Hariphunchai National Museum

Located on Inthayongyot Road almost opposite Wat Phra That Hariphunchai is the Hariphunchai National Museum. The low - lyting plane around Ping River and Wang River in Chiengmai, Lampoon, and Lampang provinces was formerly known as" Samandra Pradesh" and "Pinkarath", in which were situated two important cities as "Haribhunchai" (Lampoon) and "Khelangkanakara" (Lampang) respectively. Haribhunchai (Lampoon) was the name of the state that had maintained close relationship with lawo (Lopburi) before 17th century B.E. unti 18th century B.D.; ith then disintegrated underthe might of King Mungrai, the ruler of "Yonok" the city which situated on the low - lying plane in Chiengrai Province - who, having captured Haribhunchai, established Chiengmai as a new government centre. He then started to unify the upper northern territories and completed the task in the subsequeng century. The unified teritory was known as "Lanna". The museum is open Wednesday-Sunday from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.

Inthayongyot Rd., T. Nai Muang, A. Muang, Lumphun 51000 Tel.053511186

Permanent Exhibit

The exhibit includes ancient relices and artifacts found locally and is divided by area as follows:

1. Stone Inscription Hall is an open exhibition hall on the first floor of the museum building. Here are displayed 35 stone inscriptions, seven of which contain Mon scripts and the other 28 contain Thai Lanna scripts.

2. Main Exhibition Hall is a long hall located on the second floor of the museum building. Exhibited artifacts in this hall may be classified by art characteristics into 2 groups:

• Haribhunchai Art Group Artifacts in this group may be further divided into two subgroups - those created before 17th century B.E. and those between B.D. 1600 - B.E. 1836The first subgroup includes those exhibiting the influence of indian Art of Pala type and those exhibiting the influence of Dvaravati Art in the Northeastern region. Artifacts of B.D. 1600 - B.E. 1836 display special art charateristics pertaining especially to Haribhunchai, which truly evolved from the special Dvaravati Art as evidenced by general charateristics such as connected thick eye-brows, downward looking eyes with upward - pointed end, slightly open mouth. Therefore archaeologists classified Haribhunchai Art as belongint to late Dvaravati period. Pottery; on the other had, has fine yellowish texture coming in different shape decorated with incised designs. Most earthenwares are containers for ashes of the dead; others are shaped like urns holding water commonly found in the North.


• Lanna Art Group Artifacts in this group belong to the mid B.D. 19-25th century. They may be classified by art characteristics into four subgroups as follows:-

First Subgroup Artifacts in this subgroup show the evidence of search for self - identity, leading to the emergence of khamer influenced art group, Haribhunchai influenced art group, and Indian influenced Pala art group.

Second Subgroup This art group denotes the full maturation and perfection of Lanna Art, namely : having firmly established self identity, artists were than able to incorporate contemporary art - Sukhothai and Ayuttaya - and to blend them, thus achieving the creation of truly beautiful and esthetical Lanna Art.

Third Subgroup Artifacts in this subgroup show local characteristics such as Phayao while at the same time absorbed influence from Lanxang in the People Democratic Republic of Laos. Beside sculptures, other outstanding artifacts are porcelains from different kilns such as Sankhamphaeng, Khalong, Tungtaohai, Pan, etc.

Fourth Subgroup Artifacts in this group were created contemporaneously in the same period as Rattanakhosin Art. They show the integration of different types of Thai Art in the past. In this period, moreover, were created numerous objects, namely, silver flowers, gold flowers, gold/silver elephants, horses for donation to Buddhist monks, made of valuable materials such as silver and gold