Lampang Province

Lampang is one of the Northern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. The bordering provinces are from the north clockwise, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Phrae, Sukhothai, Tak, Lamphun and Chiang Mai. The old name of Lampang was Khelang Nakhon.
Geography: Lampang is 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 1,697-metre (5,568 ft) high Doi Luang.
Within the province are Chae Son and Doi Khun Tan National Parks in the Khun Tan Range, as well as Tham Pha Thai, Doi Luang National Park, and the Huai Tak Teak Biosphere Reserve in the Phi Pan Nam Range.
History: Starting in the 7th century Lampang was part of the Dvaravati period Hariphunchai Kingdom of the Mon. In the 11th century the Khmer Empire occupied the Lampang area, but it was King Mengrai of Lanna who incorporated the complete Haripunchai Kingdom into his kingdom in 1292. Lampang or Nakhon Lampang or Lakhon, was under Burmese rule after the fall of Lanna Kingdom from the 16th century to 18th century. During the uprising against Burmese rule by Siam's new kings in the late-18th century, a local Lampang leader became Siam's ally. After the victory, Lanna became a vassal state of Siam. The city continues to be one of the important economic and political centers in the north. Lampang became a province of Thailand in 1892.
Economy: Lampang is famous for the production of ceramic goods and its 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 District. Most of ceramic factories are small to medium-sized operations producing novelties (plant pots, dolls), tableware, and building materials (tiles, railings).
The largest coal fired power plant in Southeast Asia is in Mae Mo District near the lignite mining area. The plant uses lignite as fuel. The largest concrete plant is also north of Mueang Lampang. This is also powered by lignite. Limestone is another abundant rock mined in Lampang.
Agriculturally, the province produces rice and pineapples.
Tourism: Lampang due to its rich history has a bewildering selection of historical sites added to which are some significant natural and other attractions (see list below). It has it's own airport and has a class 1 railway station on the Northern Line. There are excellent road connections to other northern provinces and to Bangkok, Highway 1.