Lamphun

Lamphun

Lamphun, formerly Hariphunchai, is another historical site. 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.

What to see and what to do in Lamphun?

Wat Phrathat Hariphunchai is located in the center of Lamphun. Itt was 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 a nine - tiered umbrella, made of gold weighing approximately 6,498.75 grams on the top. The base is 20 meters square. On every full moon day of the sixth lunar month, there is a celebration of this Wat Phrathat in the form of the annual fair.

Wat Phra That Haripunchai, Lamphun

Hariphunchai National Museum 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) is a monastery built around A.D. 755 by Khmer artisans. The pagoda structure is of the square Buddha Gaya style as seen in India. Three standing Buddha images, in the attitudes of blessing are enshrined on each side of each level, totaling 15 images for one side for five levels, grand totaling 60 Buddha images around thepagoda. 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 rise to the name"Ku Kut" or Pagoda without top.
Other temples in the area include Wat Mahawan, noted for sacred amulets and 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.

Statue of Queen Chammathewi, Lamphun

Tak Pha Buddha Footprints are located on the top of a small hill in Tambon Makok, Amphoe Pa Sang, 16 kms. from the township area. The legend says that Lord Buddha left his footprints for Lawa tribal people to pay homages to in lieu of his presence. He also dried his suffron robe on the cliff. Today,one can see a mark looking like a piece of suffron robe being dried on the cliff. Thus originating the name of Tak Pha Buddha Footprints or Drying Suffron Robe Buddha Footprints.
An annual celebration takes place on the eight day of the warming moon in the sixth lunar month when inhabitants of Lamphun and neighbouring provinces flock to the annual fair.

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

Naga head at Wat Chammathewi, Lamphun

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

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

Lampang

Lampang

Lampang is situated on the right bank of Mae Nam Wang and lies 599 kilometers north of Bangkok at the junction of Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai highways. It has 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 N gam, Sop Prap, Thoen, Wang Nua and Muang Pan.

Lampang lays claim to two unique features. One, it is the only Thai town still using colorful horse drawn carriages as a means of everyday urban transport. Two, 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.

What to see and what to do in Lampang?

Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao is on the right bank of Mae Nam Wang. It is an old structure which has an impressive chedi on a rectangular base with a round spire topped inlaid with gilded bronze plaques. A Burmese style chapel topped by tiered roofs stands next to it. The chapel contains a Burmese style Buddha image with particularly interesting decorations. The chapel probably dates from the late 18th century. Beautiful colors 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 viham with a carved wood facade and double level rooves. Harmonious proportions and exquisite interior decoration make Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang one of the best examples of Northern-style religious architecture.

Wat Phra That Lampang Luang

Wat Phrathat Chom Ping is situated at Mu 5, Ban Chom Ping, Tambon Na Kaeo, Amphoe Ko Kha about 26 kms. southwest of Lampang city. The unusual feature of this temple is the shadow of the pagoda which appears on the floor of the convocation hall through its window. This similar event also happens at Wat Akkho Chai Khiri, Amphoe Chae Hom in Lampang.

The Elephant Conservation Center is attached to the Veterinary Section, Northern Timber Work Division, Forestry Industry Organization and is the first center in Thailand to train elephants for forest work. The Centre is located in Ban Tung Kiewn, Amphoe Hang Chat, on Lampang-Chiang Mai Highway 32 kms. from Lampang. At the center, the elephant's activities such as bathing, working and log pushing are demonstrated for the public. In addition, the center provides elephant riding tour.

Doi Khuntan National Park, located within Lampang and Lamphun, has an area of 225 square kilometers 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. However, 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, bungalows belonging to the State Railways, a missionary area and the Royal Forestry Department.
Camp sites are also available. Campers must bring their own tents and the camping equipment.

Wat Sichum is a monastery situated on Lampang - Ngao Highway. Its architecture is of Burmese style having very sophisticated and beautiful wood carvings on the Vihara. Gold gilded works are found on the walls, ceiling and big pillars in the Vihara, which is another exquisite, graceful, beauty of Burmese arts. Its is regrettable that the vihara's upper part which was made of wood was badly damaged by fire. Only the carved-wood arch at the entrance remains.

Chao Pho Pratu Pha Shrine is located 50 kms. from Lampang town 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. He was the right hand man of a king of Lampang and 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 large Buddha image and colourful stalagmites. Chae Son National Park covers areas in Amphoe Muang, Amphoe Chae Son and Amphoe Muang Phan. Travel along Lampang - Wag Nua Road, turn left at km. 58-59 and go another 17kms. Attractive spots are the Hot Water Well, Chae Son Waterfall and Mae Mon Waterfall. For detailed information, please contact the National Park Division, Royal Forest Department, Tel. 579-0529, 579-4842.

Doi Luang National Park covers areas of Lampang, Phayao and Chiang Rai. The main attraction in Lampang is Wang Kaeo Waterfall, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in that province. Its water cascades down 110 tiers from a top of a mountain and can be seen up to four kilometers away. Hilltribe villages are live on top of the mountain. Wang Kaeo Waterfall is located in Amphoe Wang Nua, 130 kms. from Lampang on Lampang - Chae Hom Road.

Salung Luang Procession and Lampang Songkran Festival is held during April 12-14 each year. There is a traditional parade, merit-making, paying respects to elders and traditional performances.

Phayao

Phayao

Phayao has an overall area of 6,355 square kilometers and is administratively devided into 7 Amphoes (Districts) and 2 King Amphoes (Subdistrict): Amphoe Muang, Chun, Chiang Kham, Chiang Muan, Dok Kham Tai, Pong, Mae Chai, King Amphoe Phu Kam Yao and King Amphoe Phu Sang. Phayao is located 690 kilometers from Bangkok.

What to see and what to do in Phayao?

Wat Si Umong Kham has a pagoda of the Chiang Saen Period in perfect conditions. This monastery also houses the Buddha image "Luang Po Ngam Muang Ruang Rit" or the so-called "Phra Chao Lan Tu". It is regarded as the most beautiful Buddha image of Lanna Thai and a unique artistic symbol of Phukamyao, the ancient Phayao Kingdom.

Wat Si Khom Kham is located in Amphoe Muang on the bank of Phayao Lake (commonly called "Wat Phra Chao Ton Luang") and houses a principal Bhudda image having a lap width of 14 meters, height of 17 meters. The annual fair takes place every May. Located within the monastery compound is "Ho Thai Nithat", a building with antiques, literary items, local intellectual displays and Phayao's life style scenes are shown.

Phayao lake

Wat Analayo is on Doi Busarakham, 20 kms. from town to the north. It is a large temple built by a Thai monk, who was known as "Phra Kru Phaiboon". Within its wide compound, resides a big, beautiful Buddhist image of the Sukhothai style, as well as, many other interesting structures.

Doi Luang National Park covers areas in Chiang Rai, Lampang and Phayao. The main attraction in Phayao's area is " Champa Thong Waterfall". This beautiful waterfall is situated at Km. 7 on Phayao-Chiang Rai Highway, about 18 kms. from town.

Wiang Lo Ancient Town or "Muang Phra Lo" is located around 17 kilometers away from Amphoe Chun along highway no. 1021. At Ban Huai Ngiu, there is a branch to Ban Nam Chun, which is about 12 kilometers along a dusty road. From the remainings of the old city walls and a lot of deserted temples, the site was assumed to be a city in the reign of Pho Khun Ngam Muang (King Ngam Muang). Here, an old monastery "Wat Si Ping Muang" is located. As this area is adjacent to the point where the Chun River runs to join the Ing River. It is locally called "Sop Ing" (a meeting point).

Nam Pin Waterfall is located at Mu 9, Tambon Fai Kwang, Amphoe Chiang Kham. It cascades from a 10 meter high cliff and is 107 kms. from the township area by road.