Chao Nan Thip Chang—Lampang, Thailand - Statues of Historic Figures on Waymarking.com

Chao Nan Thip Chang (variations on his name abound), was a liberator of the Lampang region of what is now northern Thailand, from the Burmese Kingdom. There is little information about this gentleman readily available in English, what I have here comes from translations of the historical plaques associated with this statue, and with an English language plaque associated with a different statue of the same man (in gallery).

Northern Thailand for centuries had been caught in a "tug of war" between various regional powers: the Kingdoms of Siam, Burma and Cambodia. At one time or another each of these exerted dominance over the various towns and cities of this region. In AD 1732 a local leader of the small city of Lampang, Nan Thip Chang, noted as a hunter, mahout, carpenter, and marksman, lead a successful uprising against the Burmese, freeing Lampang from foreign domination, and placing the area under the loose control of the Siamese Kingdom of Bangkok. He is credited with personally assassinating the local Burmese governor. This was to prove to be the catalyst to free northern Thailand from Burmese control.


This statue is located on the eastern outskirts of the city of Lampang. The statue itself appears life-sized, or perhaps somewhat larger. He is depicted standing, facing forward, left foot forward. His garb appears to be semi-formal wear, not military, across his back are diagonally slung two swords, atop his head a turban-like hat. I am not certain, but he seems to have a moustache, a rarity. Also a rarity is his possession of a firearm. In his right hand is a long barrelled firearm. Most likely this is a nod to his assassination of the Burmese governor of Lampang. I am not sufficiently well versed in such devices to offer a specific type, but here it is.

The statue stands on a high plinth, ~3m, which in turn is on a dais. Before the dais is a large prayer area, where locals and other can pay their respects to the memory of their liberator. The park also contains a small military memorial shrine with the names of fallen soldiers. As far as I can gather the memorial is for Thai soldiers who died during the Vietnam War. In February of each year there is a provincial wide ceremony held here, also visiting dignitaries are invited to pay their respects.

URL of the statue: Not listed

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