Trip to Lampang for the Countdown Festival
The destination for my new years countdown event this year was in Lampang in Northern Thailand. The Tourism Authority of Thailand had organized Countdown events in five regions of Thailand (see here). These were in Lampang (North), Sakon Nakhon (Northeast), Rayong (East), Phuket (South) and Kanchanaburi (West). I wasn’t in Lampang for very long, but it was enough to see the highlights. It is certainly a city that I would like to return to and explore at a more leisurely pace. And a good way to do that is on a pony and cart tour. The following photos were tweeted live during my trip.
Good afternoon from Suvarnabhumi Airport. I’m flying up to Lampang in Northern Thailand for tonight’s New Year Countdown #Thailand pic.twitter.com/CsGl4ulknV
— Richard Barrow in Thailand (@RichardBarrow) December 31, 2017
Boarding Bangkok Airways PG207 from Bangkok to Lampang. Flight time in this small propeller plane is about 90 minutes #Thailand pic.twitter.com/djf4H6jbk1
— Richard Barrow in Thailand (@RichardBarrow) December 31, 2017
First meal in Lampang is Khao Soi. I had “ruam mit” which was chicken, beef and pork balls (55 Baht). We also had satay pork (40B) and fried pork on toast (40B). We are at Khao Soi Super in the city. Map: https://t.co/yzy2owbvcQ pic.twitter.com/BV01XbZ4bm
— Richard Barrow in Thailand (@RichardBarrow) December 31, 2017
Ban Sao Nak (บ้านเสานัก) is an old wooden building in Lampang built in 1895. It has 116 teak pillars. Admission 50B. Map: https://t.co/MYHmdRGYq5 #Thailand pic.twitter.com/9oQX27gkGL
— Richard Barrow in Thailand (@RichardBarrow) December 31, 2017
This is the “Louis House” (บ้านหลุยส์) in Lampang. It was the former residence and office of Louis T. Leonowens in 1905. Louis was the son of Anna Leonowens, the English teacher to the children of King Rama IV (The King and I). Map: https://t.co/HIKfSeySSp #Thailand pic.twitter.com/oiRJl7g0uL
— Richard Barrow in Thailand (@RichardBarrow) December 31, 2017
Wat Phra Kaew in Lampang was one of the temples that housed the sacred Emerald Buddha before it was moved to Bangkok. Map: https://t.co/hZhNHZHpd3 #Thailand pic.twitter.com/gaOx6STx9b
— Richard Barrow in Thailand (@RichardBarrow) December 31, 2017
Wat Pong Sanuk Tai in Lampang was built by wealthy Burmese immigrants in 1886. This was the first temple in Thailand to get a merit award from UNESCO. Map: https://t.co/Sl2zRextfH #Thailand pic.twitter.com/9yDIi7eEDn
— Richard Barrow in Thailand (@RichardBarrow) December 31, 2017
The Lampang Amazing Thailand Countdown 2018 is taking place tonight at the clock tower in the city. There is also a walking street here with lots of delicious food. Map: https://t.co/yOsJDsMYDt #Thailand pic.twitter.com/y205dWOrEM
— Richard Barrow in Thailand (@RichardBarrow) December 31, 2017
Dinner at the famous Aroy One Baht restaurant (ร้านอร่อยบาทเดียว) in Lampang. Very busy tonight. Good food and very reasonable prices. Map: https://t.co/0hMZTJWLHj #Thailand pic.twitter.com/prFYhQD3zT
— Richard Barrow in Thailand (@RichardBarrow) December 31, 2017
Some really nice buildings on Soi Charoen Mueang in Lampang dating back over 100 years. At the weekend there’s a walking street market here. Map: https://t.co/qcVopH00do #Thailand pic.twitter.com/VaRVUgBLpg
— Richard Barrow in Thailand (@RichardBarrow) December 31, 2017
Happy New Year from Lampang! I wish you happiness & good health สวัสดีปีใหม่ทุกๆคนนะครับ ขอให้มีความสุขมาก สุขภาพแข็งแรง #Thailand pic.twitter.com/t3bIKaEDsZ
— Richard Barrow in Thailand (@RichardBarrow) December 31, 2017
DAY TWO:
All over Thailand, many Buddhists got up early this morning to offer alms to monks as a way to make merit for the new year. The ceremony in Lampang has just started #Thailand pic.twitter.com/dIQtdsgWqd
— Richard Barrow in Thailand (@RichardBarrow) January 1, 2018
The governor of Lampang and local people offer alms to monks early in the morning as a way to make merit for the new year #Thailand pic.twitter.com/VVXdiFoCPk
— Richard Barrow in Thailand (@RichardBarrow) January 1, 2018
One of the popular tourist activities in Lampang is pony and trap rides. These range from 200B to 400B depending on length of ride and whether you want stops along the way #Thailand pic.twitter.com/2LR787cR2E
— Richard Barrow in Thailand (@RichardBarrow) January 1, 2018
Wat Si Rongmuang in Lampang was built in 1904 by wealthy Burmese businessmen. Map: https://t.co/ZKiTdO3GSe #Thailand pic.twitter.com/PqPiYiSoC8
— Richard Barrow in Thailand (@RichardBarrow) January 1, 2018
Wat Srichum in Lampang is the biggest Burmese style temple in Thailand. It has been used as a location for many films and dramas. The wihan was destroyed in a fire in 1992 but it has since been rebuilt. Map: https://t.co/pFdJZhxyZ9 #Thailand pic.twitter.com/HaoQ3jnbpf
— Richard Barrow in Thailand (@RichardBarrow) January 1, 2018
Dhanabadee Ceramic Museum in Lampang is open every day. Admission is 100B for foreigners & 60B for Thais. Map: https://t.co/NXzY33YWZF #Thailand pic.twitter.com/HTSE4x3Ttc
— Richard Barrow in Thailand (@RichardBarrow) January 1, 2018
Lunch at Runway Kitchen near Lampang airport. Map: https://t.co/MZpVEjRcVY #Thailand pic.twitter.com/F2flN7WG4y
— Richard Barrow in Thailand (@RichardBarrow) January 1, 2018
Boarding Bangkok Airways PG 208 for the flight back to Bangkok from Lampang. Nok Air also operates from this airport in Northern Thailand. Though they fly to Don Mueang and we’re going to Suvarnabhumi Airport #Thailand pic.twitter.com/fJm0ItuQkR
— Richard Barrow in Thailand (@RichardBarrow) January 1, 2018
That’s a wrap on my brief two-day trip to Lampang for the Countdown event. I hope you enjoyed my photos and I’ve inspired you to visit. Map of places that I visited: https://t.co/uXNfLUjFWd #Thailand pic.twitter.com/7MDTDSK55B
— Richard Barrow in Thailand (@RichardBarrow) January 1, 2018
Shared today on The PhuketSun.com
With the great riverfront pathways – its a shame that it is so difficult to rent a bicycle in Lampang (based on my 4 day visit in Oct 2017).
It is a charming enough city and very bicycle friendly – Needs more bicycle rental outlets.
Yes, that is a shame. More should be done.