Phrae

Phrae

Phrae is the town of the famous Cho Hae Buddha's relics and Phae Muang Phi, the site of Muang Song, as mentioned in the literature 'Lilit Phra Lo'. It has an overall area of 6,538.6 square kilometers and is located 551 kms. from Bangkok. It is administratively divided into 8 Amphoes: Muang, Rong Kwang, Long, Wang Chin, Song, Sung Men, Den Chai and Nong Muang Kai.

What to see and what to do in Phrae?

Phrathat Cho Hae is located at Tambon Pa Daeng, 9 kms. from Phrae town. It is coated with thin Dok Buab gold sheet, having the height of 33 meters, width of each side of the base of 10 meters. The name Cho Hae is derived from a grade of satin, woven from Sib Song Panna Kingdom, wrapped around the pagoda by the villagers as an offering. An annual fair worshipping the pagoda takes place on the middle of the fourth lunar month of every year.

Wat Phra That Chom Chaeng is 3 kms beyond Phra That Cho Hae in Tambon Pa Daeng about 10 kms. from the city. The Wat is believed to be a shrine where Buddha's hair is kept. There is also a museum where various kinds of rare artifacts are displayed.

Wat Luang, Wat Phra Non and Wat Phra Non are located in Soi 1 on Kam Lu Road. Wat Luang is one of the oldest Wats believed to be the same age as the city of Phrae. The significant properties in this Wat include Phra That Luang Chai Chang Kham, a chedi of Chiang Saen style, Phra Chao Saen Luang , a Buddha image, and a museum where Phrae's antiques are collected. On Phra Non Nua Road near Wat Luang is Wat Phra Non where there is a Vihan (an image hall) with a beautifully carved pediment in Lanna Thai designs.

Wat Chom Sawan is located about one kilometer from the provincial hall on Yantrakitkoson Road in Tambon Thung Kwao. This monastery in Thai Yai style of the Burmese is constructed of wood. The building was used as the bat, vihara and monk residence at the same time. Inner decorations are elaborate carved wood inlaid with colorful glass. Art objects of the monastery include Luang Pho San, a bamboo-woven figure primed with black lacquer, an ivory image of Buddha covered with gold leaves in the Burmese artistic style, an ivory scripture in Burmese letters and a spire housing a marble image of Buddha

Wat Chom Sawan, Phrae

Wat Phra Bat Ming Muang Worawihan is located on Charoen Muang Road near the provincial hall. This monastery was built at the beginning of Rattanakosin Period and has housed Phra Phutthakosai Sirichai Mahasakayamuni (a Buddha image of Phrae), a replica of the Buddha's footprint and Phra Chedi Ming Muang (an old pagoda).

Phae Muang Phi Forest Park is located approximately 18 kms. from town, branching off at Km. 12 of Phrae-Rong Kwang Road for another 6 kms. on an access road to reach it. Within the area, there are strange looking earthen pillars derived by soil erosion. This area was originally a large shrubbed area (which in Thai means Phae or Pa Phae or the shrub) where villagers oftenly lost their way thus inspiring them to call the area Phae Muang Phi (the shrub or ghost community).

Tat Mok Waterfall, also called Mae Khoi Waterfall, is located in Tambon Suan Khuan, Amphoe Muang approximately 22 kms. from the provincial township area. It is a large three-leveled waterfall.

Tham Pha Nang Khoi is located in Amphoe Rong Kwang with a length of 200 meters naturally decorated with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites.

Huai Rong Waterfall, a large three-leveled waterfall, like Tat Mok Waterfall, is located in Amphoe Rong Kwang on Phrae - Nan Highway, 80 kms. from the town.

Tin Chok Cloth Weaving Villages
The Tin Chok cloth of Amphoe Long is woven elaborately and beautifully with cotton and silk. Ban Na Tum, Ban Hua Thung and Ban Na Mon are the three villages producing this special kind of cloth.

Phrathat Phra Lo pagoda is believed to be the place where ashes and bones left over after the cremation of Phra Lo and Ladies Phuan and Phaeng (as mentioned in "Lilit Phra Lo") are housed . It is located in Amphoe Song on the road linking Rong Kwang and Ngao.

Mae Yom National Park 70 Kms. from town, occupies the areas in Phrae's Amphoe Song and Lampang's Amphoe Ngao. From Amphoe Song, travel along the (old) route Song -Ngao for about 20 kms. Located in front of the park office is Kaeng Sua Ten Rapids . Further from the park office, there are Dong Sak Ngam , a teak forest (6 kms.) and Lom Dong, a large pool (10 km.) Since accommodation is not provided, tourists should bring tents for an overnight stay.

Wiang Ko Sai National Park in Amphoe Long and Wang Chin is 79 kms. from town. Travel along Highway No.101, turn right at Km.10 after passing through Amphoe Den Chai, turn right on Highway No. 11 for 40 kms. and turn left for another 13 kms. on the route to Amphoe Wang Chin to reach the park. There are several waterfalls and a hot water well with a temperature of 80 C. Accommodations are available, contact the National Parks Division, Royal Forestry Department, Tel. 579-0529, 579-4842.

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.