Uttaradit Attractions and Travel Guide

Attractions

Laplae

Laplae 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 the 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 Laplae is an attractive place to visit with interesting ancient sites and hand-crafted, materials. It is also a major producer of Langsat, the province's famous fruit.

Phu Soi Dao National Park 

Phu Soi Dao National Park covers an area of 149,375 rai and Amphoe Ban Khok, Amphoe Nam Pat, Uttaradit, and Amphoe Chat Trakan, Phitsanulok. Geographically, it consists of high mountains along the Thai-Lao border, whose summit is Phu Soi Dao which is 2,102 metres above sea level. Its topography consists of high mountains covered with undulating hill evergreen forest with prairie and pine forest such as the forest of Son Sam Bai (Pinus Kesiya). It is cool nearly all year with various kinds of wild flowers such as Ngon Nak (Murdannia giganteum) and Dok Din (Aeginetia indica), which grow in the pine forest of Phu Soi Dao. The national park can be visited all year. However, colourful flowers bloom during the rainy season. It is recommended to visit the park at the end of the rainy season and at the beginning of winter. Interesting attractions in the park are Namtok Phu Soi Dao, Lan Son and Namtok Sai Thip.

To get there: From Uttaradit, take Highway No. 1045. Pass Sirikit Dam to Amphoe Nam Pat, a distance of 68 kilometres. Then, take Highway No. 1239 to Ban Huai Mun for 47 kilometres. From there, take Highway No.1268 for 18 kilometres to Namtok Phu Soi Dao. It is the starting point of the walk to the Lan Son Summit. Accommodation and camping area are provided in the park. For more information, please contact Phu Soi Dao National Park at Tel. 0 5541 9234-5 or visit www.dnp.go.th

Wat Tha Thanon

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

Wat Klang

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

Uttaradit Provincial Cultural Hall

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.

Praya Phichai Dap Hak Memorial 
 
The Praya Phichai Dap Hak Memorial is installed in front of the townhall erected in honour of a hero. As governor of Muang Phichai (south of Uttaradit) about 200 years ago during the Thon Buri Period, the 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.

Wat Phra Yun Phutthabat Yukhon

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

Wat Phra Borom That Thung Yang 
 
Wat Phra Borom That Thung Yang is about three kilometres from town on Highway No.102. An old temple, it was once called Wat Mahathat. There is a large, circular-shaped, Ceylonese-style Chedi enshrining a Holy Relic.

Phra Si Phanommat Memorial 

The Phra Si Phanommat Memorial, in Laplae district, commemorates a community leader who was highly repeated 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.

Khlong Tron National Park

Klong Tron National Park is situated in an approximate area of 518.80 square kilometers, covering the areas of virgin forests in Thongsaengkhan District, Nam Pad District of Uttaradit Province. Apart from large canals and gullies, the National Park also has beautiful natural sightseeing spots including Huai Niam Waterfall, Kokmonkaew Waterfall, Tham Jan, Tham Jedee, Tham Suadao, Tham Phatang, Kao Phumiang, as well as cliffs, and provides recreational facilities. It  consists of high and low mountains. Major mountains of the National Park include Kao-phumiang, Kao-kwumrua, Kao-ngairua, Kao-samliam, Kao-yuak, Kao-thanon, Kao-daed, Kao-maipha, Kao-takbon, Kao-namyai, Kao-phakkhuang, Kao-jan. Kao-phumiang is the highest mountaintop (1,500 meters above the medium sea level) located in the east of the National Park, and being the source of major gullies flowing westward into the Nan River.

Wat Yai Tha Sao

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

Wat Thamma Thipatai

Wat Thamma Thipatai at In Chai Mi intersection is where the door panels of the large and ancient Vihan 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.

Wat Phra Thaen Sila At

A little further from Wat Phra Yun, some 14 kilometres from town is Wat Phra Thaen Sila At. The major feature is the base of a 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.

Bo Lek Nam Phi

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 believed 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.

Sak Yai Forest Park

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.

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