The Museum of Urban Lamphun: An Absorbing Glimpse Into Yesteryear
UPDATE : 23 February 2011
Panjamal
A 99-year-old, two-story wooden building, located in Lamphun's historic old town, currently serves as the Museum of Urban Lamphun. The elegant structure, which features European-influenced architectural styles, contains numerous historical references and anecdotes relating to Lamphun province's economic and socio-political development over the past century.
Built in 1912, the building was once the residence of Chao Rajasamphantawong (Phuttawong Na Chiang Mai), who served the provincial government during the days when it was a Royal administration. Chao Rajasamphantawong's wife, Chao Songla, who was a native of Lamphun, was a younger sister of Chao Chakkhamkachornsak – the last Royal ruler of the province (during 1911-1943).
Due to the building's unique architectural characteristics, a group of local people petitioned the authorities to establish a restoration project. Once this had been successfully approved, the group decided to establish a museum once the restoration work had been completed. It opened to the general public in 2007 with the full cooperation of the provincial authorities.
Perspectives of The Past
The first floor includes several photo exhibitions, which tell the story of the building itself, as well as the history of the province. The first display includes several photos of Chao Rajasamphantawong, his wife, along with his nine children and other members of the household. Numerous other photos show the building when it served as a school for children from the province's Thai-Chinese community (during 1945-1986).
Two other sets of photographs feature various scenes from the province during the past. Many of these photos highlight local traditions and customs, such as a spectacular procession of novices preparing to be ordained, along with other significant Buddhist-related celebrations and ceremonies.
A handful of photographs provide an interesting contrast between how locals bought and sold goods within the province's markets during the early 1900s (when the goods were displayed on the ground) with the 1970s, by which time the markets were covered and the vendors sat on raised platforms.
The display also includes photographs of high-ranking officials from Bangkok visiting the town during the first half of the 20th century, along with roads, motor vehicles and the town's bus station during the early part of the latter half. All these shots provide an interesting indication as to how Thai people dressed during various eras.
In the museum's central exhibition hall is a small set of color photographs of winners of the province's beauty pageants. Among these girls, one particularly stunning winner went on to win the Miss Thailand pageant in 1954, becoming the pride of the province.
In addition to the photo displays, the museum also includes collections of cameras, dolls and toys, school stationary and vintage bicycles and tricycles once used by local people.
Another section on the first floor includes a classroom, laid out in its original form, along with a representation of the town's Haripunchai Rama cinema. The classroom includes a blackboard, a bookshelf and chairs and tables, while a cinema exhibit includes rows of benches and a vintage film projector.
The second floor of the building is not used as a exhibition space and has been left virtually untouched so visitors can see various interesting, original features pertaining to the building's architecture.
The Museum of Urban Lamphun, which opens daily from 9 am to 4 pm, provides visitors with a range of interesting insights into various aspects of the local community. While admission is free, donations are gratefully accepted. For further information, call Tel: +66 (0)53 511 500.
Transport Connections:
The Museum of Urban Lamphun is located at 10, Wang Sai Road in Lamphun’s Muang district.
Car: From Bangkok, take Highway 1 to Nakhon Sawan via Sing Buri and Chai Nat, before switching over to Highway 11, which will take you all the way to Lamphun province. This journey covers a distance of about 670 kilometers in total. On arrival in the town, head for Wang Sai Road. The Museum of Urban Lamphun is adjacent to the Haripunchai National Museum.
Train: Trains depart regularly for Lamphun from Bangkok’s main Hualamphong Railway Station. For further information on train times, call the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) on Tel: +66 (0)2 220 4444. Upon arrival in Lamphun, use a rickshaw to take you to the Museum of Urban Lamphun, which is located on Wang Sai Road.
Credit: TAN Network (www.tannetwork.tv)
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