Uttaradit, Thailand

A province in the Lower North, Uttradit has a long history developing through the years since pre-historic time.

The site of the original tow, then called Bang Pho Tha It, was located on the right bank of the Nan River. It flourished as a port for goods transportation. As a result , King Rama V elevated its status into a province and re-named it Uttradit, literally the Port of the North.

Uttradit is located 491 kilometres from Bangkok and covers an area of 7,838 square kilometres and is divided into the following districts: Muang, Tron, Laplae, Phichai, Tha Pla, Nam Pat, Fak Tha, Ban Khok, and Thong Saen Khan.

 

Attractions:
Wat Thamma Thipatai at In Chai Mi intersection is where the door panels of the large and ancient Wihan of Wat Phra Fang are kept. The panels, made of wood, measure 2.2 metre wide x 5.3 metre high. The carved design is of the graceful style of the Late Ayutthaya Period. They are rated as the second best such creation next only to those at Wat Suthat in Bangkok.

Located in town on the Nan River bank is Wat Tha Thanon which houses Luang Pho Phet the principal Buddha statue of the Chiang Saen style and cast in bronze.

To the east of town about three kilometres away on Samranrun Road is Wat Yai Tha Sao. It features an old Wihan with beautiful wood-carved door panels and lintels.

The Phraya Phichai Dap Hak Memorial is installed in front of the town hall erected in honour of a hero. As governor of Muang Phichai (south of Uttaradit) about 200 years ago during the Thon Buri period, he valiantly fought with Burmese evaders until one of his swords broke in two. But he prevailed over them. Hence the sobriquet "Phichai of the Broken Sword".

Once the official residence of the provincial governor, the Uttaradit Provincial Cultural Hall houses important historical relics. A major item is the "Yan Mat" a carved wooden carrying pole made by Late Ayutthaya Period craftsmen.

Wat Klang about three kilometres from Muang district at Tambon Ban Kae, is an old temple with beautiful plaster bas-reliefs over the Ubosot. lnside are rare wall murals of the Early Rattanakosin Period style depicting the Jataka and assemblage age of celestial beings.

Lap Lae District can be reached from the provincial town by taking Highway No. 102, taking a right turn after about 3 kilometres onto Highway No. 1041 and continue on for a further 6 kilometres. The site was originally an ancient community during Ayutthaya Period. It served as a secret hide-out for people in Phrae and Nan who fled from enemy or calamity as its location was sandwiched in between mountains. Today Lap Lae is also a major producer of Langsat, the province's famous fruit.

The Phra Si Phanommat Memorial in Lap Lae district, commemorates a community leader who was highly respected by the townspeople. The Chinese-descended tax collector on alcohol products contributed tremendously to the development of the community and was rewarded with the rank of Phra Si Phanommat from King Rama V.

Wat Phra Yun Phutthabat Yukhon near Wat Phra Borom That Thung Yang, features a Chiang Saen-style Mondop which covers a pair of holy footprints. It also houses a Sukhothai-style Buddha statue cast in bronze.

A little further from Wat Phra Yun, some 14 kilometres from is Wat Phra Thaen Sila Art. The major feature is the base of the sermon platform built with laterite. The square slab with pattern is believed to have been made during the Sukhothai Period.

Annual celebrations are held at the three temples in February.

Mae Phun Waterfall. Located at Ban Ton Klua, is about twenty kilometres from town. The dam-like barrier creates multi-level cascades amid pleasant natural surroundings.

Sirikit Dam at Tha Pla district some 68 kilometres from town on the Uttaradit-Tha Pla Road. Built to dam up the Nan River, the dike is 800 metres long. Beyond the dam is a large lake with beautiful scenery. During the cool season, the attractively landscape terrain bursts out in a profusion of colourful flowers and blooms. There are accommodation and boating services available.

The Sak Yai Forest Park in Nam Pat district about 80 kilometres from town on Highways Nos. 1045, 1146 and 1047, features the largest teak tree in the world. It has a circumference of 9.87 metres and is believed to be about 1,500 years old. Unfortunately, its top has been broken of by storm but the trunk still stands.

Bo Lek Nam Phi is the source of the best quality steel which was used to fashion swords and weapons in the past. Today, there are still two "wells" in existence. Ores from these two sources are believe to have been used to make swords for kings only. This ancient site can be reached by going for a distance of 42 kilometres to Thong Saen Khan district and continue for another 14 kilometres on Highway 1245.


Local Products:
Interesting items include woven materials with their lovely designs and colous, and preserved edibles made from local fruits such as chewy candy like Kluai Kuan (made from banana). They are available from shops in town and at Lap Lae district.


Festivals:
Langsat Day celebrates the province's famous fruit. Langsat-growing has long been the main occupation of the local people. The fair is held in late September each year featuring exhibition, contests and parades of floats decorated with fruits and flowers, as well as entertainment.

The Tradition of Buddha Cremation a religious ritual seen nowhere else, is held at Wat Phra Borom That Thung Yang after Wisakha Bucha day in May. It features the re-enactment of the funeral ceremony for the Lord Buddha.

How to get there:
Car
a) From Bangkok, take Highway No. 1 (Phahonyothin) and Highway No. 32 to Nakhon Sawan via Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Sing Buri, Chai Nat, then use Highways No. 117 and No. 11 to Uttaradit via Phitsanulok.
b) From Bangkok, drive to In Buri, then turn into Highway No. 11 (In Buri-Tak Fa route) and proceed to Uttaradit via Phitsanulok.

Bus
Air-conditioned buses and non air-conditioned buses depart from Bangkok’s Mochit 2 Bus Terminal to Uttaradit daily. Call 0 2936 2852-66. Private bus companies which operate daily bus services to Tak are such as Win Tour (Tel: 0 2936 3753-4), Choet Chai Tour (Tel: 0 2936 0199).

Train
Trains depart from Hua Lamphong to Uttaradit every day. Contact Bangkok Railway Station Tel. 1690, 0223 7010, 0 2223 7020.

Air
Bangkok Airways flies from Bangkok to Mae Sot , 86 kilometres from Tak.
For more information, call 0 2229 3456 – 63 or 0 5564 7225-6