The Rai Mae Fah Luang or Lanna Art and Cultural Center in Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park is a learning center for hill tribes’ youth living together as a family in the town. So, when they have graduated from here, they can go back and help develop their community. This Thai Hill Crafts Foundation is under the royal patronage of Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Boromarajajonani. The Rai Mae Fah Luang is located at Baan Pa Ngiew Road, Rop Wiang sub district, Muang district, 4 kilometers away from Chiang Rai city. The park has been transformed into an artistic and cultural touristic place under the idea of “Lanna Peaceful Park”. The atmosphere is then full of traditional Lanna beauty’s style.

Besides the shady and pleasant of the trees, there are also an important architectural buildings including Haw Kham (Golden Pavilion) which is made from teak wood following the ancient Lanna architectural style. Inside, there is an exhibition on ancient wood-carved candlesticks. In addition, it is where Phra Pra To, Ancient Lanna woods and many other statues of Buddha, both Lanna and Burmese style, are located. 500 meters away from Haw Kham is Haw Kham Noi, a place where powder-colored mural paintings on teakwood called Wiang Ta are preserved.

The Tai Lue painter from Wiang Ta temple in Phrae province presents the daily life, rituals, the costume and the culture of Lanna over hundred years ago. Another highlight is Haw Kaew, a building where a permanent exhibition on teakwood is featured alongside year-round revolving exhibitions.

There are various sandalwoods and rare trees growing in the park. The center is decorated with Mae Fah Luang statue, a half-sized statue made from bronze created by Mrs. Misiem Yip Int Soi.

The Rai Mae Fah Luang opens from Tuesday – Sunday from 08.00 – 16.30.

History

Princess Srinagarindra was the mother two Thai monarchs – King Ananda Mahidol, Rama VIII, and King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama IX. Since the late 1960s, Princess Srinagarindra worked to improve the living conditions of rural Thais, particularly the ethnic minorities in remote mountainous areas that were only accessible by helicopter. On those visits, she learnt about their hardship, their lack of opportunity in life and the illnesses that plagued them. She would always be accompanied by a medical team to take care of any sick or injured she came across. She would also bring the villagers clothes, food, other essentials, and even toys for the children. It was this very image of the Princess Mother descending from the skies that gave rise to the name “Mae Fah Luang” (meaning Royal Mother from the Sky) and became the affectionate title by which the local people addressed her. Throughout her life, Princess Srinagarindra continued to work to improve the well-being of the poor and marginalized in Thailand. She passed away in 1995, at the age of 95.

In 2000, the centenary year of her birth, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) honoured Princess Srinagarindra as a “great personality in public service in the fields of education, applied science, and human, social, and environmental development”.