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Phichit is situated in the lower Northern Region of Thailand. The name " Phichit " means " The Beautiful Town " It was probably founded by Phraya Khot Thabong in 1056. During the Sukhothai period (1238-1350), the community was named " Sa Luang " which was one of the important town of Sukhothai.

Phichit was named again in Ayutthaya period (1350-1767) as " Okhaburi" (Town in the Swamp) and it was the place where King Sanphet VIII or "Phrachao Sua" of Ayutthaya was born. Phichit was designated as a province during Rattanakosin (Bangkok) period, in the reign of King Rama V (1868-1910) Phichit occupies an area of 4,531.014 square kilometers and is located 345 kms. to the north of Bangkok.

Attractions:
Built on the west bank of the Nan River within town limit in 1845, Wat Tha Luang today houses Luang Pho Phet, a Chiang Saen-style Buddhist statue cast in bronze.

Bung Si Fai is a large fresh-water lake to the south of town. It is a Fishery Department's facility to breed fresh-water. Along the banks is a delight-fully landscaped park suitable for rest and recreation. The scenery is at its most scenic in the early morning and late afternoon. On the other side of the park is an aquarium exhibiting species of native fish and local fishing equipment. An eye catching sight is a gigantic, crocodile shaped structure within which is a space which can be used for meetings.

About 7 kilometres from town on the Phichit-Wang Chick road (no. 1068) is Utthayan Muang Kao Pichit The park features an ancient town dating back more than 900 years. Most of the structures discovered were built during the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya periods. The old town is surrounded by city walls and moats. During the Sukhothai period it was called Muang Sa Luang situated on the original bank of the Nan River before the river changed its course, which was the reason the town itself was moved to the new bank in circa 1881 during the reign of king Rama V. In the town centre is Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat with its large bell-shaped Chedi inside of which have been found hundreds of votive tablets. In front of the Chedi are remains of a Wihan. There are score of small Chedis scattered around the site.

Wat Nakhon Chum is some 9 kilometres from town on the Phichit Wang Chik road . Built in the Sukhothai period about 800 hundred years ago, it features an old Ubosot built with brick and mortar with the upper parts in wood. Instead of windows, there are narrow openings for ventilation throughout the wall, similar to temples of the Ayutthaya period. In the Ubosot is a large Sukhothai-style Buddha statue once used as the principal statue in oath-taking ceremony pledging allegiance to the monarch.

Wat Khao Rup Chang is located along the Phic-Taphan Hin road some 15 kilometres from town. On the hilltop is an old, Ayutthaya-style Chedi built of bricks but with its top part now broken. There is also a Mondop, the wall murals of which have largely faded faded away. The Mondop houses a bronze Holy Relic.

An old temple in Pho Prathap Chang district is Wat Pho Prathap Chang located about 27 kilometres from town on route #1068 to the south. It was built by Phra Chao Sun, an Ayutthaya king, in 1701 at a site reputed to be his own birth-place. Although abandoned for almost 300 years the remaining traces are indicative of past splendors such as a huge Wihan with its walls still standing but now roofless and small Chedis scattered over the site. The entire site is surrounded by double walls and huge trees some of which are over 200 year old.

Tapan Hin is the most commercially advanced district of the Nan River located on the bank of the Nan River some 30 kilometres south of the provincial seat on Highway No .113 it can also be reached via train. The most prominent sight of the district is the 34 metre-tall golden Buddha statue the Luang Pho To, at Wat Thewaprasat on the Nan river bank opposite the Tapan Hin market. There are ferry services across the river.

About 12 kilometres from the district town of Pho Tha-le, or 60 kilometres south of Phichit town, is Wat Bang Khlan. It was the resident temple of the highly revered monk, the late Luang Pho Ngoen. A statue of the Luang Pho Ngoen continues to receive homage from the public. The Chai Bowon Museum inside the temple collects ancient items such as votive tablets, Buddha statues and earthenware for display. lt is open only Saturday and Sunday.

Phichit's Phra Kruang, Phra Kruang (Buddhist Votive tablet) is regarded as lucky charm to ward off danger and to give good fortune. Those found in Phichit are highly regarded and in great demand by collectors and believers. The making of such votive tablets in Phichit is an art handed down through the centuries. As Phichit was strategically situated and an assembly point for forces from Ayutthaya to move up north to conquer the North, and local manpower was constantly mobilised to join the army, the practice of making such talismans to ward off harm became prevalent. Genuine Phichit Phra Kruangs today are hard to find. Replicas are therefore made instead.

Major Events:
Boat racing is a traditional event of long standing. It is usually held after the homage-paying rites to the province principal Buddha statue during September each year on the Nen River in front of Wat Tha Luang.

Local Products:
Fruit-growing is one of Phichit major occupations. Among its more well known produce are pomelo, jack-fruit, Krathon and Maprang. Fruits are also used in making several kinds of products.

Som O (pomelo) is probably Phichit's most well-known and best-selling fruit. Grown mainly in Pho Prathap Chang district, it has a mixed sweet and sour taste and has no seeds. The flesh is pinkish. There are two seasons for pomelo - October and April. The peels of young pomelo are made into jam-like sweets, highly popular as a snack.

Makham Kaeo is another highly popular buy. The tamarind fruits are turned into a kind of candy which has a pleasant taste of sourness, saltiness, sweetness and slight pungency.

A popular handicraft of the province is the colourful hand-woven fabric. Reasonably prices, it is widely available at Ban Pa Dang in Taphan Hin district.

How to get there:
Car
a) From Bangkok, take Highway No. 1 and Highway No. 32 to Nakhon Sawan, and then proceed to Phichit via Highway No. 1118 (passing Chum Saeng, Bang Mun Nak and Taphan Hin), a total distance of 345 kilometres.

b) From Bangkok, take Highway No. 1 and Highway No. 32 to In Buri, and then use Highway No. 11 to Phichit via Tak Fa, Nong Bua, Khao Sai and Sak Lek, a total distance of 344 kilometres.

c) From Bangkok, take the same route as (2). When arriving Khao Sai, turn into Highway No. 113 to Phichit via Thap Khro and Taphan Hin.

Bus
Both air-conditioned and non air-conditioned buses depart from Bangkok’s Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal to Phichit every day. Call 0 2936 2852-66 for more information.

Train
Regular Trains departs from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Railway Station to Phichit many times daily. Call 1690 for more information.

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