Phitsanulok

PHITSANULOK is a historic city in lower Northern Thailand, rich in cultural as well as natural attractions and capital of the province with the same name. It is located approx. 370 km north of Bangkok, halfway between the Thai capital and Chiang Mai. The city has a population of approx. 70000. The province featuring mountains, plains, forest and river basin. The Nan River is a lifeline of the province and runs through the provincial city.
Phitsanulok is a regional commercial and transportation hub. The city itself might not be the most exciting one, but it can be useful for stocking up on supplies and it is a good starting point to explore the ancient Thai capital of Sukhothai and other attractions in this province. In 1955 a fire destroyed big parts of the old town area. Later it was rebuilt with concrete midrise buildings. Agricultural development over the last hundred years has spawned an infrastructure in the urban areas of the province. It does bring an array of modern roads, universities, hospitals and other conveniences. The Nan River and its tributaries have also played a big role in the history and development of the region. It does provide a route for transportation, fertile soil for agriculture and water for irrigation.

HISTORY. The city dates back to the 10th century. At that time the Khmer ruled this region. Earlier it was named Song Khwae, which means two rivers, as it was located between the Nan River and Khwae Noi River. In the late 12th century, Nakorn Thai, near the center of the present Phitsanulok Province, was established as the capital city of the Singhanavati Kingdom, an early city state of Thailand. Later, during Thailand's Sukhothai Period, Phitsanulok emerged as a major city in the east of the Sukhothai Kingdom. Great temples were constructed, such as in 1357, when the renowned Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat was erected. Then the Ayutthaya Period witnessed the construction of several of the province's other chief temples. For 25 years Phitsanulok served as the capital city of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Phitsanulok became a strategic town in coping Burmese invasion again during the Thonburi Period in 1775. Chaophraya Chakri was later crowned the first monarch of the Rattanakosin Period, King Rama I the Great of the Royal House of Chakri.
In 1894 the city was upgraded to be a circle called Monthon Phitsanulok in the reign of King Rama V. Today Phitsanulok is a province.

GETTING THERE. Phitsanulok is served by daily domestic flights from Bangkok and the flight time is approx. 50 minutes. From the airport to down town it takes just 10 minutes by taxi or tuktuk. As Phitsanulok is on the railway line Bangkok - Chiang Mai some tourists choose the train when travelling to this province. It takes 5-6 hours from Bangkok, resp. 6-7 hours from Chiang Mai (depends on which train you book). The journey between Phitsanulok and the upper north is a very scenic ride through mountainous area. Extensive bus services connect Phitsanulok with Chiang Mai and Bangkok. From Bangkok buses take 5-6 hours for the journey. The bus from/to Chiang Mai takes about 6 hours. As it is a major transportation hub, there are regular services to neighboring provinces, such as Sukhothai, which takes just a bit more than one hour. Other surrounding provinces, which you can travel by bus are Tak, Phichit, Uttaradit, Phrae, Nan, Phetchabun, Loei and last but not least Khon Kaen, which is the gateway to the northeast (Isaan). From the train station or hotel in Phitsanulok to the bus station a bit outside the city taxis and tuktuks are ready to serve you.

ATTRACTIONS. In the city itself Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat (Wat Yai) is the most important temple in Phitsanulok and is the home of the famous Phra Buddha Chinnarat, one of the most revered Buddha figures in Thailand. The Buddha casting factory, the nearby Bird Park and the Folklore Museum are other places of interest in this provincial town. House boats on the Nan River were once a symbol of Phitsanulok, but now just a few are left. Some of them now function as restaurants. Outside the provincial town at Nakorn Thai District there are 3 national parks to visit. Thung Salaeng Luang National Park, Kaeng Chet Khwae Nationalpark and Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park. If you are looking for waterfalls, then Wang Thong District is the place to go. Kaeng So Pha Waterfall, Pao Waterfall and Sakunothayan Waterfall can be visited. Sappraiwan Elephants Sanctuary is another place of interest in Wang Thong District. About festivals. Not only Nan, but also Phitsanulok got its annual traditional long boat racing festival on the Nan River held in September/October.