Lampang is located in the broad river valley of the Wang River, surrounded by mountain chains. In the Mae Mo district lignite is found and mined in open pits. To the north of the province is the 1697 m high Doi Luang.
Within the province are the national parks Tham Pha Thai, Chae Son, Doi Khun Than, as well as the Huay Tak Teak Biosphere Reserve.
Lampang is famous for the production of ceramic goods and mining operations. A great deal of ball clay, china stone, and lignite are extracted from the surrounding mountains.
There are more than 200 ceramic factories in and around Mueang Lampang. Most of ceramic factories are small to medium size operations mainly producing novelties (plant pots, dolls), tablewares, and building materials (tiles, railings), etc.
The largest power plant in Thailand is located in Mae Mo district near the lignite mining area. The plant uses the abundant lignite as fuel. The largest concrete plant is also situated north of Mueang Lampang. This is also powered by the lignite. Limestone is another abundant mineral mined in Lampang.
Agricultural products that are famous for this province are rice and pineapples.
History
Starting in the 7th century Lampang was part of the Dvaravati period Haripunchai kingdom of the Mon. In the 11th century the Khmer empire occupied the Lampang area, but it was King Mengrai of Lannathai who incorporated the complete Haripunchai kingdom into his kingdom in 1292. Lampang or Nakhon Lampang or Lakhon, was under the Burmese rule after the fall of Lannathai Kingdom from the sixteenth century to eighteenth century. During the uprising against Burmese rule by Siam's new kings in the late eighteenth century, a Lampang's local leader became Siam's ally. After the victory, the leader was named to be the ruler of Chiangmai, the former center of Lannathai, while his relative ruled Lampang. The city continues to be one of the most important economic and political centers in the north. Lampang was announced as a province in Thailand in 1892.
|
