LAMPANG — 8 April 2026, Police in Lampang have introduced horse-drawn carriage patrols for the Songkran festival, combining local heritage with public safety efforts while reducing fuel consumption.
The initiative, led by Muang Lampang Police Station, deploys carriage patrols alongside conventional car and motorcycle units to maintain order, protect lives and property, and boost confidence among tourists during the holiday period.
Officers selected for the programme underwent training with the Lampang Carriage Association to learn how to handle and control horse-drawn carriages before being assigned to active duty. Patrols will focus on key routes, including Boonyawat and Thip Chang roads, as well as economic areas in the city centre.
Pol. Lt. Col. Thanee Tanjankul, deputy superintendent for prevention and suppression, personally tested the carriage patrols and led officers in field operations. He said the project aligns with policy set by provincial police chief Major General Phumiphan Nawatrakulpisut to enhance security during the festival.
Carriage patrols will operate alongside other units, providing supplementary and joint patrols, and in some areas replacing motorised patrols to help reduce fuel use amid high energy prices. Officers will also monitor sensitive locations such as gold shops, businesses and tourist sites across the city.
As part of the initiative, officers wear traditional-style police uniforms while on duty, reflecting Lampang’s unique identity as Thailand’s only province where horse-drawn carriages remain in use for tourism.
Carriages have been part of Lampang’s history since the reign of King Chulalongkorn in 1915, when they served as a primary means of transport between provinces such as Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Phrae. While they have largely disappeared elsewhere, Lampang has preserved the tradition and formally established its carriage association in 1952.


























































