Relax at in Thailand

Lamphun Province This small province is situated to the south east of Chiang Mai. The province is mainly dominated by the town of Lamphun, once the capital of the Haripunchai kingdom (660-1281 A.D.) and one of the oldest preserved towns in Thailand.
The city was originally ruled by the Mon princess, Chama Devi, who was the founder of the Haripunchai kingdom. Even though the Dvaravati kingdom dwindled from existence at the surge of the Khmers by the 12th Century, Lamphun managed to retain the independence of the Mon culture until the late 13th century.In 1281, King Mengrai, head of the Lanna Thai Kingdom succeeded in capturing the city, thus putting an end to the Chama Devi dynasty and the last vestige of the Mon culture.

Places of Attraction

Wat Phrathat Haripunchai
This temple was built on the site of Queen Chama Thevi's palace in 1044. The compound contains an assortment of structures built in various styles. The 50m tall chedi is topped with a nine-tiered, pure gold umbrella tier, weighing 6.5kg. The main viharn houses many Buddha images, all in the attitude of subduing Mara. Also in the compound, housed in a pavilion, is the world's largest bronze gong.

Wat Chama Thevi
Lying just 1.5 km west of town, along Chama Devi Rd, this temple is more popularly known as Wat Kukut and was built in 775 AD by the Mon people. The chedi was constructed with a rare stepped-pyramid style base, five squared layers with niches containing Buddha images. Each of the Dvaravati style images are in the standing posture and in an attitude of dispelling fear. The top of the chedi was once encased in gold, but was later removed, giving to the name Wat Kukut (Temple without roof). The ashes of Queen Chama Thevi, the founder of the Haripunchai Kingdom, are enshrined in the chedi.

Lamphun National Museum
Located just across the street from Wat Phra That Haripunchai. The museum contains a small display of artefacts from the Dvaravati, Haripunchai and Lanna kingdoms, as well as various Buddha images.