ChiagnMai Travel Corner.com

Lamphun is a town (thesaban mueang) in northern Thailand. It covers the whole tambon Nai Mueang of Mueang Lamphun district....

Under its old name of Haripunchai, Lamphun was the northern most city of the Mon kingdom of the Dvaravati period, and also the last to fall to the Thai. In the late 12th century it came under siege from the Khmer, but did not fall. However in 1281 King Mengrai of Lannathai finally seized the city, and made it part of his kingdom. After Burmese expansion in the sixteenth century, Lamphun was also under Burmese rule for two centuries. In the eighteenth century, with the rise of Thonburi and Bangkok against Burmese rule, local leaders from Lampang agreed to be their allies. Lamphun was finally free from the Burmese and ruled by relative of Lampang's leader, gaining vassal status from Bangkok. Eventually after the administrative reform of Bangkok government in late nineteenth century, Lamphun became a part, as a province, of Siam or late Kingdom of Thailand.

Attraction

• Wat Phra That Hariphunchai, a principal landmark is the 46-metre tall golden Chedi whose present appearance was the result of the restoration work in 1443 by a king of Chiang Mai. Other architectural works include the ancient-style brick arch adorned with fine designs and the pair of sculptured lions at the door.
• Hariphunchai National Museum, across the road from Wat Phra That Hariphunchai. Displays and exhibits include historical development and archaeological items found in Lamphun. Another displays ancient utensils, Lanna indigenous arts and carvings.
• Phra Nang Chamthewi Statue is located in the Nong Dok public park in town commemorating the first ruler of Hariphunchai.
• Suthewa Ruesi - Legend has it that the Rusi, or ascetic, was the actual founder of Hariphunchai. As an ascetic refraining from worldly affairs he invited Phra Nang Chamthevi, a daughter of the King of Lopburi, to ascend the throne and helped her to firmly establish Buddhism in the land.
• Wat Chamthewi or Wat Ku Kut, commonly referred to a Ku Kut, built in the Lawo (Lopburi) style. The Chedi is a square structure similar to Buddhagaya in India. Ashes of the queen are enshrined within the Chedi.
  

Related link

• Lumphun - Lumpang Tour