Notes on Lamphun – Chiang Mai’s charming little neighbour

Lamphun is the capital of Lamphun province in northern Thailand. Lamphun province is next to Chiang Mai province, and their eponymously-titled capitals are only 19 km apart. Despite Lamphun’s proximity to Chiang Mai, I had somehow spent years of my life in Chiang Mai but had never visited Lamphun. It was time for me to visit Chiang Mai’s charming little neighbour. These are the notes of my trip to Lamphun in December 2025. Lamphun by train Not only is Lamphun ridiculously close to Chiang Mai, but there is a local train that leaves Chiang Mai at a sensible hour of the morning. Train number 408 departs Chiang Mai at 9.35 AM and arrives at Lamphun at 10.01. There are more frequent services by bus and songthaew, but the train is the most pleasant experience. I noticed a big tour group was dropped off at Chiang Mai, and then they were picked up at Lamphun. They could have just come here by the same bus, but the short train trip added some variety to their tour. It turns out that this…