LAMPANG

town and changwat (province) in the Northern region of Thailand, located in the forested Khun Tan Range. The provincial capital of Lampang (or Lakhon) is a commercial centre located on the Mae Nam Wang (Wang River). One of Thailand's largest provincial towns, it was once the seat of an independent principality and retains the old walled city as its nucleus. There is a large sugar plant nearby at Ko Kha. The town is on the BangkokChiengmai railway and at the junction of highways to Chiengmai and Chiang Rai. There is an airport with scheduled flights to other Thai cities. The province occupies an area of 4,839 sq mi (12,534 sq km). The forests are a source of teak; and mineral products include lignite, antimony, lead, and tungsten. Tobacco, rice, beans, cotton, and sugarcane are grown. Pop. (1980) town, 42,301; province, 649,006.