The wonderful Terracotta Garden Lamphun. Some of you may know that I have kept this little gem secret for years, but they have recently developed the area for visitors and opened a cafe/restaurant area, so now it’s off my “secret gem” list. Here is info about this fabulous place.
สวนไม้ไทยพ่อเลี้ยงหมื่น – The Terracotta Garden At Lamphun
Admittion: FREE
Open Hours : 09.00am – 6.00pm
Contact: 095-6754015 or 086-3563902
LINE: : @terracotta
FACEBOOK
LOCATION
What is the Terracotta Garden?
The Terracotta Garden is a 20 rai site situated in Lamphun, Northern Thailand. The garden is used for two main purposes; creating hand-carved terracotta art products and cultivating rare Thai plants. The terracotta art is modelled on ancient S.E Asian styles, with influences that include Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia. This has resulted in a wonderful hybrid art style, which the garden showcases.
Background history
Originally once a farm the site was developed in 1982 by the owner and artist Mr. Suttiphong Maiwan to become a production site for handicrafts and earthenware. The bricks produced are created in a traditional way (in Tao-Mang-Gorn”Dragon” ovens), using thick local clay. Mr. Suttiphong has created numerous sculptures and his work is influenced by Lanna, Thai, Hariphunchai and Khmer styles. His sculptures include bas-reliefs, high-reliefs, wall hangings, lanterns and archways, which are sold both domestically and internationally.
The photos below are some of the ones I have taken before the area was developed into how it looks now. This zone is now a cleaned up cafe area.
The Thai Plant Garden
As for the garden, this was created as a nature conservation area, specifically for the purpose of cultivating rare Thai plants. The flowers include Bonsai and are mentioned in Thai literature. (Previously there was also another garden created by Mr. Suttiphong in Chiang Mai city, known as the Baan Phor Liang Meun Plant Garden. * A little note* – This city garden was also the site for a scene in the 2015 movie “No Escape“, with Pierce Brosnan and Owen Wilson – which I was an “Extra” in!)
Image credit: Terracotta Gardens
A cafe and visitor facilities have now been put in place so visitors can enjoy the garden (free of charge). The site is also available for exhibitions & events.