Lampang Province
Encyclopedia
Lampang is one of the northern provinces
(changwat) of Thailand
. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Chiang Rai
, Phayao
, Phrae
, Sukhothai
, Tak
, Lamphun
and Chiang Mai
. The old name of Lampang is Khelang Nakhon.
, surrounded by mountain chains. In the Mae Mo district
lignite
is found and mined in open pits. To the north of the province is the 1697 m high Doi Luang.
Within the province are the national parks Tham Pha Thai, Chae Son, Doi Khun Than, as well as the Huay Tak Teak Biosphere Reserve.
, china stone
, and lignite
are extracted from the surrounding mountains.
There are more than 200 ceramic factories in and around Mueang Lampang district
. 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 lignite. Limestone
is another abundant rock mined in Lampang.
The agricultural products that this province is famous for, are rice and pineapples.
kingdom of the Mon. In the 11th century the Khmer empire
occupied the Lampang area, but it was King Mengrai
of Lannathai who incorporated the complete Haripunchai kingdom into his kingdom in 1292. Lampang or Nakhon Lampang or Lakhon, was under the Burmese rule
after the fall of Lannathai Kingdom from the sixteenth century to eighteenth century.
During the uprising against Burmese rule by Siam's new kings in the late eighteenth century, a Lampang's local leader became Siam's ally. After the victory, the leader was named to be the ruler of Chiangmai, the former center of Lannathai, while his relative ruled Lampang. The city continues to be one of the most important economic and political centers in the north.
Lampang was announced as a province in Thailand in 1892.
The province is subdivided in 13 districts (amphoe
). These are further subdivided into 100 communes (tambon
) and 855 villages (muban
).
To the west of town is Wat Si Rong Mueang (วัดศรีรองเมือง) - a Burmese temple built in 1905 during the time when Lampang was the commercial and forestry centre. Major architectural works include the Viharn made of wood with several overlapping gables in the Burmese style.
Built during the reign of King Rama IV by Burmese, Wat Pa Fang (วัดป่าฝาง) has a large, glittering gold Chedi containing a Holy Relic brought over from Myanmar around 1906. The extensive Sala Kan Parian (preaching hall) is made entirely of wood with Burmese-style overlapping roofs.
Almost across Wat Pa Fang is Wat Chai Mongkhon (วัดไชยมงคล) - notable is the Kuti (monk's living quarters) which is a white cement building with Burmese-style wooden roof. Inside is housed a bronze Buddha statue of fine workmanship cast in Mandalay, Myanmar.
About 5 kilometres from town on the Lampang-Chae Hom road is Wat Chedi Sao Lang (วัดเจดีย์ซาวหลัง) - cool and shaded by large trees, the temple has twenty chedis in its compound, each made in the combined Lanna
-Burmese style. A Chiang Saen
-style bronze Buddha statue is also enshrined here, commonly referred to as "Phra Chao Than Chai" by the local people.
Wat Phra That Mon Phaya Chae (วัดพระธาตุม่อนพระยาแช่) - is situated on a hillside and it affords a clear view of Lampang. Its most outstanding feature is the long stair leading to the chedi enshrining a Holy Relic.
Wat Phra That Sadet (วัดพระธาตุเสด็จ) - one of Lampang's major sites, it is believed to have been built by Queen Chamthevi some 500 years ago.
Kiu Lom Dam (เขื่อนกิ่วลม) is about 38 kilometres from town.
Baan Sao Nak (บ้านเสานัก) is old teak house,lanna style with 116 pillars,more than 105 years.
Thanon Talat Kao or Thanon Talat Chin or Thanon Khon Doen “Kat Kongta” (ถนนตลาดเก่า หรือ ถนนตลาดจีน หรือ ถนนคนเดิน “กาดกองต้า”) is a market next to the pier. In the past, it was a prosperous market. The buildings on both sides of the river bank are a combination of European, Chinese and Burmese architectural styles. Thanon Khon Doen, “Kat Kongta” presents a local lifestyle of the Kat Kongta community.
Wat Phra That Lampang Luang
(วัดพระธาตุลำปางหลวง) - a paradigm of temple building of Lanna. The temple itself is prominently sited on a hillock surrounded by walls. The entrance arches, called Pratu Khong (ประตูโขง), is adorned with fine plaster designs. The wall-less main Viharn houses a bronze Buddha statue called the Phra Chao Lan Thong (พระเจ้าล้านทอง).
Wat Phra That Chom Ping (วัดพระธาตุจอมปิง) - The amazing aspect of this temple is the natural-coloured reflection of the Phrathat passing through the hole of the window and appearing on the floor inside the Phra Ubosot all the time when there is light, both during the day and at night (see Camera obscura
).
Thai Elephants Conservation Centre (ศูนย์อนุรักษ์ช้างไทย) - It is the only facility in the world devoted to the training of elephant
s for timber work using these pachyderms as labourers. There are performances and training demonstrations.
The Khun Than mountain range of the Doi Khun Than National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติดอยขุนตาล) forms a natural boundary between Lamphun and Lampang provinces. The mountain has both virgin jungle and pinery.
Chao Pho Pratu Pha Shrine (ศาลเจ้าพ่อประตูผา) - Legend has it that Chao Pho Pratu Pha was a great warrior of the Lampang ruler. He once fought Burmese invaders to block their advance at Pratu Pha and died fighting with his two swords still in his hands and his body still leaning against the hillside. To honour the brave warrior, the people build the shrine which has since become a sacred and revered place of worship.
Tham Pha Thai National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติถ้ำผาไท) is located between Mueang Lampang and Ngao districts just off the main highway at km.665-666, some 60 kilometres from the provincial town.
Ban Chang Luang (บ้านจ้างหลวง หรือ ศูนย์ศิลปะชุมชนเมืองงาว) is a facility established by Khru Kam-aye Dejduangta (ครูคำอ้าย เดชดวงตา). It has an extensive collection of wood-carvings made by Kru Kam-aye himself and serves as a school to train those intending to become artisans and to provide occupations for the local people.
A major place for relaxation in Lampang is the Chae Son National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติแจ้ซ้อน) which is located in Mueang Pan district area. It features a lush forested and mountainous region with a 73 Celsius hot spring over rocky terrain, providing a misty and picturesque scene, particularly in the morning.
Namtok Wang Kaeo (น้ำตกวังแก้ว) is Lampang's largest waterfall.
Wood-carving (ไม้แกะสลัก) is a major industry at Tambon Na Khrua of Mae Tha district which is about 25 kilometres from the provincial town. Most of the local people make their living by producing wooden figures of animals in various sizes. It has been a cottage industry in this locality for generations.
Terra-cotta or Ceramics (เซรามิก) produced in Lampang are of the best quality in Thailand. The indigenous clay, added by the local craftsmanship, has helped to make Lampang the centre of such products, with scores of factories and shops dealing in this beautiful craft.
Sa Paper (กระดาษสา) is a fine product made from a type of soft wood. The process is purely traditional and the major producing center is the village of Ban Nam Thong. The Sa is mainly made into parasols, lampshades, decorative flowers and other souvenir items.
event around Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao and Wat Phra That Lampang Luang
, featuring Lampang's own historical backgrounds and long-established customs and traditions. A Khrua Than procession is organized with local people dressed in native attires carrying various traditional household appliances, some of which are of ancient vintage.
Khantok Chang Fair (งานขันโตกช้าง หรือ สะโตกช้าง) is organised on the first Friday-Saturday period of February each year at the Thai Elephant conservation Centre. There is an elephant show and the pachyderms are feasted with their popular fruits and vegetables which are placed on the Tok, a traditional food tray of the Lanna people.
Lampang Trains and Horse Carriages Day (งานวันรถไฟรถม้าลำปาง) is organized at the Nakhon Lampang Railway Station at the beginning of April to commemorate the first royal train that arrived to the station 1 April, 1916. In the event, there will be an exhibition and Kat Mua market, where the participants will dress up in the traditional style of costume of some 80 years ago, when the horse carriage was first used in Lampang. The carriage service is also provided in the event.
Salung Luang Procession and Songkran Festival (งานแห่สลุงหลวงและสงกรานต์) is the unique Songkran festival of Lampang, organized during 12-14 April every year. On the 12 April, the Salung Luang procession will be beautifully decorated (Salung means a water bowl and Luang means large). The participants in the parade will dress up in the ancient Lanna style and carry a giant silver bowl around the city to receive lustral water soaked with turmeric and acacia from the people to be poured onto the Phra Kaeo Don Tao, the revered Buddha image of the town enshrined at Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang. Then, during 13-14 April every year, there will be a merit making ceremony at the temple, sand pagoda making, ceremony of pouring water onto the elderly, splashing of water, fairs and various forms of entertainment.
Provinces of Thailand
Thailand is divided into 76 provinces , which are geographically grouped into 6 regions. The capital Bangkok is not a province but a special administrative area and is included as the 77th province since it is administered at the same level as the other 76 provinces. The name of the provinces are...
(changwat) of Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai Province
Chiang Rai is the northernmost province of Thailand. Neighbouring provinces are Phayao, Lampang and Chiang Mai. In the north it borders Shan State of Myanmar and Bokeo of Laos.-Geography:...
, Phayao
Phayao Province
Phayao is one of the northern provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Nan, Phrae, Lampang and Chiang Rai. In the north-east it borders Xaignabouli of Laos.- Geography :...
, Phrae
Phrae Province
Phrae is one of the northern provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Phayao, Nan, Uttaradit, Sukhothai and Lampang.-Geography:Phrae is located in the valley of the river Yom.-History:...
, Sukhothai
Sukhothai Province
Sukhothai is one of the northern provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Phrae, Uttaradit, Phitsanulok, Kamphaeng Phet, Tak, and Lampang...
, Tak
Tak Province
Tak is one of the northern provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani and Kanchanaburi...
, Lamphun
Lamphun Province
Lamphun is one of the northern provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Chiang Mai, Lampang and Tak.-Geography:Lamphun is located in the river valley of the Ping River, surrounded by mountain chains....
and Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai Province
Chiang Mai is the second-largest province of Thailand, located in the north of the country. Neighboring provinces are Chiang Rai, Lampang, Lamphun, Tak, and Mae Hong Son. In the north it borders Shan State of Burma...
. The old name of Lampang is Khelang Nakhon.
Geography
Lampang is located in the broad river valley of the Wang RiverWang River
The Wang River is a river in northern Thailand.-Geography:The Wang River is altogether 335nsnp;km long. Its waters flow from north to south. One of the principal settlements along the river is Lampang, which is situated on the north bank of a curve in the river. From Lampang, the river extends...
, surrounded by mountain chains. In the Mae Mo district
Amphoe Mae Mo
Mae Mo is a district in the eastern part of Lampang Province, northern Thailand.-Geography:Neighboring districts are : Mae Tha, Mueang Lampang, Chae Hom and Ngao of Lampang Province, Song and Long of Phrae Province....
lignite
Lignite
Lignite, often referred to as brown coal, or Rosebud coal by Northern Pacific Railroad,is a soft brown fuel with characteristics that put it somewhere between coal and peat...
is found and mined in open pits. To the north of the province is the 1697 m high Doi Luang.
Within the province are the national parks Tham Pha Thai, Chae Son, Doi Khun Than, as well as the Huay Tak Teak Biosphere Reserve.
Economy
Lampang is famous for the production of ceramic goods and its mining operations. A great deal of ball clayBall clay
Ball clays are kaolinitic sedimentary clays, that commonly consist of 20-80% kaolinite, 10-25% mica, 6-65% quartz. Localized seams in the same deposit have variations in composition, including the quantity of the major minerals, accessory minerals and carbonaceous materials such as lignite...
, china stone
China stone
China stone is a medium grained, feldspar-rich partially decomposed granite characterized by the absence of iron-bearing minerals. Its mineral content includes quartz, feldspar and mica; accessory minerals include kaolinite and fluorspar...
, and lignite
Lignite
Lignite, often referred to as brown coal, or Rosebud coal by Northern Pacific Railroad,is a soft brown fuel with characteristics that put it somewhere between coal and peat...
are extracted from the surrounding mountains.
There are more than 200 ceramic factories in and around Mueang Lampang district
Amphoe Mueang Lampang
Mueang Lampang is the capital district of Lampang Province, northern Thailand.-Geography:Neighboring districts are : Mueang Pan, Chae Hom, Mae Mo, Mae Tha, Ko Kha and Hang Chat of Lampang Province, Mae Tha of Lamphun Province, and Mae On of Chiang Mai Province.-Administration:The district is...
. 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
Amphoe Mae Mo
Mae Mo is a district in the eastern part of Lampang Province, northern Thailand.-Geography:Neighboring districts are : Mae Tha, Mueang Lampang, Chae Hom and Ngao of Lampang Province, Song and Long of Phrae Province....
near the lignite
Lignite
Lignite, often referred to as brown coal, or Rosebud coal by Northern Pacific Railroad,is a soft brown fuel with characteristics that put it somewhere between coal and peat...
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 lignite. Limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
is another abundant rock mined in Lampang.
The agricultural products that this province is famous for, are rice and pineapples.
History
Starting in the 7th century Lampang was part of the Dvaravati period HaripunchaiHaripunchai
Hariphunchai was a Mon kingdom in the north of present Thailand in the centuries before the Thais moved into the area. Its capital was at Lamphun, which at the time was also called Hariphunchai...
kingdom of the Mon. In the 11th century the Khmer empire
Khmer Empire
The Khmer Empire was one of the most powerful empires in Southeast Asia. The empire, which grew out of the former kingdom of Chenla, at times ruled over and/or vassalized parts of modern-day Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Burma, and Malaysia. Its greatest legacy is Angkor, the site of the capital city...
occupied the Lampang area, but it was King Mengrai
Mengrai
King Mangrai was the 25th King of Ngoen Yang and the first King of Chiang Mai , capital of the Lanna Kingdom .-Early years:...
of Lannathai who incorporated the complete Haripunchai kingdom into his kingdom in 1292. Lampang or Nakhon Lampang or Lakhon, was under the Burmese rule
after the fall of Lannathai Kingdom from the sixteenth century to eighteenth century.
During the uprising against Burmese rule by Siam's new kings in the late eighteenth century, a Lampang's local leader became Siam's ally. After the victory, the leader was named to be the ruler of Chiangmai, the former center of Lannathai, while his relative ruled Lampang. The city continues to be one of the most important economic and political centers in the north.
Lampang was announced as a province in Thailand in 1892.
Symbols
| The provincial seal Seals of The Provinces of Thailand -Present-day provinces of Thailand:This list includes all the seals of the Provinces of Thailand. It also includes the special administrative area of the capital, Bangkok.-Former Provinces:-External links:*... shows a white rooster inside the entrance to the Phra That Lampang Luang temple Wat Phra That Lampang Luang Wat Pra That Lampang Luang is a Lanna-style Buddhist temple in Lampang in Lampang Province, Thailand.-Etymology:The first element, prathat, means Buddha relic . The second element, Lampang, is the name of a location in Thailand. the third element, luang, means great... . According to local legend, Buddha Gautama Buddha Siddhārtha Gautama was a spiritual teacher from the Indian subcontinent, on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. In most Buddhist traditions, he is regarded as the Supreme Buddha Siddhārtha Gautama (Sanskrit: सिद्धार्थ गौतम; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual teacher from the Indian... visited the province in his lifetime. The god Indra Indra ' or is the King of the demi-gods or Devas and Lord of Heaven or Svargaloka in Hindu mythology. He is also the God of War, Storms, and Rainfall.Indra is one of the chief deities in the Rigveda... worried that the people would not get up by themselves to show respect to Buddha, and therefore woke them by transforming himself into a white rooster. The provincial flower is the Heliconia Heliconia Heliconia, derived from the Greek word helikonios, is a genus of about 100 to 200 species of flowering plants native to the tropical Americas and the Pacific Ocean islands west to Indonesia. Many species of Heliconia are found in rainforests or tropical wet forests of these regions... (Heliconia sp.), and the provincial tree is the Indian Elm (Holoptelea integrifolia). According to the legend, this tree was planted in the temple during Buddha's visit. |
Administrative divisions
Amphoe
An amphoe is the second level administrative subdivision of Thailand. Usually translated as district, amphoe make up the provinces, and are analogous to a county seat...
). These are further subdivided into 100 communes (tambon
Tambon
Tambon is a local government unit in Thailand. Below district and province , they form the third administrative subdivision level. As of the 2009 there are 7255 tambon, not including the 169 khwaeng of Bangkok, which are set at the same administrative level, thus every district contains 8-10 tambon...
) and 855 villages (muban
Muban
Muban is the lowest administrative subdivision of Thailand. Usually translated as village, they are the subdivision of tambon. As of 2008, there are 74944 administrative villages in Thailand. As of the 1990 census, the average village consisted of 144 households or 746 persons.A muban does not...
).
|
|
Sights
Kaeo Don Tao (วัดพระแก้วดอนเต้า) - it used to be the place where the Emerald Buddha was once enshrined (the same statue now installed in Bangkok). Interesting structures include the large Chedi containing the hair of the Lord Buddha, a Burmese-style Mondop, an ancient Viharn and a museum exhibiting ancient relics of the Lanna era.To the west of town is Wat Si Rong Mueang (วัดศรีรองเมือง) - a Burmese temple built in 1905 during the time when Lampang was the commercial and forestry centre. Major architectural works include the Viharn made of wood with several overlapping gables in the Burmese style.
Built during the reign of King Rama IV by Burmese, Wat Pa Fang (วัดป่าฝาง) has a large, glittering gold Chedi containing a Holy Relic brought over from Myanmar around 1906. The extensive Sala Kan Parian (preaching hall) is made entirely of wood with Burmese-style overlapping roofs.
Almost across Wat Pa Fang is Wat Chai Mongkhon (วัดไชยมงคล) - notable is the Kuti (monk's living quarters) which is a white cement building with Burmese-style wooden roof. Inside is housed a bronze Buddha statue of fine workmanship cast in Mandalay, Myanmar.
About 5 kilometres from town on the Lampang-Chae Hom road is Wat Chedi Sao Lang (วัดเจดีย์ซาวหลัง) - cool and shaded by large trees, the temple has twenty chedis in its compound, each made in the combined Lanna
Lanna
The Kingdom of Lanna was a kingdom centered in present-day northern Thailand from the 13th to 18th centuries. The cultural development of the people of Lanna, the Tai Yuan people, had begun long before as successive Tai Yuan kingdoms preceded Lanna...
-Burmese style. A Chiang Saen
Chiang Saen
* Amphoe Chiang Saen, a district in modern Chiang Rai Province* Chiang Saen, a capital in the ancient Lanna kingdom, and the namesake of the modern district...
-style bronze Buddha statue is also enshrined here, commonly referred to as "Phra Chao Than Chai" by the local people.
Wat Phra That Mon Phaya Chae (วัดพระธาตุม่อนพระยาแช่) - is situated on a hillside and it affords a clear view of Lampang. Its most outstanding feature is the long stair leading to the chedi enshrining a Holy Relic.
Wat Phra That Sadet (วัดพระธาตุเสด็จ) - one of Lampang's major sites, it is believed to have been built by Queen Chamthevi some 500 years ago.
Kiu Lom Dam (เขื่อนกิ่วลม) is about 38 kilometres from town.
Baan Sao Nak (บ้านเสานัก) is old teak house,lanna style with 116 pillars,more than 105 years.
Thanon Talat Kao or Thanon Talat Chin or Thanon Khon Doen “Kat Kongta” (ถนนตลาดเก่า หรือ ถนนตลาดจีน หรือ ถนนคนเดิน “กาดกองต้า”) is a market next to the pier. In the past, it was a prosperous market. The buildings on both sides of the river bank are a combination of European, Chinese and Burmese architectural styles. Thanon Khon Doen, “Kat Kongta” presents a local lifestyle of the Kat Kongta community.
Wat Phra That Lampang Luang
Wat Phra That Lampang Luang
Wat Pra That Lampang Luang is a Lanna-style Buddhist temple in Lampang in Lampang Province, Thailand.-Etymology:The first element, prathat, means Buddha relic . The second element, Lampang, is the name of a location in Thailand. the third element, luang, means great...
(วัดพระธาตุลำปางหลวง) - a paradigm of temple building of Lanna. The temple itself is prominently sited on a hillock surrounded by walls. The entrance arches, called Pratu Khong (ประตูโขง), is adorned with fine plaster designs. The wall-less main Viharn houses a bronze Buddha statue called the Phra Chao Lan Thong (พระเจ้าล้านทอง).
Wat Phra That Chom Ping (วัดพระธาตุจอมปิง) - The amazing aspect of this temple is the natural-coloured reflection of the Phrathat passing through the hole of the window and appearing on the floor inside the Phra Ubosot all the time when there is light, both during the day and at night (see Camera obscura
Camera obscura
The camera obscura is an optical device that projects an image of its surroundings on a screen. It is used in drawing and for entertainment, and was one of the inventions that led to photography. The device consists of a box or room with a hole in one side...
).
Thai Elephants Conservation Centre (ศูนย์อนุรักษ์ช้างไทย) - It is the only facility in the world devoted to the training of elephant
Elephant
Elephants are large land mammals in two extant genera of the family Elephantidae: Elephas and Loxodonta, with the third genus Mammuthus extinct...
s for timber work using these pachyderms as labourers. There are performances and training demonstrations.
The Khun Than mountain range of the Doi Khun Than National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติดอยขุนตาล) forms a natural boundary between Lamphun and Lampang provinces. The mountain has both virgin jungle and pinery.
Chao Pho Pratu Pha Shrine (ศาลเจ้าพ่อประตูผา) - Legend has it that Chao Pho Pratu Pha was a great warrior of the Lampang ruler. He once fought Burmese invaders to block their advance at Pratu Pha and died fighting with his two swords still in his hands and his body still leaning against the hillside. To honour the brave warrior, the people build the shrine which has since become a sacred and revered place of worship.
Tham Pha Thai National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติถ้ำผาไท) is located between Mueang Lampang and Ngao districts just off the main highway at km.665-666, some 60 kilometres from the provincial town.
Ban Chang Luang (บ้านจ้างหลวง หรือ ศูนย์ศิลปะชุมชนเมืองงาว) is a facility established by Khru Kam-aye Dejduangta (ครูคำอ้าย เดชดวงตา). It has an extensive collection of wood-carvings made by Kru Kam-aye himself and serves as a school to train those intending to become artisans and to provide occupations for the local people.
A major place for relaxation in Lampang is the Chae Son National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติแจ้ซ้อน) which is located in Mueang Pan district area. It features a lush forested and mountainous region with a 73 Celsius hot spring over rocky terrain, providing a misty and picturesque scene, particularly in the morning.
Namtok Wang Kaeo (น้ำตกวังแก้ว) is Lampang's largest waterfall.
Local Products
Hand-made Cotton (ผ้าทอมือ) comes in different patterns designed by different villages.Wood-carving (ไม้แกะสลัก) is a major industry at Tambon Na Khrua of Mae Tha district which is about 25 kilometres from the provincial town. Most of the local people make their living by producing wooden figures of animals in various sizes. It has been a cottage industry in this locality for generations.
Terra-cotta or Ceramics (เซรามิก) produced in Lampang are of the best quality in Thailand. The indigenous clay, added by the local craftsmanship, has helped to make Lampang the centre of such products, with scores of factories and shops dealing in this beautiful craft.
Sa Paper (กระดาษสา) is a fine product made from a type of soft wood. The process is purely traditional and the major producing center is the village of Ban Nam Thong. The Sa is mainly made into parasols, lampshades, decorative flowers and other souvenir items.
Festivals
Luang Wiang Lakhon Fair (งานหลวงเวียงละคอน) is held just prior to the annual Loi KrathongLoy Krathong
Loi Krathong is a festival celebrated annually throughout Thailand and certain parts of Laos and Burma .-Overview:...
event around Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao and Wat Phra That Lampang Luang
Wat Phra That Lampang Luang
Wat Pra That Lampang Luang is a Lanna-style Buddhist temple in Lampang in Lampang Province, Thailand.-Etymology:The first element, prathat, means Buddha relic . The second element, Lampang, is the name of a location in Thailand. the third element, luang, means great...
, featuring Lampang's own historical backgrounds and long-established customs and traditions. A Khrua Than procession is organized with local people dressed in native attires carrying various traditional household appliances, some of which are of ancient vintage.
Khantok Chang Fair (งานขันโตกช้าง หรือ สะโตกช้าง) is organised on the first Friday-Saturday period of February each year at the Thai Elephant conservation Centre. There is an elephant show and the pachyderms are feasted with their popular fruits and vegetables which are placed on the Tok, a traditional food tray of the Lanna people.
Lampang Trains and Horse Carriages Day (งานวันรถไฟรถม้าลำปาง) is organized at the Nakhon Lampang Railway Station at the beginning of April to commemorate the first royal train that arrived to the station 1 April, 1916. In the event, there will be an exhibition and Kat Mua market, where the participants will dress up in the traditional style of costume of some 80 years ago, when the horse carriage was first used in Lampang. The carriage service is also provided in the event.
Salung Luang Procession and Songkran Festival (งานแห่สลุงหลวงและสงกรานต์) is the unique Songkran festival of Lampang, organized during 12-14 April every year. On the 12 April, the Salung Luang procession will be beautifully decorated (Salung means a water bowl and Luang means large). The participants in the parade will dress up in the ancient Lanna style and carry a giant silver bowl around the city to receive lustral water soaked with turmeric and acacia from the people to be poured onto the Phra Kaeo Don Tao, the revered Buddha image of the town enshrined at Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang. Then, during 13-14 April every year, there will be a merit making ceremony at the temple, sand pagoda making, ceremony of pouring water onto the elderly, splashing of water, fairs and various forms of entertainment.