The German Thai Link

Lampang is situated on the right bank of Mae Nam Wang and lies 604 kilometers north of Bangkok at the junction of highway of Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai. Lampang lays claim to two unique features: it is the sole Thai town still using colourful horse drawn carriages as a means of everyday urban transport, and it claims to have the world's only training school for baby elephants. Both attractions account for the bulk of Lampang's thai and foreign visitors.

The Young Elephant Training Centre is attached to the Veterinary Section of the Northern Timber Work division of the Forestry Industry Organization and is the first centre in Thailand to trian elephants for forest work. The Centre has more than 100 adult elephants. The Centre's main purposes are: a. To train young elephants in necessary forest-working skills. b. To educate young elephants in work and discipline. c. To separate them from their mothers, enabling the latter to wrok without hindrance. d. To protect them from possible danger, such as attacks from wild animals or disease. e. To place them under good care of FIO veterinarians. Yong elephants are enrolled in the training centre between the ages of three to five. They leam discipline and forest-working skills. The course lasts about five years. The annual training schedule for young elephants is as follows: The Summer Vacation lasts from March to May. Training occurs between June and February. The school closes on religious days. An elephant's life, and working years, are as follows. 1-2 years old - elephant stays with its mother. 3-5 - primary training. 6-10 - secondary training in the training centre. 11-15 - working in the forest on light jobs. 16-38 - starting hard work. 39-50 - reaching the peak of its ability and beginning to slowly decline. 51-60 - lower capabilities compared with previous period 61 - retirement age for FIO elephants who are allowed to roam with one caretaker each until they die.

Doi Khuntan National Park Is located within Lampang and Lamphun, has an area of 225 square kiliometers and an altitude of 1,272 meters. Access to the park is possible only by train. The Doi Khuntan area was first explored early this century when German engineers were excavating Thailand's longest tunnel (some 1.3 kilometers ) on the Bangkok - Chiang Mai railway line. The main trail climbs from Khuntan station to park headquarters and bungalows belonging to the State Railways.

The Tham Pha Thai Forest Park lies at kilometer 67 on the Lampang-Ngao Road and hosts a big Buddha image and coolurful stalagmites.

The Kiu Lom Dam and Reservior is located about 37 kms. from the township area on Lampang-Ngao Highway where a left turn is to be made at Km. 23.3 throught another 14 kms. to the dam site. The dam is under the administration of the Royal Irrigation Department. Another mean is from the private sector whose bungalows and pleasant rafts tour are available for vistors who wish to explore natural surrounding.

Namtok Wang Kaeo, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Thailand, with water cascading down 110 tiers from a top of a mountain which can be seen up to four kilometers away. Hilltribe villages are located on top of the Mountain. Namtok Wang Kaeo is in the area of Doi luang National Park, located in Amphoe Wang Nua, 130 kms. from Lampang on Lampang - Chae Hom Road.