Lampang

 Lampang is otherwise known to the Thais as "Horse Carriage City", as horse-drawn carriages are still a regular means of transportation here. It is the third-largest city in Northern Thailand and together with Phrae was a centre for harvesting teak from the forests that abounded in the province. The logs were dragged to the Wang River, on the banks of which Lampang sits, by elephants for transport to Bangkok. Sadly the forests are now depleted of teak. The horse-drawn carriages are really just a tourist draw now, but they are clearly a symbol of the city, and, of course, we could not resist an hour's trip for 400 baht with a driver together with his apprentice. We actually thoroughly enjoyed the trip, stopping at a museum with old logging memorabilia, an old farm that had many old carriages and, what else, a temple of course!

Statue commemorating loggers, Lampang

Horse and carriage, Lampang

Old carriages, Lampang

Wat Phra Kaew Don Tao Sucha Daram, Lampang

Our accommodation in Lampang was an old teak house called the Riverside Guest House and although not fully populated with the usual creature comforts, it was clean and rather quaint.

The Riverside Guesthouse, Lampang

The Riverside Guesthouse, Lampang

View from our balcony over the River Wang, The Riverside Guesthouse, Lampang

As a testament to its teak processing past, the city is full of fascinating, old, teak buildings and other interesting architecture. Street artists have also been at work.

Old teak house, Lampang

Interesting architecture, Lampang

Interesting architecture, Lampang

Street art, Lampang

Street art, Lampang

Street art, Lampang

A note on the weather. A week or so ago, we were privately complaining about the weather which was rather grey and cool (25 degrees) for the time of year. Looking at the forecast for Chiang Mai which is our next destination, we can expect temperatures of 39 degrees. How can we possibly complain! Even here in Lampang at the moment, it is bloody hot at 6pm!