Transportation and Communication

Land Transportation Lamphun has convenient access to several provinces
By Automobile
1. To Chiang Mai via National Highway No. 11, 33 km. (Lampang-Chiang Mai Super Highway) and Highway
106, 26 km.
2. To Lampang via National Highway No. 11, 70 km., and further to Payao and Chiang Rai by Highway 1.
3. To Chiang Rai via Chiang Mai by Highway 1019, 210 km.
4. To Phrae and Nan via National Highway No. 11 through Lampang and further to Denchai District and turn
onto Highway 101 to Phrae and Nan respectively.

Traveling between Lamphun and other Districts

By Automobile

1. From Mueang Lamphun District along Highway 106 southward about 11 km. to Pa Sang and 29 km. farther
to Ban Hong and 65 km. farther to Li which has access to Thoen District of Lampang within approximately
45 km. farther.
2. From Mueang Lamphun District along Highway 106 southward past Pa Sang. About 19 km. from Pa Sang
there is a turn into Highway 1184 (Mae Ao – Thung Hua Chang ) which goes 75 km. further to reach
Thung Hua Chang District.
3. From Mueang Lamphun District along Highway 11, southward for about 25 km. is Mae Tha District. Farther
north from there by Highway 1147 is Ban Thi District, 26 km. farther.
4. From Mueang Lamphun District on Highway 106 southward to Pa Sang at San Hang Suea Intersection
entering Highway 1031 about 45 km. farther is Wiang Nong Long District.

By Rail:

There are a number of trains going through Lamphun. These are 6 freight trains and 16 passenger trains. Most of them stop at Lamphun Railway Station for passengers. The total length of 68 km. rails passes 6 stations of Lamphun, namely Pa Sao, Lamphun, Nong Lom, Sala Mae Tha, Tha Chomphu and Khun Tan. Lammphun is approximately 729 km. from Bangkok by rail.

By Airplane:

The Bangkok – Chiang Mai plane takes approximately 45 minutes, and from Chiang Mai Airport to Lamphun by car takes about 30 minutes.

Postal Service:

There are 9 post offices in Lamphun: Lamphun, U – mong, Pa Sang, Tha Kat, Ban Thi, Mae Tha, Ban Hong, Li and Thung Hua Chang. There are also 15 telecommunications and private postal services available for international telephone, fax, portable telephone, special radio signal station, telex, local and international circuit rental, mobile phone of Amph system 800 Band A, telegram and Thaipack. Post boxes are available at the post offices, along with roads and in some communities. Services are available everyday except official holidays. Delivery complies to the standard quality of the Mass Communications Organization of Thailand.
There are 2 telephone offices of the Telephone Organization and 1 of TT & T. the Telephone Organization of Thailand provides services at
1. Lamphun Telephone Services Office serving 6 routes: Lamphun, U – Mong, the Northern Industrial
Estate, Mae Tha, Ban Thi and Pa Sak.
2. Pa Sang Telephone Service Office serving 7 routes: Pa Sang, Li, Ban Hong, Thung Hua Chang, Ban
Puang, Ban Ruean, and Nong Pla Sawai. In 2002, there were 46,158 numbers, of which 21,278 were
serviced by TOT and 27,295 by TT & T. 45,176 numbers are currently in service, of which 17, 781 are
serviced by TOT and 27, 395 by TT & T. Public telephone and long distance services are operated by
TOT with 599 numbers are in service. Long distance public telephone provided by TOT are also in
service with 650 numbers altogether. Public card phone services are also available with 143 numbers.
The service averaged at 100 persons for every 12.10 numbers.

Electricity:

Electricity has been supplied or purchased from the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand from Mae Moh Plant in Lampang and Mae Ngat hydraulic plant in Chiang Mai. The supply covers 7 districts and one sub-district. At present, only six villages do not yet have electricity. The three Lamphun Sub-stations are:
• Lamphun Electricity Station 1 at Ban Pa Sao on the old Lamphun – Chiang Mai Road.
• Lamphun Electricity Station 2 at Tambon U – Mong on the Chiang Mai – Lamphun Super Highway.
• Lamphun Electricity Station 3 in the premises of the Industrial Park of Sahapattana Inter Holding Co. Ltd.
, on the new Lamphun – Pa Sang Road. In 2002, about 109,652 households out of 123,923, or 88.48%
were clients. EGAT hopes to accommodate the electricity demand, which has been on the rise. It has a plan to improve the distribution system within the city boundary for efficiency and stability.

Water:

Lamphun Waterworks has a production capacity of 460 m3/hr. The water supply comes from underground water and water from the Mae Tha – Sop Sao Reservoir. The three water supply stations are:
1. Lamphun Station uses underground water having a capacity of 320 m3/hour
2. Sob Sao Station uses water from the Mae Tha – Sop Sao Reservoir and has a capacity of 60 m3/hr.
3. Pa Sang Station uses underground water and has a capacity of 80 m3/hr. In 2002, there were 7,119
water users at a volume of 160,735 m3. The amount of distribution was 125,695 m3. The Waterworks
office is in the process of expanding its service and production capacity to accommodate the community
expansion and to solve the water shortage problems due to drought.

Agricultural products:

Longans are mostly grown in Pa Sang, Li and Ban Hong; garlic is mostly grown in Li, Pa Sang and Ban Hong; shallots are grown in Ban Hong, Li and Pa Sang; vegetables are grown in the Mueang and Ban Hong Districts. Lamphun is a major vegetable producing area in the north. Part of the products are supplied to food processing factories and the rest are sold in Chiang Mai, Lampang, Bangkok, Nakhon Sawan, etc.

Handicrafts:

Hand-woven cotton is produced in all districts as a supplementary profession when free from farming. A well-known production place is in Pa Sang in Ban Nong-Ngueak, Mu 5, Tambon Mae Raeng. The cotton cloth can be made into tube skirts and other types of ready-made clothes as well as some kinds of home accessories like tablecloths, place mats and coaster. The major markets are Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Lamphun is also famous as the home of silk weaving of a unique design known as “Yok dok” (raised flower pattern), especially at Pensiri Silk Factory. The factory has preserved and modified old patterns using skilled craftsmen. Woodcarving is another popular product in Mae Tha District, mostly made from memosa wood carved into human and animal figures and made into home utensils and decorative items. There are a few ceramics factories in Lamphun as well. Their products are sold locally and are exported bringing in a lager sum of revenue. Most are household items and ornaments with ancient designs well-liked by foreign customers.

Industrial Products:

These are produced in the Northern Industrial Estate and the Private Industrial Park of Sahapattana Inter Holding Limited (Public) Company. They are mainly electronic parts, food and beverages, agricultural processed products, jewelry and gems, leather goods and ready-made clothes.

Historical Background

The present day Lamphun Province was originally known as Haripunchai, an ancient city 1,343 years old. According to the Yonok Chronicle, Haripunchai was founded by a holy man named Wasuthep, who recruited the Mon ethnic groups to work on the construction. The city was located in the space between two rivers, Mae Kwuang and Mae Ping. The first ruler of Lamphun was Queen Cham Thewi, a daughter of the King of Lawo. The last king of the lineage was Phraya Yiba, who lost the city to King Mengrai the Great of the Lan Na Kingdom. Since then, the influence of Lamphun art and culture has been apparent throughout the kingdom especially in Wiang Kum Kam, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Lamphun was incorporated into the Thai Kingdom during the reign of King Taksin the Great. Ever since then, Lamphun was ruled by city rulers until 1922 when the last ruler, Major General Prince Chakkham Khachonsak passed away. Later, Lamphun was changed to a province ruled by a governor, which has continued to the present.

The “Haripunchai Ancient City” was the oldest and most prosperous city in the north. Its history can be divided into 5 periods: Prehistoric, Early Historic, Lan Na, Early Rattanakosin and Reformation periods.

The Prehistoric Period: Approximately 2,000 – 3,000 years ago. Archeological evidence of the period includes Ban Wanghai ancient community on the east of the Mae Kwuang River, Tambon Wiangyong, Lamphun District. The indigenous ethnic group lived there long before the new cultural influence arrived and mingled with it.

Early Prehistoric Period: From the13th – 19th Centuries B.E. The Haripunchai kingdom was established with the influence of the Thevaradi culture of the central plains along the Chao Phraya River. It prospered in terms of religion, art, culture and economy in particular. Its kings were attentive to patronize Buddhism. Its first king or ruler was Queen Cham Thewi.

The Lanna Period: From the 19th – 21st Centuries B.E. During the reign of King Mengrai, the Central Administration was shifted to Chiang Mai whereas Haripunchai became a religious center. Therefore, Buddhism was well established and continued to prosper in the area.

Early Rattanakosin Period: From the 24th – 25th Century B.E. A series of wars with Burma and Lan Na took place. People had to flee into the jungles deserting the city until King Kawila of Chiang Mai appointed his younger brother, Phraya Burirat (Khamfan) to be the ruler of Lamphun and recruited the Yong ethnic people to settle along the Mae Kwuang, Mae Ping and Mae Tha Rivers. The Yong brought with them a unique culture, art and craftsmen. It was a peaceful period.

Reformation Period: A great reformation took place with the abolishment of the city ruler system and the appointment of a governor by the Siam government. Several neighboring towns were combined into the province. The northern railway was constructed.

Topography

Location: Lamphun Province is located in the northern part of Thailand. It can be reached by National Highway No. 11 (The Asian Highway), 689 km. long ; Phahonyothin Road, 724 km. long, and a railway 729 km. long. It is situated at 18O N Latitude and 99O E Longitude and belongs to the upper northern provinces. Lamphun is only 22 Km. from Chiang Mai. The area has great potential for development into a center of progress in the upper north and the Sub-Mekong Region, or the Economic Quadrangle, along with Chiang Mai.

Size: Lamphun is the smallest province in the north with an area of approximately 4,505,882 km2. or approximately 2,815,675 rai or 4.85% of the whole upper northern region. The widest part is 43 km., its length from north – south is 136 km.

Borders:

The North borders on Saraphi and Sankamphaeng of Chiang Mai.
The South borders on Thoen of Lampang and Sam Ngao of Tak.
The East borders on Hang Chat, Sop Prap and Soem Ngam of Lampang.
The West borders on Hod Chomthong, Hang Dong and San Patong of Chiang Mai.

Festivals

The most recent one is the local Wine and Sausage Tasting Festival a result of making wine from longans which goes well with the local spicy sausages. Sipping the unique local longan wine of U – Mong Village while enjoying the beauty of the Ping Hang Riverbank can be another memorable experience. The festival is held on 17 – 19 January from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Cultural Center, Tambon U – Mong, Lamphun Province. Other attractions are local performances and games, a flower float procession, a musical and drum-beating band, booths of wine tasting and sausage sampling, an evening market, a crouching market, folk music, a cock judging contest and good quality wine making demonstration from Chiang Mai University.

The Hand-woven Cotton Fabric Festival. Lamphun is famous for its cotton weaving and unique design handed down from the royal court. The festival theme is “Roaming the roofed bridge,, wearing woven clothing and viewing Lamphun’s priceless artifacts.” The festival is held on January 30 – February 3 around the bridge opposite Wat Phra That Haripunchai. There is a performance of “Paying homage to the Haripunchai Temple”, a fashion show of clothes made with a raised flower pattern by Pensiri Thai Silk and an exhibition of traditional woven fabric of various patterns at Wat Tonkaeo Museum and a demonstration of Lamphun’s art of weaving as well as a cotton weaving beauty contest along with a hand-made fabric sale.

The Lanna Drum Festival is another recommended occasion during the pilgrimage season to worship the Lord Buddha’s footprint at Wat Phrabat Takpha in Pa Sang District. The festival was first established in 2001. It consists of the northern Fon Lep (fingernail dance), a procession of a giant silver bowl, drums and drum beating for entering battle, joining a royal procession or for entertainment. The procession starts from the temple entrance to the chapel to take the holy water to wash the Lord Buddha’s footprint. A drum beating contest and other forms of entertainment are arranged.

The Songkran Festival is the most famous festival in the northern region. It’s the time when the people all over the country visit the north. Songkran in Lamphun is as attractive as other places in the region. It is held annually from 13 – 15 of April around Tha Kham Bridge and Lamphun Municipal complex. Beginning with merit making of food offering to the monks in the morning and bathing the Buddha images, in the afternoon, people enjoy the procession starting from Chakkham Khanathon School to Thakham Bridge, and in the evening there is a lantern floating competition along with other cultural performances and exhibitions such as folk music and classical dances of the Yong ethnic people as well as a Miss Songkran Beauty Contest.

The Buddha Image Bathing of Haripunchai Temple is an old tradition held on the full moon day of the sixth lunar month (May). Thai and foreign visitors join the festival. The King grants some royal bathing water and relevant paraphernalia for the rite. The province adds to it with the holy lustrous water from Doi Kha Mo. A cultural exhibition is held for several days. During the day there is a victory drum beating contest, at night there is a Fon Lep contest.

The Longan Festival. Besides being a major garlic and onion producer of the country, Lamphun is also famous for longans, which give the highest yield every year. The Longan Festival aims at promoting longan products to visitors as well as raising income for longan growers. The festival is held around July or early August at the Main Sports Stadium of Lamphun. A technical exhibition is included for farmers to keep up with new, improved technology and knowledge related to longan production and processing. There are contests of quality longans and a Miss Longan Beauty Contest. Visitors have a chance to sample and buy quality products at bargain prices.



The Queen Chamathewi and the Red Cross Winter Fair of Lamphun takes place every year around the end of November to early December (November 29 – December 8 for this year) at the main Sports Stadium. All kinds of entertainment is arranged. The private and government sectors join in setting up booths selling arts and crafts and other products. Cultural performances are also presented.

The Amazing Karen Festival was first held in 1997 aiming at preserving the culture and traditions of the Karen tribal people and promoting tourism at Ban Phrabat Huay Tom. The ethnic Karen consists of two tribes: the Pho Karen and the Sako Karen. They observe Buddhism and are generally vegetarians. They make a living from farming and silversmith handicrafts. The occasion is held on the last week of December. Information can be obtained from the Tribal Development Center, Tel. 0-5353-7707. Visitors can enjoy visiting the ancient bicycle riding, tribal style boxing, buffalo horn blowing and shop for silver ornaments and Karen woven cotton.

Pa Sang Heritage Festival, which visitors should not miss, is intended to revive the glorious past of Pa Sang, which once was a lively town and center of Lamphun’s hand woven cotton. The modern communication rout has taken Pa Sang out of the tourist’s focus. However, the community still continues making hand woven cotton and quilt blankets but for selling wholesale. The festival takes place around December at Pa Sang Handicraft Exhibition Center. To inquire about the exact dates, call 0-5352-1007. Products such as hand made cotton, quilt blankets and other handicrafts as well as food and wine can be bought and viewed at the festival along with other shows and contests.