Lampang Province
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| Capital: | Lampang |
| Area: | 12,534.0 km² Ranked 10th |
| Inhabitants: | 782,152 (2000) Ranked 29th |
| Pop. density: | 62 inh./km² Ranked 67th |
| ISO 3166-2: | TH-52 |
| Governor: | Amonthat Niratsayakun (since 2003) |
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Lampang (Thai ลำปาง) is one of the northern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Chiang Rai, Phayao, Phrae, Sukhothai, Tak, Lamphun and Chiang Mai. The old name of Lampang is Khelang Nakhon.
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[edit] Geography
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.
[edit] Economy
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.
[edit] 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. After the fall of Lannathai it was under Burmese rulership, and finally became part of Thailand in 1774.
[edit] Symbols
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The provincial seal show a white rooster inside the entrance to the Pra That Lampang Luang temple. According to the local legend Buddha visited the province in his lifetime. The god Indra worried that the people would not get up by themselves to show respect to Buddha, and thus woke them himself by transforming into a white cock.
The provincial flower is the Heliconia (Heliconia sp.), and the provincial tree is the Indian Elm (Holoptelea integrifolia). According to the legend during Buddha's visit this tree was planted in the temple. |
[edit] Administrative divisions
The province is subdivided in 13 districts (Amphoe). These are further subdivided into 100 communes (tambon) and 855 villages (muban).
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