The citizens of Lamphun are hugely proud of their heritage, and particularly of the woman credited with founding the town, and nowhere is this more evident than at the Chama Thevi Monument, which is located in a suare in the southwest corner of the old town, adjacent to the town’s market.
At any time of day, but especially in the morning and evening, locals arrive with gifts of flowers, incense and candles which they offer at the feet of a statue of Queen Chama Thevi. The town’s heroine is depicted as an attractive, well-proportioned woman with a sword in one hand and the other hand outstretched; this one is often draped in garlands of jasmine. Behind the statue, bas relief images on a brick wall portray key incidents from the town’s turbulent past.
Getting There
Walk down Inthayongyot Road southwest from Wat Hariphunchai until you reach the moat, then turn right and it’s about 100 meters on your right.
Need to Know
- What is it? A public monument with an aura of reverence.
- Opening hours: 06:00 to 18:00 daily
- Entrance fee: Free
- Where? Southwest corner of the old town.