Lampang Province

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It is administratively divided into 12 Amphoes and 1 King Amphoe: Muang, Chae Hom, Hang Chat, Ko Kha, Mae Mo, Mae Phrik, Mae Tha, Kgao, Soem Ngam, Sop Prap, Thoen, Wang Nua, and King Amphoe 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.

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

Wat Chedi Sao
Is also on the right bank of Mae Nam Wang, north of town. The temple os attractively set in an open ricefield. The complex is impressive with its Myanma-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 facade 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.

The Young Elephant Training 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 trian elephants for forest work.

The Centre has more than 100 adult elephants and is located behind Ban Pang La, 54 kilometers east of Lampang, and is about half a kilometer off Phahonyothin Highway. As of January 1992, the Elephant Training Centre will be moved to Suan Pa Thung Kwain located at Km. 25-26 on Lampang-Lamphun Road.

The Centre's main purposes are:

a. To train young elephants in necessary forest-working skills.
b. To educate young elephants in in work and discipline.
c. To separate them from their mothers, enabling the latter to wrok without hindrance.
d. The protect them from possible danger, such as attacks from wild animals or disease.
e. To place them under good care of FIO veterinarians.

Yong elephants are enrolled in the training centre between the ages of three to five. They leam discipline and forest-working skills. The course lasts about five years.

The annual training schedule for young elephants is as follows:

The Summer Vacation lasts from March to May. Training occurs between June and February.

The school closes on religious days. Daily training occurs between 9.00 and 11.00 am. The training rncludes:

a. Bathing
b. Pushing logs with tusks and trunk.
c. Assembly on the parade ground.
d. Walking in single file pairs and procession.
e. Helping mahouts to mount and dismount, crouching down on all fours, lowering legs and head, and picking up small objects with the trunk.
f. Log-hauling.
g. Carying log with tusks and trunk.
h. Piling logs (by male elephants).
i. Becoming familiar with noises of logging machines.
j. Working on rough terrain in the Demonstration Forest.

An elephant's life, and working years, are as follows.
1-2 years old - elephant stays with its mother.
3-5 - primary training.
6-10 - secondary training in the training centre.
11-15 - working in the forest on light jobs.
16-38 - starting hard work.
39-50 - reaching the peak of its ability and beginning to slowly decline.
51-60 - lower capabilities compared with previous period
61 - retirement age for FIO elephants who are allowed to roam with one caretaker each until they die.

Doi Khuntan National Park
Is located within Lampang and Lamphun, has an area of 225 square kiliometers and an altitude of 1,272 meters. Access to teh park is possible only by train. The Doi Khumtan 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. Bungalow reservations can be made in person at the Bangkok Railway Station, Rama IV Road. Camping sites are also available; campers must bring their own tents and other camping equipment.

Tham Pha Thai Forest Park
Lies at kilometer 67 on the Lampang-Ngao Road and hosts a big Buddha image and coolurful stalagmites.

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. 23.3 throught 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 procided. Another mean is from the private sector whose bungalows and pleasant rafts tour are available for vistors who wish to explore natural surrounding. One of these is Kiu Lom Resort, and reservation can be made by Tel: (054) 217186,221735.

Wat Sichum
This monastery os 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 Muanma arts having very sophisticated and beautiful wood carvings on the structure of the Vihara while gold guilt works are found on the walls, ceiling and big pillars in the Vihara, regarded as another exquisite graceful beauty of Myanma arts.

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 bu Lampang inhabitants. The shrine was constructed in commemoration of a smart soldier who was the right hand of a king of Lampang who was killed in a battle by the Myanma enemies at this Pratu Pha Pass.

Ban Sao-nak
Located in the centre of Lampang city. Ban Sao-nak is a teak wood house in a combination of northern Thai and Myanma architectural styles which is distinctive and individual with its 116 teak pillars. It is a private residence of Khunying Valai Leelanuj, the princpal of Lampang kallayance School where Khan Toke Dinner and Northem performances are shown to tourist on special request. Contact Tel: (054) 217540 for more details.

Namtok Wang Kaeo
One of the most beautiful waterfalls in Thailand, with water cascading down 110 tiers from a top of a mountain which can be seen up to four kilometers away. Hilltribe villages are located on top of the Mountain. Namtok Wang Kaeo is in the area of Doi luang National Park, located in Amphoe Wang Nua, 130 kms. from Lampang on Lampang - Chae Hom Road.

Namtok Cahe Son is in king Amphoe Muang Pan and consists of 7 tiere of waterfall, the first of which is the finest. About 1 kilometer befroe Namtok Chae Son is Chae Son mineral spa where hot and cool streams converge. The spot is called "Warm water basin".

Wat Phrathat Chom Ping
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 happenning 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 Khiri, Amphoe Chae Hom in Lampang.

HOW TO GET TO LAMPANG

By Bus
Regular buses leave the Northern Bus Terminal, Phahonyothin Road. Further information, please contact Tel: 2794484-7 for air conditioned bus and Tel: 2710101-5 for non air condittioned bus. For private air-conditioned bus companies, please contact Thanchit Thanchit Tour Tel: 2796768, and Thavorn Farm Tel: 2713011,2783875.

By Train
There are daily trains connect Lampang with Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Express trains leave Bangkok at 18.00 and 19.40 hours and arrive in Lampang at 05.10 and 06.01 hours. Tel: 2237010, 2237020 for complete details.

By Plane
Thai Airways International Ltd., (Domestic) operates flights to Lampang daily from Bangkok Tel: 2800070, 2800080 or your trave agent for reservations. And (054) 217078, 218199.

Souvenir Shops

Lampang Store 1036 Charoen Muang Road
Thai Rung Rueng 103 Bunyawat Road
Lieg Haut 100 Bunyawat Road
Lumpini Bunyawat Road
Limsaeng Phanit 13 Bunyawat Road
Kittirot Ceramic between Lampang and Ko-Kha Road
Or-rawan ivory Store Bunyawat Road, Tel: 218895

Restaurats (Area Code 054)

Ruan Phae Lampang-Chiang Rai Super-Hightway, Tel: 218979
Asia Coffee shop Asia Hotel, Tel: 218078, 218822
Phaithong 357/37 Phahonyothin Road, Tel: 217844
Kangsadan Lampang-Chiang Rai Super-Highway
Siang Phochana 6/1 Surain Road, Tel: 218497
Aree O-cha Bunyawat Road
Rung Tawan Takrao Noi Road, Tambon Soptui
Mae Hae 1017 Upparat Road, Tel: 221904
Lanna Thai Lampang-Chiang Rai Super-Highway
Si Wang 369/8 Chatchai Road, Tel: 217766