Lamphun
the former name is Hariphunchai, is another interesting province rich with
natural resources and historical sites. The town was fouded in the year
1663 and the first ruler was a Queen called Chammathewi, This charming
procince is also noted for its beautiful women and tasty longans.
With an area of 4,506 sq.kms.,
the province has 6 Amphoes and one King Amphoe namely: Muang, Pa Sang,
Ban Homg, Mae Tha, Li, Thung Hua Chang and King Amphoe Ban Thi. The town
is about 670 kilometers from Bankok by car.
In the City
Wat Phrathat Hariphunchai
This monastery is approximately
150 meters from the township area, bult 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 legth on each side. One every
full moon day of the sixth lunar month, there is a celebration of this
Wat Phrethat in term of the annual fair.
Nearby is located the Hariphunchai National Museum which houses numerous Lanna antiques found in the region. The museum is open to public everyday except Monday, Tuesday and offical holidays from 09.00- 16.00. Admission fee is 5 bath.
Ku Kut Pagoda or Wat Chamma
Thewi (Suwan Changkot Chedi)
This monastey was built around
A.D. 755 by the Khmer artisans. The pagoda structure is of the square Buddha
Gaya charecteristics as seen in India. Three standing Buddha inages, in
the attitudes of blessing are enshrined on each level of the pagoda base
of each side totalling 15 images for one side of five levels, grand totalling
60 Buddha images around the pagoda. 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
being called by the inhabitants and Ku Kut or Pagoda without Top.
Other temples in the vicinity include Wat Mahawan , ,pted fpr sacred amulets, Wat Buddha Maha Sathan built by King Thammikarat about one thousand years ago.
Along the Route to Pa Sang (Highway No,106)
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 which 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" in English.
Annual celebration takes place on the eighth day of wanning moon of the sixth lunar month of every year when inhabitants of Lamphun and neighbouring provinces flock to such annual fair.
Amphoe Mae Tha
Doi Khun Tan National park
Doi Khun Tan is located on
a mountain range bordering on both Lampabe and Lamphun Provinces. There
is a 1,362 meter long tunnel, regarded the longest one in Thailand, for
railroad lying undemeath 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.
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.
Amphoe Li
Mae Ping National Park situated
between kms. 19-20 on Ban Ko - Li route, the park covers a lake and a forest
above Phumiphol dam. Accommodations available at National Parks Division,
Royal Forestry Department. Tel, 5790529, 5794842.