Oub Kham Museum, Chiangrai’s premiere museum, illustrates the lavish culture and art of the Lanna people. The Lanna Kingdoms were the north of Thailand, the north west of Laos, parts of the northeast Burma, parts of southwest China and some areas in Dien Bien Fu in Vietnam.

        The Oub Kham Museum can reduce your travel time with the object d’art and interesting handiwork of the Lanna people – manifesting their craftsmanship and artistic nature – put together in the roof.

        Prateep Goldland Buddha Images & Amulets Museum
Address: 191 Moo.1 Mae Chan - chiang Saen Rd.,Jomsawan, Mae-Chan, Chiang Rai         57110 Tel. (053) 653-038-9, (01) 603-8474 Fax. (053) 653-040
Open: from 09.00 am. - 05.00 pm. (everyday)

        "The world's largest privately owned collection of Buddha images & amulets."      This private museum in Chiang Rai, Thailand surpasses all other buddhist museums in the scop of its collection. The museum boasts about 2,000 Buddha Images and Amulets each of them in mint condition. You will find buddha images and amulets in style of Kantarad, Dhawarawadee, Chiang Saen, Sukhothai, U-thong, Lopburi   Ayudhaya, Radhanakosin, and more. The exhibision is displayed amidst the sacred ambiance of light, sound and solemnity of the Buddhist Faith. A visit to this museum will be a special experience for all. Even those who aren't Buddhists. Click here

        The Chiang San National Museum occupies the entire space of a rectangular shaped one storey building and the addition past of U-shaped wing, so the museum exhibition can be divided into 3 sections as follows:

        First Section: The storey - inside a major exhibition hall on the lower floor displays: the location of the settlement at Chiang Saen, Inscriptions was found from Chiang Saen and its vicinity and stucco decoration from Wat Pa Sak including the world reknowned sculpture of the kirtimuka (kala face). Another attractive point of the main exhibition hall is the flame final of the Heavenly Golden Budha and the Lan Na Buddha images in Chiang San style, the excavations and restorations of the ruins in Chiang Saen and its vicinity.

        Second Section: The storey - inside a major exhibition hall on the upper floor displayed important sculptures in Chiang San and artifacts from excavation and renovation of ancient monuments in Chiang San and also it's surrounding area.

        The museum features the Lanna Kings regalia and the royal costumes during the 15th century. Considered the finest museum in Asia. Oub Kham Museum has an assortment of rear and beautiful antique pieces well-pre-served through time. The colonial power of collected an enormous amount of these artifact from the different territories they occupied. Most of these collection become the foundation of the ethnographical museums in the western world.

        More art pieces were added or create a comprehensive collection, creating more awareness about the Lanna past. In 1976, the Royal Tropical Institute of Amsterdam sent an expedition of the northern part of Thailand. They collected relics belonging to the Lanna culture and those of the people who lived in the mountains. These artifacts recorded the way people lived during that era.

        There was little awareness among Thai people about their heritage. Khan Julasak Suriyachai a teacher and art connoisseur made a big difference. Khan Julasak realized that soon the heritage of northern Thailand only could be seen abroad. Hence, he started collecting northern Thailand ‘s art pieces and founded the Lanna Heritage Conversation Center, the seed of the present Oub Kham Museum. His collection includes valuable artifact from the Lanna Kingdom. The people of these kingdom developed a similar culture which one might call the ‘ Culture of the Dhamma Letters’ .

        The similarities are apparent until today. Apart from the ritual object, the collection mainly consists of lacquerwares, silver jewerlies and royal court costumes.

        Khan Julasak believed that these valuable pieces show that the Lanna people had a rich civilization making this museum a vital center of further study of the Lanna people’s culture.

        The ‘ Oub Kham ‘ a golde bowl used by members of the royalty, is a masterpiece; so is the golden throne of Chiang Thung ( the present Keng Thungin the easternmost Shan State in Burma). Lanna people also have their own music as tourist will discover from a visit in the museum . Building built based on Lanna architecture are also located in the museum’s garden. Alas, it is impossible to mention here or the fine pieces and Lanna’s rich culture found in the museum.

        The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. It is located near Den HA market and the military camp. A public transport fare Bt30 from the center of the town will take you to Oub Kham Museum. If you want to participate in the museum conservation, contact the Lanna Heritage Conservation Center, Chiangrai, Tel.no.(053) 713-349.


The admission fee: Adult-200 Baht / person.
                                    Child-100 Baht / person

Website: www.oubkhammuseum.com

Hill Tribes Museum and Research Center is located at 620/25 Thanalai rd., next to the
Chiangrai vocational school. The Hill Tribes population Development Association established this museum to exhibit the 6 tribes way of lives, which are Ahkha, Muser, Yoa, Karen, Leesow and Kmong. There is a slide presentation in 5 languages, which are Thai, English, German, French and Japanese. This is also a place where tourists can get information on Hill Tribes communities around Chiangrai. Also, there is a museum shop and restaurant. This museum is open daily from 8.30 a.m.- 8 p.m.

        Draws visitors into the mysterious world of opium, taking them on a ‘journey’ that sheds light on the more than 5,000 years of use and abuse of opiates dating back to pre-historic times, its continued use in pharmaceutical preparations and medicine for the treatment of ailments and international efforts to control illegal drug abuse. Case studies help visitors to understand the problems of addiction and choices available to fight the temptation of drugs.

        Every step of the way through the 5,600 sq-meter world-class exhibition area within the Hall of Opium, the information is presented through the dramatic use of state-of-the-art multimedia innovation and is vivid and poignant. The use of engaging audio-visual presentations and interactive displays, coupled with dynamic spatial design, work together to enlighten and provoke thought.

        The Hall of Opium at the Golden Triangle Park also incorporates an information centre for research and extension education on opium, opiates and other narcotics.

 Hall of Opium opening hours:
         Tuesday through to Sunday 10.00-15.30. Guided Tours in English and Thai are conducted at 30-minute intervals with the first English language tour commencing at 10.15 and the Thai language at 10.00.

The admission fee:
         Adult-300 Baht / person.
         Child-50 Baht / person

Address: Hall of Opium
        Moo 1 Ban Sop Ruak, Tambon Wiang, Amphoe Chiang Saen, Chiangrai 57150
        Tel: 053-784- 444
        Fax: 053-652-133

E-mail: hallofopium@doitung.org

Website: www.goldentrianglepark.com
                         or
www.doitung.org/doitung/destination_highlights/hallofopium.asp

ON SITE ACCOMMODATION AT THE HALL OF OPIUM
        THE GREATER MEKONG LODGE
        The Greater Mekong Lodge offers 26 air-conditioned twin rooms and 13 two-bedroom bungalows, each with private shower and balcony offering a panoramic view overlooking the Mekong River. Breakfast and buffet lunch are served at an open-air restaurant. Conference facilities include a 384-sq-meter meeting room.
Tel: +66 (0) 5378 4450-2
Fax: +66 (0) 5378 4453

Hor Watthanatham Nithat, City of Chiangrai
Located at the former town hall, Ho Watthanatham Nithat is a museum exhibiting ancient artefacts and written records on history, literature and indigenous intelligence as well as exhibits on royal activities by the late Princess Mother at Doi Tung. It is open to the public Wednesday-Sunday from 8.30 a.m. until 3.30 p.m.