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Phetchabun Attractions
 The
rolling green hills, similar to those in Switzerland,
of Khao Kor was once a major clashing
point between the Thai military and the Communist
forces that hid and resided among the densely
forested hills. Sites of interest include the
different viewing points, the Jeen Haw Memorial,
the Weapon Museum, a Khao Kor Memorial dedicated
to those who sacrificed their lives fighting here,
the Khao Kor Royal Palace, Sridit Falls, Rattanai
Reservoir, Khao Kor open zoo, and Nern Mahasachan
(Amazing Cliff).
The highly revered Phra Phut
Maha Thammaracha is considered to be the city’s
protector and housed at Wat Traiphum,
near the heart of the city. The locals found the
ornamental Lopburi-style Buddha image in the Pasak
River in front of the temple and conducted a religious
ceremony to invite the image to reside at the
temple. Later, it disappeared but was eventually
found at the bottom of the Pasak River at the
original site, resulting in an annual celebration.
The city’s principal and
oldest temple is Wat Mahathat. Believed
to date from the Sukhothai era, it contains a
14th century, Sukhothai-style chedi. When the
Fine Arts Department renovated the chedi in 1967,
they discovered numerous Buddha images from many
eras. Also housed within the temple grounds are
2 Buddha images from the U-Thong period.
Phitsanulok Attractions
 Wat
Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, the province’s
most important temple, was built on the banks
of the Nan River in mid-14th century. Also called
Wat Yai, the temple complex originally housed
a Sukhothai lotus bud chedi that was later replaced
by the tall Ayutthayan prang that is seen today.
The wiharn houses the famous Phra Buddha Chinnarat,
one of the most highly revered Buddha image in
all of Thailand, second only to the Emerald Buddha.
Made of gilded bronze and dating back from the
14th century, the serene figure is a supreme example
of late Sukhothai art, regarded as the Kingdom’s
most beautiful Buddha image that has served as
the model for many other Buddha images. It was
cast in the attitude of subduing evil.
Across the road, a linking compound
connects Wat Ratchaburana and Wat Nang Phaya,
both believed to date back to the city’s
founding days. While Wat Ratchaburana features
faded 19th century murals depicting scenes form
the Thai Ramakien folklore inside its bot (prayer
hall), Wat Nang Phaya is known for the special
“Phra Nang Phaya” votive tablets with
the form of a 3-headed nagas decorated on their
eaves.
Phrae Attractions
 A
stairway flanked on both sides with nagas (dragon-like
serpents) and stone singhs (lions) lead through
the teak forest up to the hilltop Wat Phra That
Cho Hae, a popular pilgrimage site. Dating back
from 12th-13th century, the temple is named after
the satin-like cloth (cho hae) that worshippers
wrapped around the 33-m tall gilded chedi at the
annual fair. Inside the chedi is the revered Phra
Chao Than Chai, believed to grant wishes. Also
see the beautiful lotus and star-shaped colored
glass mosaics.
Phae Muang Phi (Ghost Land) is
a popular excursion to view the surreal, unnatural
Mars-like landscape of rock formations. Soil erosion
has produced large, weird mushroom-shaped pillars
rising up from the baked ground, in part resembling
a miniature Grand Canyon. Local legend says the
ghost land is haunted by those who lost their
way in this desolated place.
Sukhothai Attractions
 Having
gained recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage
site, the Sukhothai Historical Park is situated
at the actual site of the ancient kingdom, with
many of the important ruins located within the
walled Royal City in the middle of the entire
layout. Ruins of royal palaces, temples, city
walls, moats, dams, ditches and other infrastructures
have been well preserved and constantly restored
to display the magnificent beauty of Thailand’s
cultural heritage. Best way to enjoy the park
is on bicycles.
The King Ramkamhaeng Monument
is situated north of Wat Mahathat. The bronze
statue of the king sits on a throne with a base
relief documenting his life. The king was the
creator of the first Thai alphabet.
Tak Attractions
 Nearby
is a staute of King Taksin the Great, a former
governor of Tak who mobilized the Thais into successfully
reunited the nation after the Ayutthaya fell to
the Burmese in 1767. To the north of Mae Sot is
the Taksin Maharat National Park, featuring a
steeply descending trail to the huge krabak tree,
measuring 50 m tall and a girth of 16 m. The park
is a haven for bird watching. Another park highlight
is the 9-tiered Mae Ya Falls.
In mid-19th century, Burmese and Shan merchants
from Burma crossed the Moei River to establish
Mae Sot as a prosperous market town. In recent
years, trade in hardwood and gems have brought
considerable wealth to the town, though it has
still retained the feel of a frontier town. Because
of its location and history, the town has been
heavily by the Burmese, evident in temple architecture
and market goods. The border markets here is a
magnet for all travelers.
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