe Li

Mae Ping National Park situated at km. 47 on Lamphun - Li - Thoen route, (Highway 106) the park covers a lake and a forest above Phumiphol Dam. Attractions in the area of the park are : Namtok Ko Luang, Tham Yang Wi, and Kaeng Ko, etc.

Langan Fair This fair, held in August every year, features a contest to judge the best fruit and select Miss Lamyai (Langan) for each year.

Lampang, North, Thailand

Lampang, is situated on the right bank of Mae Nam Wang and lies 599 kilometers north of Bangkok at the junction of highways of Chiang Rai Chiang Mai, with an area of 12,543 sq.kms.It is administratively divided into 13 Amphoes : Muang, Chae Hom, Hang Chat, Ko Kha, Mae Mo, Mae Phrik, Mae Tha, Ngao, Soem Ngam, Sop Prap, Thoen, Wang Nua, and Muang Pan.Lampang lays claim to two unique features : it is the sole Thai town still using colourful horse drawn carriages as a means of everyday urban transport, and it claims to have the world's only training school for baby elephants. Both attractions account for the bulk of Lampang's Thai and foreign visitors.

Lampang, North, Thailand

Lampang, is situated on the right bank of Mae Nam Wang and lies 599 kilometers north of Bangkok at the junction of highways of Chiang Rai Chiang Mai, with an area of 12,543 sq.kms.It is administratively divided into 13 Amphoes : Muang, Chae Hom, Hang Chat, Ko Kha, Mae Mo, Mae Phrik, Mae Tha, Ngao, Soem Ngam, Sop Prap, Thoen, Wang Nua, and Muang Pan.Lampang lays claim to two unique features : it is the sole Thai town still using colourful horse drawn carriages as a means of everyday urban transport, and it claims to have the world's only training school for baby elephants. Both attractions account for the bulk of Lampang's Thai and foreign visitors.

Lampang Attractions

Wat Phra Kaeo Don TaoOn the right bank of Mae Nam Wang is an old building which consists of an impressive chedi on a rectangular base with a round spire topped with gilded bronze plaques. A Burmese - style chapel topped by tiered roofs stands against it. The chapel contains a Burmese style Buddha image with particularly interesting decorations. The chapel probable dates from the late 18th century. Beautiful colours and elaborate harmony make Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao one of Thailand's best examples of Burmese - style temples.

Wat Chedi Sao(Temple of Twenty Chedis) is also on the right bank of Mae Nam Wang, north of town. The temple is attractively set in an open ricefield. The complex is impressive with its Burmese - style bell - like spires.

Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang

Lies some 20 kilometers south of Lampang and is one of the North's finest temples. The chedi towers above surrounding trees. To the left of the chedi is a viharn with a carved wood fa?ade and double - level roofs. Harmonious proportions and exquisite interior decoration make Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang one of the best examples of Northern - style religious architecture.

Wat Phrathat Chom Ping is situated at Mu 5, Ban Chom Ping, Tambon Na Kaeo, Amphoe Ko Kha about 26 kms. south - west of Lampang provincial city. The unnatural happening of this temple is the shade of the pagoda reflexed on the floor of the convocation hall through the hole of its window, this similar event also happened at Wat Akkho Chai Khiri, Amphoe Chae Hom in Lampang.

The Elephant Conservation Centre is attached to the Veterinary Section of the Northern Timber Work Division of the Forestry Industry Organization and is the first centre in Thailand to train elephants for forest work.

The Center is located in Ban Tung Kiewn, Amphoe Hang Chat, on Lampang - Chiang Mai Highway 32 kms. from Lampang. At the center, the elephants's activities such as bathing, working, log pushing, etc. are held for show. In addition, the center has provided elephant riding tourist route.

Doi Khuntan National Park is located within Lampang and Lamphun, has an area of 225 squarekilometers and an altitude of 1,272 meters. Access to the park is possible by taking Lampang - Lamphun highway and branching off at Km. 47 for 18 kms., but the easiest way is by train to Khuntan station. The Doi Khuntan area was first explored early this century when German engineers were excavating Thailand's longest tunnel (some 1.3 kilometers) on the Bangkok - Chiang Mai railway line. The main trail climbs from Khuntan station to park headquarters and bungalows belonging to the State Railways, a missionary part and the Royal Forestry Department. Camping sites are also available ; campers must bring their own tents and the camping equipment.

Wat Sichum This monastery is situated on Lampang - Ngao Highway just passing the main entrance of Lampang Teacher's Training College and branching off at km. 601 on the left to this monastery. Its architecture is of Burmese arts having very sophisticated and beautiful wood carvings on the structure of the Vihara while gold gilded works are found on the walls, ceiling and big pillars in the Vihara, regarded as another exquisite graceful beauty of Burmese arts. Its is regrettable that the vihara's upper part which was made of wood was mostly damaged by fire. Only the carved - wood arch at the entrance has been left.

Kiu Lom Dam and Reservior It is located about 37 kms. from the township area on Lampang - Ngao Highway where a left turn is to be made at Km. 623 - 624 through another 14 kms. to the dam site. The dam is under the administration of the Royal Irrigation Department, open to the public everyday from 06.00 - 18.00 hrs. but no accommodation provided. Another mean is from the private sector whose bungalows and pleasant raft tour are available for visitors who wish to explore natural surrounding.

Chao Pho Pratu Pha Shrine This shrine is located 50 kms. from Lampang township area on the right hand side of Lampang - Ngao Highway. It is a big spirit shrine housing the statue of Chao Pho Pratu Pha (The spirit ruling the area of Pratu Pha) highly revered by Lampang inhabitants. The shrine was constructed in commemoration of a brave soldier who was the right hand man of a king of Lampang who was killed in a battle by the Burmese enemies at this Pratu Pha Pass.

Tham Pha Thai Forest Park Lies at kilometer 665 on the Lampang - Ngao Road and hosts a big Buddha image and colourful stalagmites.

Chae Son National Park covers areas in Amphoe Muang, Amphoe Chae Son, Amphoe Muang Phan. Travel along Lampang - Wag Nua Road, turn left at km. 58 - 59 and take another 17 kms. Attractive spots are Hot Water Well, Namtok Chae Son, and Namtok Mae Mon. For detailed information, please contact the National Park Division, Royal Forest Department, Tel. 579-0529, 579-4842.