Situated in the Lower North some 345 kilometres from Bangkok, Pichit is accessible by both road and rail. Nurtured by two rivers, the Yom and the Nan running parallel to one another north to south, the land is agriculturally fertile. Once the site of an ancient town dating back almost a thousand years ago, Phichit has played in a major role in the history of both Sukhothai and Ayutthaya.
Known as the land of the crocodiles, it has been home to this ferocious reptile which has thrived in its waters. There are today several fresh-water crocodile farms. Phichit features in the Thai epic Krai Thong composed by King Rama II which tells of Chalawa
Phichit is administratively divided into the following districts: Muang, Pho Prathap Chang, Taphan hin, Bang Mun Nak, Pho Thale, Sam Ngam, Wang Sai Phun, Thap Khlo, Sak Lek, Dong Charoen, Bueng Na Rang and Wachirabarami.
History
The town Phichit was established in 1058 by Phraya Kotabongthevaraja, and was first part of the Sukhothai kingdom, and later of Ayutthaya.
The name of the main city changed several times. At first it was called Sra Luang (city of the royal pond), in Ayutthaya times it was called Okhaburi (city in the swamp), and then finally Phichit (beautiful city).
Symbols
The provincial seal shows a pond, which refers to the old name of Phichit, Mueang Sra Luang (meaning city at the royal pond). The Banyan tree in front refers to the temple Wat Pho Prathab Chang. The temple was built in 1669-71 by King Luang Sorasak, who was born in the village of Pho Prathab Chang, between a Banyan and a Sacred Fig.
The flag of Phichit shows the circular provincial seal in the middle. It has three green bars and two white horizontal bars, with the middle bar being interrupted by the seal.
Provincial tree is the Ironwood Mesua ferrea, provincial flower is the Lotus (Nymphaea lotus).
The provincial motto (loosely translated) states as follows:
The province of Chalawan the Crocodile King, the fun and exciting annual boat race, the land of exquisite rice and the delicious Tha Khoi pomelo; the center of the province is the Luang Phor Phet.
Administrative divisions
The province is subdivided in 12 districts (Amphoe). These are further subdivided into 89 subdistricts (tambon) and 852 villages (muban).
- Mueang Phichit
- Wang Sai Phun
- Pho Prathap Chang
- Taphan Hin
- Bang Mun Nak
- Pho Thale
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- Sam Ngam
- Tap Khlo
- Sak Lek
- Bueng Na Rang
- Dong Charoen
- Wachirabarami
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