Phitsanulok

       Phitsanulok is 377 kilometers. north of Bangkok. Phitsanulok is one of the most interesting northern provinces and is an important commercial, transportation and communications centre. Phitsanulok is situated on the geographical and administrative line uniting the Central and Northern regions.

      Phitsanulok was the birthplace of King Naresuan the Great of Ayutthaya, and his equally brave brother Prince Ekathosarot. Phitsanulok has long been an important centre for political and strategic reasons. Phitsanulok was a major place of recruitment when Ayutthaya waged war with Burma and a training ground for many Ayutthaya kings. Phitsanulok was also a capital of Thailand for 25 years during the reign of King Boromtrailoknart of Ayutthaya.

      Phitsanulok's climate is generally hot and humid. Phitsanulok borders Uttradit to the North, Pichit to the South, Loei and Phetchabun to the East, and Kamphaeng Phet and Sukhothai to the West. Phitsanulok province(Changwat) covers some 10,815 square kilometres.

ATTRACTIONS CITY ATTRACTIONS

        Wat Phrasi Ratana Mahathat This riverside temple is a major city landmark and houses Thailand's most beautiful and significant Buddha image, Phra Buddha Chinnarat. The image was cast in 1357 during the reign of King Mahatammaracha of Sukhothai. The beautiful mother-of-pearl inlaid doors were built in 1756 by King Boromakot of Ayutthaya. The Buddha Chinnarat National Museum in the temple compound houses a collection of Sukhothai art.

        Wat Chulamani The temple's corncob-shaped tower or Prang is wellknown among students of archaeology and history. The temple is Phitsanulok's oldest historical site. In a highly individual style and pattern, it boasts extremely interesting ornate and elaborate plaster designs found nowhere else in Thailand.

        Shrine of King Naresuan the Great This shrine is located in the compound of the Phitsanulok Phittayakom school. The seated figure of King Naresuan the Great pours lustral water from a golden container and ceremoniously declares Ayutthaya's independence from Burma. The shrine was built in 1961 on the site of the Chandra Palace where King Naresuan was born in 1555.

         Sergeant-Major Dr.Thawee BuranaKhet Folklore Museum Opposite the Buranathai Buddha Image Factory on Wisutkasat Road, this museum is well known for its collection of folk arts and crafts, basketry, pottery and ancient kitchen utensils. There are also many agricultural and household instruments displayed.

        Houseboats along the Nan River Phitsanulok has another name, Song Kwae. Song Kware means the town of two rivers. The 127 kilometres. long Nan River is Phitsanulok province's most important waterway. The Kwae Noi River also flows from the north and unites with the Nan River near Phitsanulok's down town area. The junction divides Phitsanulok into the East and West Banks. People gather on houseboats and raft houses along both sides of the major transportation route, and adhere to a traditional waterborne way of life.

      Rice Farming Roads surrounding Phitsanulok provincial capital permit views in June of ricefields when farmers in blue shirts, wearing straw hats, use water buffaloes to plough the rich black soil to cultivate Thailand's staple diet.

OUT-OF-CITY ATTRACTIONS ( Phitsanulok-Lomsak Road/Highway No.12)

        Sakunothayan Botanical Garden This park is situated at Kilometre 33, where a This right turn leads to a 500 meter access road. H.M. the King graciously bestowed the park name during a tour of the North in 1958. The picturesque Wang Nok Aen waterfall, some 10 metres high, cascades among rocks to create a beautiful and scenic site.

        Kaeng Song Waterfall This cascade is situated beside the road at Kilometre 44.

        Poi waterfall A sign at Kilometre 61 roads Suan Pa Khao Krayang and introduces a 2 kilometre access road to Poi Waterfall. Before reaching the cascade, one sees many species of flowering trees. Poi Waterfall is distinguished by copious flow and profuse rocky outcroppings.

        Kaeng Sopha Waterfall A laterite road at kilometre 70 branches off through forest some 2 kilometres beyond Thung Salaeng Luang National Park office. The waterfall is regarded as being the largest in the region.

        Thung Salaeng Luang National Park The park comprises one of Thailand's major large forest areas and spreads across some 789,000 rais in Phitsanulok and Phetchabun. The park office is located at kilometre 80 on the Phitsanulok-Lomsak Highway, a picturesque road that passes through lush green forests and high mountains.

        Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park This park spreads across areas of Phitsanulok, Phetchabun and Loei and formerly comprised a battleground between Thai government forces and communist insurgents. Hostilities have long since ceased, and the rugged area has been transformed into a national park of arresting scenic beauty. To reach the park from Phitsanulok, tourists should drive rented cars along the Phitsanulok-Lomsak Highway, turn left at Kilometre 68 onto the Phitsanulok-Nakhon Thai Road. After traveling some 24 kilometres, a right turn must be made at Ban Nong Krathao, some 28 kilometres beyond which the park office will be seen.

      Park attractions include Lan Hin Taek natural rock formations covered with orchids, ferns, moss and lichens and seasonal flowers that belie former hostilities, and provide scenic vistas of indescribable beauty, former communist buildings and encampments, and the park's natural beauty. The latter are by far the more interesting.

        Chat Trakan National Park The area covers 146,875 rais and a seven levelled waterfall is the source of the Kwae Noi river. The park is reached via the Phitsanulok-Lomsak Highway to kilometre 68, turn left, continuing for 38 kilometres to Amphoe Chat Trakan, a total distance of 135 kilometres.

Walking tour of Phitsanulok

      With this information, and a city map, you can walk around this interesting city by yourself, If ever your get lost or unsure of your whereabouts, just show this paper and point at names of places printed in Thai. Friendly Phitsanulok people will show you the correct directions. This walking tour covers some 3 kilometres and can be comfortably completed in about 2 hours.

      Begin the tour at Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat locally called Wat Yai , the major city landmark crected in 1357. The main chapel houses the magnificent golden Buddha image called Phra Buddha Chinnarat. The image is the most beautiful and significant one in Thailand. After savoring its beauty, do not miss the mother-of-pearl inlaid chapel doors built in 1756. Then circle the chapel clockwise to visit the Phra Buddha Chinnarat National Museum to inspect a number of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya period artifacts.

      Upon leaving the temple, Wat Nang Phaya and Wat Ratburana are on the left side of the road. The chedis or pagodas and chapels of the two temples are over 400 years old.

       After visiting the three temples, you may casually walk along the Nan River footpath. This river is one of Thailand's four major northern waterways which merge at Nakhon Sawan, 129 kilometres south of Phitsanulok, and form the Chao Phraya River which flows southwards to the sea through Bangkok.

      You may see many houseboats on the Nan River, Phitsanulok is the only place in Thailand where houseboats are legal for they existed long before municipal law. You can visit the Night Bazaar on Khunpirantoratap Road.

There you can enjoy the bustle of a typical Thai market. Some stalls see Buddha amulets in hundreds of shapes and sizes. Other sights include utensil shops. Turn left at Sai Lue Thai Road to the City Clock Tower . Proceed straight and turn left to Ekathosarot Road to the Phitsanulok Railway Station where a monument for an ancient steam locomotive comprises a focal point.

Beyond the Railway station, on Ekathosarot Road is the Municipal Market where several kinds of inexpensive and delicious foods, tropical fruits and Thai desserts are available. This is the end of your walking tour.

Samlor Tour

      This tour is specially designed for visitors to enjoy Phitsanulok's night time ambience. Three wheeled samlor cruise beside the riverside food bazaar where chefs deep fry morning glory vegetables and toss them some distance onto plates.

special Events

        The Phra Buddha Chinnarat Fair This homage-paying fair occurs at Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat. The fair includes folk performances and various local entertainment. The fair is staged on the sixth day of the waxing moon of the third lunar month, usually late February. The fair lasts for six days.

        Long-Boat Races Long-boat racing is customarily held on the Nan River in front of Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat during the first weekend of October.

Covering an area of 10,816sqkm (4,175sqmi), the province is divided into 9 districts. Phitsanulok's other name is Song Kwae, meaning town or province of two rivers. Nan River is the main one, running 128km (80mi) across the province. Kwae Noi River (named like the more famous river running through Kanchanaburi) joins the Nan River near Phitsanulok city. This joint river divides Phitsanulok city into two parts, the East and the West Bank. Along both banks of this main transportation artery of the province, people live on house boats and house rafts. Thousands of these houses lay afloat in the rivers while some are in the swamps along the rivers.

The climate of North Thailand is slightly different from (and more agreeable than) the climate of central and other parts of Thailand, mainly due to the region's elevation (300m, around 1000ft in the valleys). The cool season lasts from late October to the end of February. Average daytime temperature is 21? Celsius (70? Fahrenheit); nights are much cooler. The coolest months are December and January.

The hot season is from early March to end of May. Average daytime temperature is 30? Celsius (85? Fahrenheit). The hottest month is April. The rainy season usually begins early June and reaches to the end of October. Average temperature is 25.5? Celsius (77? Fahrenheit). The wettest month is September.