The foundation was established in 2004 to provide education, promote Buddhist scholarship, and preserve heritage sites and culture in the historic province.

Narong Pattamasaevi, chairman of Montara Hospitality and chairman of the foundation, said he has spent more than Bt20 million of his own funds to preserve the heritage sites and old houses in Lampang.

“One hundred years ago, Lampang used to be the biggest international town in the northern region of Thailand. Many foreign merchants from Myanmar,India,England and China moved and settled here. [Today] we can [still] see much old architecture and old houses,”

More than 30 houses over a 100 years old survive on both sides of the Mae Wang River, while the province claims to have the most Myanmar-style temples in Thailand.

Narong grew up in this province before moving to run Montara Hospitality in Phuket, consisting of three properties – Trisara Phuket Villa and Residences, Boat House by Montara, and Trisra Academy .

He is returning this year to his childhood days to promote corporate social responsibility projects, focusing on art, culture and education. These activities will be promoted for guests staying at the two hotels in Phuket.

For education, the foundation continues to give scholarships to students at Assumption College, while supporting a learning centre and a laboratory at the schools. The foundation also provides a “library net programme”; a mobile library that serves education needs at 19 schools around Lampang.

For heritage and culture preservation, the foundation focused on preserving sites over 50 years old, built from century old hand-crafted teak wood.

There are excellence in architecture award sites, including temples in Lanna style. The foundation has helped renovate and build sallas at temples in the province.

Besides preserving temples, the foundation established its own Lampang Arts Centre as a venue for local artist exhibitions and craft workshops. The foundation bought the centre house and refurbished it for Bt 4-5 million.

It is now open to the public to visit without charge. The centre has become popular for art exhibitions, small events like weddings and engagement parties, as well as hospitality parties.

A minimum one-year advance booking is required due to the high demand for exhibition space.

Another centre recently unveiled is Baan Boriboon which the foundation bought years ago for Bt6 million and spent two years on renovation worth more than Bt10 million.

“Baan Boriboon is good for small meetings or private functions. We have received some bookings for this year,” Narong said.

Based on the original design, the family is working on the decoration and architecture details as well the long story of the house. It is aiming for international recognition, perhaps from Unesco.

Visitors to Lampang still total under a million so far, but the number is expected to rise due to a tourism campaign.

The family has no plans to build a hotel in the province but is watching for opportunity among the more than 100 hotels and guesthouses already on the market, totaling more than 2,000 rooms. Montara is negotiating with hotels in Bali, Myanmar and Maldives for management opportunities.