The last class of the Foundation’s Remote Area Student Programme celebrated their graduation in 2004. With its original founding mission successfully accomplished, Rai Mae Fah Luang enters the next phase, completing the transition from education and youth development to its new role as a cultural centre and a centre of Lanna studies dedicated to the conservation and promotion of Lanna heritage.

THE CONSERVATION AND PROMOTION OF LANNA HERITAGE
Entrusted with this new mandate and guided by the belief that an essential component of cultural preservation is to conserve the environment in which the art and artefacts were created, the Mae Fah Luang Foundation strives to preserve the atmosphere and natural landscape in which the cultural arts of the ancient northern Thai kingdom, known as Lanna Thai, were nurtured.

	The Botanical Gardens and Nature Park
	The Haw Kham (Golden Pavilion)
	The Haw Kham Noi (Small Golden Pavilion)
	Sala Kaew – A ceremonial space for rituals
	Haw Kaew – Gallery of Lanna Cultural Arts

THE BOTANICAL GARDENS AND NATURE PARK
The 26-hectare botanical gardens are planted with indigenous plants and trees and fragrant flora known to have inspired artistic motifs in the visual, literary and performing arts. Paths and walkways meander around the landscaped gardens, lotus ponds and rest pavilions or sala.

The gardens continue to play an important role in the contemporary cultural life of the community. Many artists visit the gardens in search of inspiration. The gardens also serve as a venue for staging cultural performances as well as the conduct of rituals in observance of ancient Lanna Buddhist traditions. Such cultural activities preserve the close connection between spiritual beliefs and the natural ecology of Lanna.

While the gardens are considered to be sacred ground where rituals are performed, it also has a more contemporary role and function. On numerous occasions, the Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park has been the host venue for grand receptions and state banquets staged in honour of visiting royalty and international dignitaries.

The majestic pavilions and galleries on the premises encapsulate the finest of Lanna art and architecture. Religious art and secular objects are displayed within its context and offer insight into ancient traditions and the Lanna Thai way of life.

A MAGNIFICENT REPOSITORY OF LANNA ART
- The country’s finest collection of Northern Thai religious and secular art and artefacts dating back to 1,600 A.D.

To preserve the finest of the Lanna cultural and artistic heritage, the Mae Fah Luang Foundation initiated a collection of Lanna art and artefacts.

The collection of Lanna art on display at the Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park has been collected over the years by the Mae Fah Luang Foundation under the patronage of HRH the Princess Mother. It represents the finest exhibition and collection of religious and secular art and artefacts found in Thailand.

‘LANNA THAI’
The collection consists of items dating from the Lanna period, beginning approximately 1600 A.D. “Lanna” refers to the Kingdom of the northern Thai peoples which was incorporated into the Kingdom of Siam by treaty approximately 100 years ago.

The Lanna kingdom encompassed the provinces of Chiang Rai, Nan, Chiang Mai, Phayao, Phra, Lampang and Lampoon and its influence reached into the Shan States (Burma), Sipsongpanna (China) and Lan Xang (Lao PDR).

Its culturally unique expression is marked by a distinct spoken and written language (related to but different from modern Thai) and a distinguished history of codified law. Its religious monuments reveal religious piety in the face of warfare and conquest by its neighbours.

The Lanna kingdom was a rich historical period which has been little studied but is much appreciated by connoisseurs of Southeast Asian art.

Wood from Rare and Exotic Species of Trees
Not only is the Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park a repository of some of the most magnificent masterpieces in Lanna art, a prized collection of unique items of wood greatly valued for its rarity, uniqueness or natural beauty is part of its precious inventory. These items were presented to HRH the Princess Mother as gifts by individuals and organizations from all over the country.

The collection reflects the tremendous biodiversity and wealth of rare and exotic species of trees found throughout the Thai kingdom, in times past and the present. Of these, teak – a hardwood tree indigenous to the forests of Northern Thailand and the Golden Triangle treasured as much for the natural beauty as for its durability – remains the top choice for crafting art pieces and beautiful ceremonial items used for worship such as candelabra, as well as a great variety of secular items that featured in the daily lives of the people.

As word of the efforts being undertaken by the Foundation to develop a Lanna heritage collection at Rai Mae Fah Luang became widely known, it attracted much public interest and support from local residents who offered donations of art items and artefacts in their possession to the Foundation. The steady stream of donations continues to this very day, adding to the collection. This has pre-empted many priceless pieces of Lanna art from being lost and provides an opportunity for northern Thai people to learn about their cultural roots and heritage.

HAW KHAM (Golden Pavilion)
A gift from the people of Thailand on the 90th birthday anniversary of HRH the Princess Mother, the Ho Kham Golden Pavilion is constructed in the traditional Lanna style and houses the country’s finest collection of Northern Thai religious and secular art and artefacts that have been collected over the years by the Mae Fah Luang Foundation under the patronage of HRH the Princess Mother.

It is believed that religious implements, once consecrated, remain sacred in perpetuity. So, in deference to local beliefs, a selection of items from the collection consisting primarily of objects related to ceremonial activities are enshrined in the Haw Kham and the majestic pavilion encapsulates the very essence of Lanna Buddist ritual. The religious art is displayed within its context, provisions having been made for those who wish to offer their respect.

Of these, an ancient Lanna-style teakwood statue of the Lord Buddha enshrined in the pavilion is of special interest. Each evening, the ritual candelabra (or sattapan) placed around the Buddha image are lit to pay respect to the Lord Buddha and his image.

Seen from a distance, the sight of the flickering candles against the backdrop of twilight is breathtaking. The shroud of silence is interrupted only by the rustle of leaves as the lush canopy of mature trees sway in the breeze and the sounds of the impending night. Immersed in absolute serenity, the ritual candle-lighting is indeed a wondrous and awe-inspiring spectacle to witness – one that leaves little doubt that this is indeed the sacred abode of celestial beings.

Artefacts housed in the Haw Kham include Buddha images or Phra Buddha Rup, palanquins to enshrine the images called Prasat, Satthaphan candelabra, Tung Gradan (wooden standards), Khan dok containers in which floral offerings are made, as well as smaller religious items, textiles and architectural pieces.

Most larger items are of carved, lacquered and embellished wood.

HAW KHAM NOI (Small Golden Pavilion)
The Wiang Ta murals were sent to the Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park for safekeeping by the villagers and are currently stored on the premises in Haw Kham Noi – the Small Golden Pavilion, awaiting conservation. (In return, the Foundation built a new sanctuary in the village in the traditional Lanna style.)

The Wiang Tha murals depicting scenes from the daily life of the Northern people
were painted directly on the teakwood walls of a small temple in Phrae province and represents an invaluable record of northern Thai culture in the 19^th century.

In addition to these major pieces, the collection in Haw Kham Noi also includes secular objects from the Lanna period, ranging from boats to musical instruments to kitchen, agricultural implements and textiles.

SALA KAEW
A ceremonial space for rituals

HAW KAEW
Gallery of Lanna Cultural Arts
The art objects and ornaments exhibited in the gallery surrounding the double courtyard are handcrafted from teakwood and reflect the diversity of traditional and contemporary Lanna art and culture. The collection includes secular objects such as boats, music instruments, kitchen utensils and agricultural tools from the Lanna period. A library situated within the gallery promotes the in-depth study of Lanna cultural arts.

NATURE PARK AND BOTANICAL GARDENS
The Rai Mae Fah Luang is also a botanical garden.

VISITOR INFORMATION

	The Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park is open daily from 10.00 - 18.00 hours, except on Mondays.
	Admission Fees Visitors of Thai Nationality International Visitors Adult Child Adult Child Visit to the Garden 20 Baht 20 Baht 50 Baht 50 Baht Visit to Hor Kham and Hor Kaew 150 Baht 50 Baht 200 Baht 150 Baht
	Upon request, Rai Mae Fah Luang is made available as an event venue for theme dinners and private parties.
	MAP 313 Moo 7, Ban Pa Ngiew, T. Robwiang, A. Muang, Chiang Rai 57000

Contact information:
Bangkok Office:
Tel: +66 (0) 2252 7114 Ext 217
Fax: +66 (0) 2254 1665
Website: www.doitung.org
E-mail: tourism@doitung.org

Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park
313 Moo 7, Ban Pa Ngiew, Tambon Robwiang, Amphoe Muang, Chiang Rai 57000
Tel: +66 (0) 5371 1968
E-mail: tourism@doitung.org