Lamphun province - Definition and Overview

Lamphun
ลำพูน

Statistics
Capital:	Lamphun
Area:	4,505.9 km² Ranked 49th
Inhabitants:	413,299 (2000) Ranked 60th
Pop. density:	92 inh./km² Ranked 48th
ISO 3166-2:	TH-61
Map

Lamphun (Thai ลำพูน) is one of the northern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Chiang Mai, Lampang and Tak.

Geography

Lamphun is located in the river valley of the Ping river, surrounded by mountain chains.

History

Under its old name of Haripunchai, Lampang was the northernmost 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.

Symbols

The provincial seal show the temple Wat Phra That Haripunchai, which was already the main temple of the city Lamphun during the Mon times. The gold-covered chedi is said to contain a relic of Buddha. The provincial flower is the Flame of the Forest (Butea monosperma), and the provincial tree is the Rain Tree (Samanea saman).

Administrative divisions

The province is subdivided in 7 districts (Amphoe) and one minor district (King Amphoe). These are further subdivided into 51 communes (tambon) and 520 villages (mubaan).

External links

• Province page from the Tourist Authority of Thailand (http://www.tourismthailand.org/province.php?id=31&region=north)
• Golden Jubilee Network province guide (http://kanchanapisek.or.th/cgi-bin/kp8/oncc/province.cgi?prov=n14)

Provinces of Thailand

North: Chiang Mai | Chiang Rai | Kamphaeng Phet | Lampang | Lamphun | Mae Hong Son | Nakhon Sawan | Nan | Phayao | Phetchabun | Phichit | Phitsanulok | Phrae | Sukhothai | Tak | Uthai Thani | Uttaradit North-East: Amnat Charoen | Buriram | Chaiyaphum | Kalasin | Khon Kaen | Loei | Maha Sarakham | Mukdahan | Nakhon Phanom | Nakhon Ratchasima | Nongbua Lamphu | Nong Khai | Roi Et | Sakon Nakhon | Sisaket | Surin | Ubon Ratchathani | Udon Thani | Yasothon Central: Ang Thong | Ayutthaya | Bangkok | Chainat | Kanchanaburi | Lopburi | Nakhon Nayok | Nakhon Pathom | Nonthaburi | Pathum Thani | Phetchaburi | Prachuap Khiri Khan | Ratchaburi | Samut Prakan | Samut Sakhon | Samut Songkhram | Saraburi | Sing Buri | Suphanburi South: Chumphon | Krabi | Nakhon Si Thammarat | Narathiwat | Pattani | Phang Nga | Phattalung | Phuket | Ranong | Satun | Songkhla | Surat Thani | Trang | Yala East: Chachoengsao | Chanthaburi | Chonburi | Rayong | Prachinburi | Sa Kaeo | Trat edit  (http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Template:Thailand_provinces)