North Thailand / Lampang

Photo: Horse-drawn carriage in Lampang

The town of Lampang, at the junction of the highways from Bangkok to Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, lays claim to two unique features: to be the sole Thai town still using colorful horse-drawn carriages as a means of everyday urban transport, and to have the world's only training school for baby elephants (even though it's 54km, 34mi out of town). Both attractions account for the bulk of Lampang's Thai and foreign visitors.

The town of Lampang, 604km (378mi) north of Bangkok, also is the capital of the province of Lampang, stretching over an area of 12,534sqkm (4,838sqmi) on the right bank of the Wang River.

Additional information on Lampang:

Recommended Hotels

Attractions

Authors note:

Tourism for idiots

I can understand some forms of tourism: for example, if people from cold countries want to go to a beach place in a warm country for two weeks. I can also understand those who go to a fun place to party. I can even understand parents who bring their children to Disneyland (though I personally regard this as a waste of money).

But the tourism you have in Northern Thailand and in Laos is for idiots.

Remote hill tribes! Wow. The Golden Triangle, the world's traditional opium-growing region. And you were there! Elephant trekking through the jungle. Real adventure!

The fact is that all of this is so totally commercialized, that it is no different from a theme park. Only less convenient.

But at least a theme park is honest in that it admits that it's all just show. On the other hand, North Thailand and Laos tourism promotion pretends that all of this is authentic. But it's a lie. It's all only about making stupid tourists spend money. Preferably a lot. For nothing of genuine value.