Description:

Salak Yom in Lamphun is an annual event held in September, among the ethnic “Yong” of Lamphun Province. The Salak Yom Festival features the presentation of elaborately decorated “trees of gifts” to the Buddhist monks and novices of Wat Phathat Hariphunchai. The tall bamboo pole, the centerpiece of the ritual is decorated with thousands of brightly colored tufted rods, palm leaf manuscript holder, foodstuffs and money, the lower halves of the tree are decorated with daily objects, cooking utensils, cloths, fruits, vegetable and various kind of containers. Originally, the Salak Yom festival was a rite of passage for young women in ethnic Yong society. The tree was prepared and offered by women. Salak Yom was considered to be equal to the merit gained from ordaining as a Buddhist monk.

Itinerary:

8.30  Vans leave for Lamphun from Lifelong Learning Payap Center

9.00  Arrive at Wat Phathat Hariphunchai, the royal temple of Lamphun. The temple origins date from the 11th century but the central stupa is thought to originate in the 9th century. This temple was first rebuilt in 1443 by King Tilokaraja of Lanna kingdom Chiang Mai. At the temple participants will have the unique opportunity to observe the Salak Yom festival.

10.00  Walk (or ride in the van) to the near-by National Museum of Lamphun. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn officially opened the building in 1979. The Main Exhibition Hall is a long hall on the upper floor of the building. The exhibition of antiques is divided into 3 periods: prehistoric, Hariphunchai, and Lanna, and contains Buddha statues, Buddha images’ heads, deities, etc. Another small building contains the folk art and woodcarving hall and a room of stone inscriptions from the Hariphuchai period of the 12th century, Lanna period of the 16th century.

11.30  Visit Wat Chamadevi, or as the local people call it Wat Ku Kut. The temple was founded around 1150 when Lamphun was the capital of the Mon Dvaravati Kingdom of Hariphunchai. According to local legend, the temple was founded much earlier in the days of Queen Chama Devi, who founded the town of Lamphun in the early 9th century.

12.15  Transfer to lunch at Krua Wandee Thai restaurant

13.15  Leave to visit the peaceful Dharma Park and Inson Wongsam Art Gallery at the home of the National Artist of Lamphun, Ajarn Inson Wongsam. LLL participants will be shown around the gallery and vast Dharma Park grounds by the niece of the artist. We have been told by his niece that her uncle, now in his late 80’s, sometimes greets his guests. Aj. Inson studied art at Silapakorn University in Bangkok. After graduating he traveled from Thailand to Italy on a Lambretta motorcycle. The trip took over several years. He sold his paintings along the way to cover the cost of his adventure. He was named a National Artist of Thailand in 1999.

15:45  Arrive back at Payap LLL Center

* Registration and Payment by 15th September Maximum number 16 participants.

** Cost includes:

• Transportation
• Admission Fees
• Lunch
• Drinking Water
• Insusrance
• Faculty and Tour guides. *Faculty guide is Dr. Vachara Sindhuprama, Ph.D. University of Hawaii, USA; Assistant Professor in History Thammasat University, Bangkok (1999-2018); Lecturer in History, Payap University (1979-1999)

Download Flyer here: