Lampang adopts universal design community model
The northern province of Lampang will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to kick off the "Universal Design Community Model” project in order to push for the development of Lampang as a tourist city for all.
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Lampang Governor Suwat Promsuwan said that the signing of the MOU would be held on 28 April 2017, with Minister of Social Development and Human Security Police General Adul Sangsingkeo presiding over the signing ceremony.
Under the project, facilities will be built at various local government offices, temples, hotels, restaurants, public parks, and tourist attractions to make travel easier for people with disabilities, as well as older persons.
These facilities and services will be accessible to all users. They include ramps and public toilets for people who travel on wheelchairs and those who require supporting equipment.
The facilities have been modified and developed at many places, such as the Lampang Railway Station, the Ko Kha Subdistrict Municipality, and Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, which is one of the most exquisite temples in Thailand.
The Government has attached great importance to the policy of upgrading the quality of life of the people, especially persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and the underprivileged.
It has also stressed the need for Thailand to develop and promote tourism for all groups of people. Since many people with disabilities are traveling for tourism, facilities and services should be adopted and arranged to make travel easier for them.
Lampang is an old province worthy of a visit. It is the only province in Thailand where horse-drawn carriages are still used as a mean of public transport. The town of Lampang has a long history dating back to the Hariphunchai Kingdom, which is believed to have been founded in the seventh or early eighth century.
During the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), the first horse carriage was brought from Bangkok for use in Lampang. Horse carriages were also introduced for use as public transport in other northern provinces, such as Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phrae, Nan, and Mae Hong Son. They have no longer been used in those provinces.
The ceramics industry has become an important industry in Lampang. The province is noted for ceramics of good quality. It is also the location of the Thai Elephant Conservation Center, which has become a major tourist attraction in northern Thailand.
