According to ancient chronicles the town of Lampang was founded by a hermit near the end of the 7th century. Lampang was an important town in the Mon Hariphunchai Kingdom. Its first King was one of the sons of Queen Chama Thewi, founder of Hariphunchai. The town was surrounded by moats and defensive city walls and a number of forts, called wiang.
In the 11th century the Khmer from Angkor invaded the area and brought it under the control of their empire. In 1296 King Mengrai, ruler of the Lanna Kingdom conquered Lampang and brought it into Lanna. The Lampang area was under the control of the Burmese for over two centuries until the end of the 18th century when a local man assassinated the Burmese ruler and freed Lampang from occupation. During the late 19th and early 20th century the area was a center of the teak logging industry.
To do & see in Lampang
A town with a long history, Lampang houses a great number of historic monuments from several eras.
Ban Sao Nak
Ban Sao Nak translates to “House of many pillars”. Built in 1895 as a mansion for a wealthy Burmese family, Ban Sao Nak has been turned into a privately owned museum. Ban Sao Nak comprises of a Lanna and Burmese style main building and several smaller structures, standing on 116 large teak pillars. The museum has the feel of a late 19th century private residence with the original Thai and Burmese furniture and antiques still in place. Ban Sao Nak is found on Rat Watthana road in the old part of town North of the Wang river. The museum opens daily from 10 am until 5 pm, admission is 50 Thai Baht per person.
Horse carriage ride
Lampang, also known as “Muang rot ma”, which translates to “horse carriage town” is the last place in Thailand where horse carriages are still in use. The horse carriages or “Rot ma” in Thai are a remnant of the early 20th century, when Burmese laborers came over to work in the teak logging business and brought their own carriages. The carriages with driver can be hired for tours around the town. Tours from 15 minutes to one hour cost between 150 to 300 Baht.
Horse carriage in Lampang