Mueang Laplae Museum: Exploring Local Heritage in Uttaradit

The Bear Team 6 min read

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Exploring Uttaradit Province offers a unique opportunity to uncover the enigmatic legend of Muang Laplace, a city veiled in mystery and inaccessible to outsiders. While the stories about this city may not be widely known, they are believed to exist. To satiate your curiosity about Laplace City, a visit to the 'Muang Laplace Museum' is a must.

The Muang Laplace Museum stands as an educational center, providing valuable insights into the culture, customs, traditions, local wisdom, and way of life of Laplace City. This comprehensive journey spans from its historical origins to its contemporary existence, offering a captivating glimpse into the city's rich heritage.

The museum features a dedicated cultural and traditional activity hall in Laplace County, Uttaradit Province. Pack your bags and join us in unraveling the enigmatic history of Laplace City at the 'Muang Laplace Museum'!

Fun Fact!

The small town of Laplae, which means "mysterious city," is just five kilometers from Uttaradit. The district is worth a visit, especially for enthusiastic tourists about agriculture, culture, and history.

Exploring the Mueang Laplae Museum

The museum features an elegant Thai-style wooden house that vividly depicts the lives of the Laplae people in the past. Visitors can witness various aspects of the villagers' way of life, from singing lullabies for their children to daily activities like living arrangements after childbirth, storage areas, and bathroom facilities. This exhibition is located near the House of Phra Sri Phanommat Museum.

Additionally, the museum showcases the rich heritage of Laplae City and its significant history, offering valuable artifacts and exhibits related to Laplae and Uttaradit, including key tourist attractions. Surrounding the Thai house, displays featuring elephant stalls, horse stables, pig enclosures, coconut farms, betel nut gardens, waterfalls, natural streams, and the traditional art of weaving cloth by foot.

Laplae, a fabled town believed to have existed during the Sukhothai Period, was known for its inaccessibility to outsiders. It was a place of exceptional integrity, and only those with unwavering honesty were allowed within its bounds. Even minor or white lies were strictly forbidden.

According to the legend, a man from Tung Tang Town once took the belongings of a beautiful woman he met. The woman, however, brought him into Laplae town as her husband. They had a child together, but one day, when the woman was absent, the baby cried. The man told a lie to hush the baby, and when the villagers discovered this deception, he was banished from the city.

Today, Laplae is recognized as 'Laplae County' in Uttaradit, and the 'Muang Laplae Museum' is located within the county. As you approach the museum, you'll pass through the entrance gate of Laplae town, which offers a great photo opportunity. The gate is an imposing yellow structure resembling a fortress. Once you've taken your pictures, you can proceed to the museum.

The museum features traditional Thai houses and is well-signposted with a prominent 'Muang Laplae Museum' sign in Thai. It comprises various zones with diverse traditional exhibitions, including basketry, tools, figurines, and more. Visitors can read informative texts and view pictures that provide insights into Laplae town.

Before leaving, capture some memorable photos in the museum's gardens, which offer a picturesque backdrop. The museum is open every day from 08:30 to 17:00, with no admission fee, making it an accessible and informative destination for those interested in Laplae's unique history and cultural heritage.

Trivia

The museum contains traditional Thai houses. A large sign is written 'Muang Laplae Museum' in Thai. There are several zones which contain many types of traditional exhibitions.

Discovering Laplae's Surrounding Treasures

Wat Phra Borom That Tung Yang

• Located just 6.4 kilometers and a 9-minute drive from the museum, this temple is a must-visit.
• Pay your respects to the principal Buddha statue and explore the temple's stunning architecture.
• Capture the elegant panoramic views with your camera.

Wat Phra Thaen Sila-Ard

• Wat Phra Thaen Sila At is a temple with royal third-grade status, 9.3 kilometers from the museum. The central place of worship at this temple features a laterite seat adorned with a golden lotus flower pattern dating back to the Sukhothai era.
• Legend has it that the Bodhisattva meditated on this stone seat. The original temple was destroyed by fire in 1908, but the stone seat miraculously survived, and the temple was later restored under the patronage of King Rama V (Chulalongkorn).
• This temple is renowned for housing the sacred 'Phra Thaen Sila-Ard,' believed to bring good luck to those who pay homage. The temple also features a traditional museum providing insights into the lives of people in the past.

Mon Lap Lae

• A mere 2.1 kilometers (approximately a 3-minute drive) from the museum, this spot is perfect for selfie-lovers.
• It combines a traditional restaurant, a fabric museum, and an antique shop.
• Capture and share beautiful photos on social media, relish flavorful dishes, and shop for traditional fabrics.

Why Visit the Mueang Laplae Museum in Uttaradit?

The Laplae City Museum is a place that weaves together the history, way of life, and customs of Laplae City. Each house within the museum tells a unique story, like the wooden bridge leading into the village showcasing the cotton gin and the large loom revealing Laplae girls' weaving techniques. Today, Laplae District is renowned for its handicrafts, including Tin Jok cloth and brooms that rank highly in the country.

Explore the ancient rice milling machine and barn to gain insight into the community's agricultural practices from the past to the present. Laplae people, particularly those from northern Thailand, have a penchant for cooking at home, and the town is famous for its delectable Mee Phan.

Begin your journey at the Laplae town gate, an impressive yellow structure resembling a historic castle. Capture photos of this iconic landmark before making your way to the museum. The museum is divided into various zones, primarily featuring ancient Thai wooden houses, each brimming with traditional artifacts, such as fabric weavers, basketry items, antique cabinets, old appliances, and figurines. Additionally, you'll find pictures and texts offering insights into Laplae City's history, covering everything from clothing to diverse beliefs.

While you explore the interiors of these houses, don't forget to take a leisurely stroll outside. The gardens are beautifully landscaped, providing numerous spots ideal for photography. The museum is open daily (8:30 to 17:00) with no admission fee, making it an excellent destination for the whole family to enjoy.

How to Visit the Mueang Laplae Museum in Uttaradit?

The Muang Laplace Museum is in Sri Phantomas District, Laplae County, Uttaradit Province.

• By car
  • You can reach the museum by taking Highway No. 1 (Phahon Yothin) from Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok), passing through Wang Noi District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Sing Buri, Chainat, Nakhon Sawan, and Phitsanulok until you reach Uttaradit.
  • From there, continue on Highway No. 102 to Laplae District, which is about 8 kilometers from Mueang District.

• By bus
  • If you prefer traveling by bus, there are air-conditioned buses that operate on the Bangkok-Uttaradit route.
  • Buses usually depart from the Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit 2) on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road several times daily. The journey takes approximately 7.5 hours.

• By train
  • Another option is to take the train from Hua Lamphong Railway Station in Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok) to Uttaradit Province.
  • There is a daily train service available.

Did you know?

The museum indicates biographies and works of Phra Sri Phanomrat and the significant history of Laplae City, good elements of Laplae and Uttaradit with main tourist attractions.

Maps & More Information 

The Mueang Laplae Museum in Uttaradit is a gorgeous little museum about the local history of Laplae. It is worth a visit if you are planning a tour of the area. It's a typical Thai home reconstructed with original items donated by locals and a lovely setting. You can experience a free admission, but you can donate. It's worth supporting the local people who celebrate and value their past.