Chao Fa Ham Kumarn Monument

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: The outdoor monument area is accessible throughout the day

 

Chao Fa Ham Kumarn Monument is located in Moo 7, Ban Thong Thap Lae, Fai Luang Subdistrict, Laplae District, Uttaradit Province. It is one of the most culturally meaningful landmarks in Laplae, a district known for its legends, fruit orchards, old communities, and strong local identity. The monument was built to honor Chao Fa Ham Kumarn, the legendary first ruler of Laplae, whose story is deeply connected with the origin of the hidden town and the moral value that has long shaped the image of Laplae: honesty.

 

According to local legend, Chao Fa Ham Kumarn was a noble figure associated with northern Thai royal lineages. Stories describe him as a ruler who led his family and followers to settle in a secluded land surrounded by mountains and forests. This hidden settlement later became known as Laplae, a town remembered in folklore as a place where people lived simply, peacefully, and honestly. The legend of Laplae is strongly associated with the rule against lying, a moral theme that remains one of the most recognizable cultural ideas linked to the district.

 

Chao Fa Ham Kumarn is remembered as the legendary first ruler who laid the foundation for order, justice, and ethical living in the town. His leadership is described through values rather than military power alone. He is honored for wisdom, compassion, and the ability to guide people toward a life based on truthfulness, modesty, and mutual trust. For this reason, the monument is not only a memorial to a legendary ruler, but also a symbol of the moral identity of Laplae.

 

The legend of Laplae has many layers. It is part history, part folklore, part geography, and part moral teaching. The name Laplae often brings to mind a mysterious hidden town, women of Laplae, widows’ houses, and the strict rule against dishonesty. These stories have helped shape the cultural personality of the district for generations. Chao Fa Ham Kumarn stands at the center of this narrative as a founding figure whose memory connects the people of today with the legendary beginning of their hometown.

 

The monument is set in a calm and green area in Fai Luang Subdistrict. Unlike large urban monuments surrounded by heavy traffic, this site offers a quieter atmosphere that suits reflection and respectful visits. The surrounding space is simple and modest, matching the spirit of Laplae as a place associated with sincerity and humility. Visitors can pay respect, take photographs, and spend time absorbing the peaceful surroundings without rushing.

 

One of the most valuable aspects of Chao Fa Ham Kumarn Monument is its role as a learning site. It helps visitors understand that Laplae is more than a district with famous fruit or attractive scenery. It is a community with a strong narrative foundation. Through the monument, travelers can explore how legends become part of local identity, how moral values are passed from one generation to another, and how a community preserves memory through public space.

 

The area around the monument is also connected with the landscape of Laplae. Hills, orchards, local roads, and small communities help visitors imagine why this region has long been associated with a hidden town. The quiet natural setting gives the legend a stronger presence. For travelers who enjoy cultural routes, this atmosphere makes the visit more meaningful than a quick stop for photographs.

 

The monument is also important to the local community of Fai Luang. It is used as a cultural and ceremonial space during special occasions, community events, and local learning activities. In this sense, the monument remains alive in community life. It is not simply a statue from the past, but a place where people gather, remember, and pass on local history to younger generations.

 

A visit to Chao Fa Ham Kumarn Monument is best understood as a doorway into the cultural heart of Laplae. Standing before the monument, visitors encounter the idea that a town can be shaped not only by geography and economy, but also by stories, values, and shared memory. The words “honesty” and “love for one’s hometown” become more tangible here because they are connected with a real place, a local legend, and the continuing respect of the community.

 

Travelers interested in history should combine this monument with Laplae Museum and the old town area. Laplae Museum presents local ways of life, traditions, wisdom, and cultural heritage, while the monument represents the legendary beginning of the town. Together, these places provide a fuller understanding of Laplae, balancing folklore with cultural evidence and community memory.

 

Laplae is also a destination for local food. After visiting the monument, travelers can continue to the market area or nearby restaurants to try dishes such as khao phan phak, mi phan, khao khaep, and northern-style food influenced by Laplae’s local lifestyle. Food adds another layer to the journey because it allows visitors to experience the town through taste, not only through stories and monuments.

 

Several attractions can be visited on the same route. Mae Phun Waterfall offers a refreshing natural stop with flowing tiers and greenery. Wat Phra Thaen Sila At is one of Uttaradit’s important sacred sites. Wat Phra Borom That Thung Yang is an old temple associated with local faith and history. Laplae Museum explains the district’s cultural background, while Laplae City Gate is a familiar landmark for visitors entering the town. Together, these places create a balanced itinerary of legend, history, nature, and local life.

 

Getting There is convenient from Laplae Market intersection. Take Highway 1043 toward Mae Phun Waterfall. Continue until Wat Mai appears on the right-hand side, then turn left into the lane opposite the temple and continue for about 800 meters to reach the monument. The route is suitable for private cars, motorcycles, and local hired transport. Visitors starting from Uttaradit town can first drive toward Laplae District and then continue to Fai Luang Subdistrict along the Mae Phun Waterfall route.

 

Some parts of the road pass through community areas and routes leading toward natural attractions, so careful driving is recommended, especially in the evening or during rainy weather. Visitors should use a navigation map together with local signs and plan the trip during daylight hours if they want to continue to Mae Phun Waterfall or other nearby attractions.

 

The best time to visit is in the morning or late afternoon when the weather is more comfortable and the light is pleasant for photography. A half-day trip may include the monument, Mae Phun Waterfall, and local food in Laplae. A full-day route can also include Laplae Museum, Wat Phra Thaen Sila At, and Wat Phra Borom That Thung Yang.

 

Visitors should treat the monument respectfully. Dress modestly, avoid climbing on the monument base, keep the area clean, and park only in appropriate places. If a community ceremony or local activity is taking place, follow the guidance of local officers or community representatives. Respectful behavior helps preserve the dignity of the site for residents and future travelers.

 

The significance of Chao Fa Ham Kumarn Monument lies in the way it gives physical form to the legend of Laplae. A story once heard from elders, local texts, or community memory becomes a place that visitors can actually reach and experience. The monument helps keep the legend alive by connecting it with a landscape, a community, and a continuing sense of local pride.

 

For cultural travelers, this monument is a valuable stop because it reveals how Laplae preserves its identity through legend and public memory. It is a place where visitors can understand the importance of honesty, humility, and love for one’s homeland in the local worldview. The visit may not take long, but the meaning of the site stays with those who wish to understand the deeper character of Laplae.

 

Chao Fa Ham Kumarn Monument is therefore not merely a monument to a legendary ruler. It is a symbol of a town that values truthfulness, respects its ancestors, and keeps its cultural memory alive. For anyone exploring Laplae District, this is one of the places that helps explain the soul of the town most clearly.

 

 

A: It is located in Moo 7, Ban Thong Thap Lae, Fai Luang Subdistrict, Laplae District, Uttaradit Province.

 

A: Chao Fa Ham Kumarn is remembered in local legend as the first ruler of Laplae and a founding figure linked with the town’s value of honesty.

 

A: The monument honors the legendary founding ruler of Laplae and serves as a learning site for local history, folklore, and cultural identity.

 

A: No. Visitors can pay respect and visit the monument area without an admission fee.

 

A: From Laplae Market intersection, take Highway 1043 toward Mae Phun Waterfall, turn left into the lane opposite Wat Mai, and continue for about 800 meters.

 

A: Nearby attractions include Mae Phun Waterfall, Laplae Museum, Laplae City Gate, Wat Phra Thaen Sila At, and Wat Phra Borom That Thung Yang.

 

A: Morning or late afternoon is recommended because the weather is more comfortable and the light is better for photography.