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 History
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| The founding myth of Lampang. Hariphunchai Period. Lampang was a major city in the Lanna kingdom. However, its historical prominence is largely overshadowed by Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai which were the traditional seats of government, and whose histories were well recorded in chronicles. Following decades of warfare with both the Ava burmese and Ayuddhya during the 17th-18th century, the region was in decline, severely depopulated, and subject to Burmese control. In the late 18th century, a famed marksman Nan Thipchang and a Lampang native, assassinated the local Burmese leader in the Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, and led an uprising which led to a roll back of Burmese rule over Lanna. Allied with Bangkok, the descendents of Nan Thip Chang, known as Chao Ched Ton (The Seven Princes), became the vassal rulers of the various Lanna cities until the annexation of Lanna into Siam (Thailand) proper under King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). |
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Economy
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| Lampang is famous for the production of ceramic goods and mining operations. A great deal of ball clay, china stone, and lignite are extracted from the surrounding mountains.
There are more than 200 ceramic factories in and around Mueang Lampang. Most of ceramic factories are small to medium size operations mainly producing novelties (plant pots, dolls), tablewares, and building materials (tiles, railings), etc.
The largest power plant in Thailand is located in Mae Mo district near the lignite mining area. The plant uses the abundant lignite as fuel. The largest concrete plant is also situated north of Mueang Lampang. This is also powered by the lignite. Limestone is another abundant mineral mined in Lampang.
Agricultural products that are famous for this province are rice and pineapples.
HistoricallyHistorically, logging was an important industry, since Lampang, together with nearby Phrae had a large stand of teak. Many elephants were employed to transport the logs to the river for transport to Bangkok, hence a founding of the 'Elephant School', the predecessor of the Thai Elephant Conservation Center. Much of the old growth teak stands in Lampang had been thoroughly harvested. |
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Geography and climate
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| Lampang city is situated in the valley of the Wang River, bordered by the Khuntan Range on the west and the Pi-Pan-Num range on the east. The river, a major tributary of the Chao Phraya flows directly through the city.
Lampang has a relatively dry climate relative to nearby provinces. "Winter" starts from the last rain, typically November, and last until March. Cold airmass from Siberia sometimes lead to night time temperature below 10 degrees Celsius, although that is quite rare. Winter is characterized by dry, sunny, and quite pleasant day, and cool and occasionally foggy nights. In recent times, the blue winter sky is often marred by the practice of burning the fields after the harvest, as well as the smog generated by Mae Mo coal-fired powerplants.
Summer typically starts from March until June. The temperature could soar to 40 degrees Celsius in April. Late afternoon thunderstorms and hailstorm are frequent.
Rainy season starts from June until November. Being in the relative rain shadow, Lampang receive less precipitation than neighboring provinces and rarely suffers from extensive flooding which has plagued Chiang Mai in recent years. |
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Transportation
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| Lampang is approximately 600 km from Bangkok. The city is an important highway hub, with 4-lane divided highways link to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, as well as major highway to Phrae and eastern Lanna provinces. Lampang is a major stop for the Chiang Mai-bound train, approximately 10 hours from Bangkok. Lampang Airport is currently served by PB Air, which operate daily flights to Bangkok via Phitsanulok. |
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Landmarks and tourist attractions
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While Lampang is a major northern city well-served by road, rail, and air transportation, it is spared from mass tourism which has altered the character of nearby cities such as Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Tourists typically stop by for lunch and visit the more famous attractions such as Wat Phra That Lampang Luang and the Thai Elephant Conservation Center and then proceed to points further north such as Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai. Less well-known tourist attractions in Lampang are thus mostly visited by locals. Among these are the Wang Kaeo waterfall and the Chae Son National Park, a compact yet charming park which combine a natural hot springs with large waterfalls.
Many temples in downtown Lampang were built in the Burmese style, originally endowed by the logging tycoons of the late-19th century. Wat Sri Bunrueang and Wat Pa Fang are among the extant examples. Traditional Lanna architecture can be found at Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, which situated at the site of the ancient Lampang city. It is famous for its murals from the 19th century. The city seal features a white rooster in the temple's gate. Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao, on the West Bank of the Wang River, is said to have housed the Emerald Buddha between 1436 and 1468. Wat Phra That Chedi Sao (The Temple of Twenty Chedis) is famous for its array of twenty pagodas. Other temples of some renown include Wat Prathat Jom Ping and Wat Lai Hin both in the Koh Ka district.
Mae Moh lignite mine. A vast open pit lignite mine in the Mae Moh basin. The mine and the adjoining power generation facilities are operated by EGAT and is a major source of electric power for Thailand.
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Park, Recreation and Sport
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Lampang city puts a great deal of interest in the quality of city in providing space for recreation and sports for people of all ages. People in the city also have access in several parks, and sport facilities in the province.
Golf is a popular sport in Lampang, the climate helps create the lush conditions that make courses such a pleasure to play and see. In Lampang city, there are two courses to be found ; Khelang Nakhon Golf Club with 9 holes in Surasakmontri Camp, and Mae Moh Golf Course with 18 holes in EGAT (Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand), at Mae Moh District.
The out door health activities such as jogging, aerobic dance and taijiquan dance are also beloved by Lampang people. That is why we have two natural public parks in the heart of the city : Khelang Nakorn Park which offers beautiful setting for the people to gather in the morning and afternoon for exercise or just to relax. Five minutes away is the Ha-yag Hor-na-lika Park or popularly known as Khuang Nakorn which has been renovated recently.
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Gateway to the North
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Geographically and strategically, Lampang City is situated right in the center of northern Thailand conveniently connected to Bangkok by air, by rail, and by road. From Lampang it is a beautiful 96 kilometers derive to Chiang Mai, 230 kilometers to Chiang Rai, and just under 200 kilometers to Phayao, Nan, Tak, Uttaradit, and Sukhothai. Phrae and Lamphun are just less than an hour drive.
Two flights a day connect Bangkok to Lampang City in a sixty minute jet flight. A beautiful overnight trains take travelers from Bangkok to Lampang City arriving early morning.
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Major Industries
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| Lampang is famous for the production of ceramic goods from the large deposit of ball clay, china stone supporting 300 ceramic factories large and small in the province. Thus Lampang is unofficially known as ceramic capital of Thailand attracting huge tourists and shoppers. Lampang also has the country largest deposit of lignite which helps generate up to 20 percent of the country needs for electricity. |
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Commerce
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| Lampang City is the commercial center of northern Thailand because of it?s geography connecting other provinces : Lamphun, Chiang Mai, Pra Yao, Chiang Rai, Phrae, Nan and the accessible transportation to Lampang : railway, airway and road. The main commercial area in Lampang is near Lampang railway station where located many wholesale stores of the agricultural products and building materials. In the heart of the city, Tambon Suan Dok and Hua Wieng are the main retail area where visitors can find clothing markets, fresh markets, superstores, banks, hotels, etc. |
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Banking
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| Because of the commerce and business affairs, Lampang city is one of the city that many banks were opened : there are about 53 branches of bank in Lampang. (there are : Government Housing Bank, Bank of Ayuhya Public Company Limited, Siam Commercial Bank, Bangkok Bank, United Overseas Bank, etc. ) Furthermore, in the past, the Bank of Thailand have established in the city since Lampang is a commercial center of northern thailand. |
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Tourism
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| Tourism in Lampang is the best kept secret attraction with plenty to see and do as well as to eat in the city, in the rural, and in the mountains. It is off the beaten path that visitors treasure. Not only is Lampang the favorite destination for Thais but for foreign visitors as well. |
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City Information
