Clock Tower Intersection in Lampang is an iconic place with an interesting history. This facility is considered the center of the city, and visiting it at least once is a must. Moreover, it is close to other attractions.
Clock Tower Intersection in Lampang – history of the building
According to the information I found, the construction of the clock tower began during the reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV). The ruler entrusted the task of designing the building to Prince Rachasrihawikrom, who was a talented craftsman and was respected at the royal court. The tower was made in Thimdab (the residence of the Royal Guard) because it is located close to the Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall – the famous Throne Hall in the Grand Palace in Bangkok.
In later years, the clock tower attracted the attention of the government when Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram served as prime minister from 1938 to 1944. He returned to power in 1948. However, in 1957, the tower was taken over as a result of a coup d’état by Marshal Sarit Thanarat, who had previously supported Phibunsongkhram’s rule. Nevertheless, Thanarat turned against Phibunsongkhram and forced him to flee the country in 1957.
This story is important in the context of the Clock Tower in Lampang because it was during Phibunsongkhram’s rule that emphasis was placed on the construction of new structures, following the example of Western countries.
A text from the Royal Gazette from 1954 also played an important role. The article mentioned that in every province, towers should be built in cities to inform the citizens what time it was when clocks were not yet common. Individual municipalities began to respond to this call, and a characteristic facility in Lampang was built in 1954-1955.
Other attractions near Clock Tower Intersection in Lampang
A trip to the Clock Tower is a great idea to see other important places in the city. There is a public park at the intersection that often hosts important cultural events. Less than a kilometer away, there is a similar facility, Khelang Nakhon Public Park, where you can relax or exercise. Moreover, Wat Chiang Rai is 260 m away. This is a very beautiful white temple that is worth visiting. A little further, over a kilometer, is the famous Kad Kong Ta Market. So you can do some shopping at the same time.
Location
Clock Tower Intersection in Lampang is located in Sop Tui Sub-District. You can get there by songthaew or carriage.
Clock Tower Intersection in Lampang – summary
Today, the tower is a major tourist attraction. This is where 5 streets meet, and the building is a good landmark. Moreover, in Lampang there is a belief that if you do not visit the Clock Tower, it will be considered a “miss out”. We wish you a nice trip to this point and to other interesting places.
