Lampang
Lampang lies on the broad plain of the Menam Wang surrounded by the jungle and mountain scenery typical of northern Thailand. The provincial capital - it still feels like a township rather than a city - has grown in importance with the progress made
in its economy in recent years. This is dominated by agriculture, and the fertile plain around Lampang is given over to great fields of rice, Maimaize and cotton.
By car: Highway 1 from Tak (158 km (98 mi.)), or from Chiang Mai/
Lamphun (92 km (57 mi.)); Highway 11 from Chiang Mai, through fascinating scenery. Distance from Bangkok: 600 km (373 mi).
By rail: station on the Bangkok-Chiang Mai line (from Bangkok 642 km (399 mi.), about 13 hours).
By bus: five times a day from Northern Bus Terminal in Bangkok. Buses also run from the Chiang Mai Arcade station (21/2 hours).
By air: twice a week from Bangkok and Phitsanulok.
The Lampang principality was founded by the Mon around the 7th c. and initially belonged to the Haripunchai kingdom before being annexed into the Khmer empire in the 11th c. King Mengrai finally brought Lampang into the Lan Na kingdom before it was seized in the 16th c. by the Burmese, who had already captured Chiang Mai and Lamphun. Clear signs of their occupation can still be seen today.
Apart from an octagonal tower which was part of the fortifications, nothing is left of the old city of Lampang. In order to get an idea of the original appearance of the famous Ho Kham, the gilded hall that was the governor's residence, it would be necessary to go to the Ancient City at Samut Prakan and see the replica of it there. Some recent finds indicate that the earth still holds many secrets. One particularly interesting discovery was a number of stone reliefs in the Dvaravati style. These give some indication of the artistic quality of the buildings, but most of what can be seen in Lampang today dates from after the conquest by the Burmese, and their style has left its mark on all sides.
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