Description
This three-day, two-night excursion offered participants the opportunity to see and learn from Lanna scholar and professor, Dr. Ratanaporn Sethakul, Ph.D., about the history, culture, architecture, and way of life of the people in Phayao, a charming city located three hours’ drive north of Chiang Mai by the beautiful Phayao Lake.
Itinerary
Day 1: Thursday, Feb. 6
9:00 Departed from the LLL Center by minivan for the three-hour drive to Phayao, making at least one stop along the way for restroom facilities and to purchase coffee and/or snacks.
Noon Arrived in Phayao and had lunch at a restaurant near Phayao Lake.
Afternoon Visited Wat Sri Khom Kham, located in the heart of the city by the lake. The local people know this as Wat Phrachao Ton Luang after the huge Buddha image situated there. This Buddha image, with a lap width of 14 meters, is in the Chiang Saen style and was cast between 1491 and 1524. Afterward, visited the museum in the temple compound before continuing to the hotel for check-in and relaxation.
18:00 Transferred to dinner at a restaurant near Phayao Lake.
Day 2: Friday, Feb. 7
8:30 Departed from the hotel for Chiang Kham in the southern district of Phayao.
Morning Visited Wat Nataram, a Burmese-style temple entirely constructed of teak with fine carvings. The temple is considered one of the most beautiful Burmese temples in Thailand. Then, visited the Tai Lue Cultural Center to learn about the history of this group, who migrated from Yunnan Province in China hundreds of years ago. The cotton weaving of the Tai Lue is highly prized
Afternoon and evening After lunch at a Thai restaurant in Chiang Kham, returned to the hotel in Phayao city. Later in the evening, transferred to see the sunset at the Skywalk Viewpoint. Dinner was at a restaurant with a lakeside view.
Day 3: Saturday, Feb. 8
8:30 Checked out of the hotel and transferred to Wat Phrathat Chom Thong, located on Doi Chom Thong. The chedi, with a height of 30 meters, sat on a three-layered square base. Relics of the Lord Buddha were enshrined inside. Before leaving Phayao, visited a family who made crafts from hyacinth.
Lunch Stopped at a restaurant in Wiang Papao on the way back to Chiang Mai.
16:30 Arrived at the LLL Center.
*Itinerary may be altered slightly if necessary, or if requested by faculty guide
Faculty Guide
Dr. Ratanaporn Sethakul, Associate Professor of History, Emerita, Payap University, taught Thai and Lanna history at Payap University for over 40 years and was a researcher of the history and culture of Tai peoples. She led many excursions for LLL, including recent trips to Lamphun and visits to Tai communities in Chiang Mai.
