Phrae Thailand Travels

Phrae is one of the most ancient cities in Thailand, an old establishment having been founded in the same period as Sukhothai and Chiang Mai. The town was built over 800 years ago , allegedly by Tai Kern and Tai Lue people. It is laced with romance and enchants visitors with the famous love legends called “Phra Lor” and “Phu Chana Sibtid.”

The former name was Wiang Kosai, which means “Silk Cloth.”

Phrae has an overall area of 6,538.6 aquare kilometers, and is administratively divided into 8 Amphoes (Districts) : Amphoe Muang, Rong Kwang, Wang Chin, Song, Long, Sung Men, Den Chai and Nong Muang Khai. The municipality is located 555 kilometers from Bankok.

How to get there

By Car Take the Bangkok – Nakhon Sawan – Phitsanulok – Denchai –Phrae Highway for 555 kilometers.

By Bus The 9 hour journey from Bangkok can be made on

airconditioned coaches and non - airconditioned buses originating from the Northern Bus Terminal on Bangkok’s Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road (Tel : 02 – 2171101 – 5 for further details).

By Air

Tourist Attractions

Muang District (อำเภอเมือง)

Wat Luang and Museum (วัดหลวง และ พิพิธภัณฑ์) is located in town and was built at the same time that the town was founded. Wat Luang means “grand temple.” In the grounds are several revered ruins like the holy pagoda and a venerable Buddha statue. This Buddha in graceful and built in the Chiang Saen style. There in also a museum containing many valuable and holy relics and antuques, such as Buddha images, porcelain objects, and ancient swords and armour. The Museum is open only on Saturday from 9 am - 4 pm

Wat Chorm Sawan (วัดจอมสวรรค์) is located in town and features one of the Burmese – style temples built during the reign of King Rama V under the direction of a Burmese architect. It took 5 years to build and contains Buddhist inscriptions. It is considered the most beautifulstructure in the Lanna region. Besides its structural beauty, it contains 2 rare and unique holy artifacts. There is the ivory Buddhist bible (teachings) which is carved in Burmese on 16 sheets of ivory. There is also a Buddha basket made of bamboo and covered with sheets of gold. This may be the only one of its kind left in the country.

Wat Sa Bor Keaw (วัดสระบ่อแก้ว) is situated on Namkue Road near the moat of the town. This temple has an exotic and beautiful pagoda. The marble Buddha image is also in Burmese style. It is a splendid temple.

Wat Phrathat Chorhae (วัดพระธาตุช่อแฮ) is the most famous temple

in Phrae. It is located in the Muang District on a hill outside the town, about 9 kms to the east. It is currently being renovated by the Fine Arts Department.

Also of great interest is Wat Phrathat Chorm Jaeng, an ancient temple which is sometimes called “the temple of predawn” and is located on Doi Tong hill, about 12 kms away from the town centre. It is one of the oldest temples in the province and was built in 1331 B.C.

Other Chedis (pagodas) of interest include Wat Luang, Wal Srabo Kaew, and several Laotian style temples, such as Wat Sri Bhum, Wat Pong Sunan, Wat Phra Non and Wat Phra Bat Ming Muang.

Vongburi House (บ้านวงศ์บุรี) is located in town, and was built in 1897

by Phya Burirath , who was the past lord of Phrae, of presentation to his daughter Chao Sunantha and son – in – law Luang Pongpiboon. The house is still in family hands. It is a teak 2 - story Thai – European style fine architectural house. An outstanding feature is the elaborate woodcarving decorations both inside and outside. These woodcarvings were originally built with the house. Inside the house are the original family’s household articles e.g. furniture, silverware, earthenware, and important documents. The house was awarded “an excellent conservation of the year 1993” award by the Society of Siam Architecture under Royal Patronage and a picture of the house was published in famous magazines e.g. Tourism Authority of Thailand Magazine, Sawasdee, Heritage Home of Thailand etc. The house is open daily to the public from 9 am – 5 pm with a permission charge of 20 Baht / person. Tel (054) 620153

Local Museum (พิพิธภัณฑ์พื้นบ้าน) Near the town on Phrae – Sung Men Road, in the same area as Baan Fai Restaurant, this museum is a replica of the type of houses of the people existing about 100 years ago.

Pra Tab Jai House (บ้านประทับใจ) Located in town is the biggest Thai – style house constructed with over 130 teak logs in 1976. Each log is about 300 years old. Inside is elaborate northern – style woodcarving. Open daily from 8 am – 4 pm with charge of 10 Baht / person , Tel (054) 511008.

Tung Hong Village (หมู่บ้านทุ่งโฮ้ง) This is a village located in the Muang District area about 3 kms away from on Highway No. 101. It is renowned for its good quality “Mohom” farmer shirts in cotton fabric, the favourite local preduct purchased by tourists in Phrae.

Rong Fong Village (หมู่บ้านร่องฟอง) is only 6 kms from town. As soon as you arrive, you can hear the sound of metal being worked in every home. There are 662 families in Rong Fong Village, and 90% of the men work as blacksmiths making knives, hand scythes, picks and spades. 95% of the women are seamstresses making pants, shirts and sportswear.

Pong Sri Village (หมู่บ้านโป่งศรี) is located on Highway No.101 near the Rong Fong village. It is known for its extraordinary antique shops and a Batik silk factory.

Phae Muang Phi (แพะเมืองผี) is regarded as Thailand’s Grand Canyon and is located about 18 kms from the town on Highway 101. Muang Phi (Thai meaning “the City of Ghosts”) is noted for its fantastic rock formations. Some local villagers still believe that this area is haunted by phantoms. It is a quiet place and nobody wants to live around there. However, it is well worth a visit for those who appreciate spectacular natural rock formations. Muang Phi is actually a shallow depression in the ground where soil erosion has produced strange chimney – like shapes that give the impression of dwelling on some alien planet.

Sung Men district (อำเภอสูงเม่น)

Mae Man Reservoir (อ่างเก็บน้ำแม่มาน) is 20 kms from Muang District following the Phrae – Den Chai Road. It is a big reservoir and especially beautiful in the early morning when the sun is rising. Hua Dong Market (ตลาดหัวดง) Located in Sung Men District. Is a centre for woodcarving and other teakwood products.

Wang Chin District (อำเภอวังชิ้น)

Wiang Kosai National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติเวียงโกศัย) is located on Highway No. 1023 about 80 kms from Muang District. The National Park contains many attractions : -

- Mae Kerng Luang Waterfall (น้ำตกแม่เกิ๋งหลวง) which is a large waterfall with 7 levels and drops 213 meters from the first to the last level.

- Pang Pa Kluay Waterfall (น้ำตกปางป่ากล้วย) is a medium waterfall on the way to Hopea Forest. There is a Nature Study Camp site for up to 300 students and visitor accommodation.

Long District (อำเภอลอง)

Teenjok Weaving Cloth Villages (หมู่บ้านทอผ้าตีนจก) These villages produce intricate and beautiful designs both on cotton and silk. This cottage industry may be found in homes throughout Baan Natum, Baan Namon and Baan Hua Thung.

Doi Phaklong National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติดอยผากลอง) is located on the side of Highway No.1023 about 20 kms. From Muang District. The National Park contains many places of interest

- Kangluang (แก่งหลวง) means “big cataract”. It is a large deep pond carved out by the Mae Yom River. It refills annually with the monsoon overflow. The river hurls spray into the air as it strikes a rock hill mid stream. With a mountainous background it is a most scenic site.

- Erawan Cave (ถ้ำเอราวัณ) , not far from Kangluang is also a place of interest. Erawan Cave is regarded as a wonderful place. To visit this cave, you must cross the Mae Yom River and go on foot, climbing about 200 metres up the mountain. It is like a wide hall with a high ceiling and beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. One huge rock looks like the Erawan Elephant. Standing at the entrance of the cave, it is cool and comfortable. Apart from Kangluang and Erawan Cave, if you cross the Mae Yom River and walk for 2 kms, threr is a range of hilltribe villages, such as Lisu and Akha. The fascinating hilltribe culture includes costumes, music, dancing, crafts and ghost gates.

- Hat Wang Ngeon (หาดวังเงิน) is a sandy beach which is upstream from Kangluang. It is the starting point of float rafts of logs down the Mae Yom River to Kangluang.

- Maharat Rocks Garden (สวนหินมหาราช) Located at Doi Phaklong National Park office, it is a wide, bare area having many rock shapes,both large and small,like a lunar surface. There is a hall for relaxation and food shops for refreshments.

- Coral Park Mountain (ภูเขาหินปะการัง) This is otherwise called Fong Hin Tak and is located at doi Phaklong National Park, 18 kms from Phrae. Coral Park Mountain was caused by the Earth’s movement and upthrust with sculpting erosion over billions of years.

District (อำเภอสอง)

Thart – Pra – Lor (ธาตุพระลอ) is the most important ancient remains in Song District. According to legend, literary information, and archeological evidence, it’s inferred that Thart – Pra – Lor is the site where a grest love was commemorated in funeral flames. Memorislized are the principal actor and actresses of Thai literature, Li – Li – Pra – Lor, Pra – Lor and the two sisters, Pra – Puean and Pra – Paeng. Their love triangle ended with sadness, the same as Shakespeare’s literary Romeo and Juliet.

Mae Yom National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติแม่ยม) is 20 kms from Song District. There are natural resources of ecological importance, beautiful flora and fauna, and especially, the wonderful rapids spilling over a wide exposure of primarily Basalt rock. The sharp and eroded basalt becomes such a great beauty, it is called “Kaeng Sur Ten” (river rocks) by native legend.

Visitors can go on a picnic, relax or camp in this charming area. There is a natural creation on the top of a big hill called “Lom Dong” . It’s a big swamp that has retained water for years. Geologists surmise that Lom Dong was formed by the action of the earth’s crust.

The swamp area is enriched by a valuable teak forest nearby. The forest It called “The Most Beautiful Teak Forest.”

Mae Song Reservoir (อ่างเก็บน้ำแม่สอง) is the largest reservoir in Phrae. It is 12 kms to the north of Song District. There is a beautiful deciduous and evergreen forest. The hills surrounding the reservour are very scenic. The highest hill is “Pha Pee pha Nong” , a prominent cliff at the edge of the peaceful, deep, clean and clear Mae Song Reservoir. The reservoir capacity is 65.8 million cubic meters.

Dragon – fly Lsland (เกาะแมลงปอ) is a very beautiful island in the Mae Song Reservoir. Trees and grasses, that were submerged, have become on appropriate habitat for many species of Dragon – fly. The environmental beauty of the water depths and upthrust hills is enhanced by the lovely roving dragon – flies.

Rong Kwang District (อำเภอร้องกวาง)

Siam Currency Museum (พิพิธภัณฑ์เงินตราสยาม เวียงสรอง) is 39 kms from Muang District. It has been a collection place for Thai currencies since the era of Thawarawadee, Sriwichai, Sukhothai and part of the Ratanakosin era. There are more than 2,000 pieces of ancient objects, for example, the title deeds of land in the era of The Fifth King Rama as well as The Royal Materials and ancient appliances.

Pha Nang Koi Cave (ถ้ำผานางคอย) This cave is 200 metres in length, and naturally decorated with beautiful stalagmites and stalactites. One of the stalagmites looks like a woman holding her baby. Villagers call it “Nang Koi” (lady waits) This is the scene of a great legendary to a common soldier and she was then punished and put in jail while she was pregnant. The common soldier, her husband, went to help and took her to hide in this cave. He was killed when he went out to find food. She sat holding her baby and waited for her husband until her body turned to rock.

Huai Rong Waterfall (น้ำตกห้วยโรง) This attractive three – levelled large waterfall , is located in the area of Rong Kwang District on Phrae – Nan Road , 81 kms from Muang District. Besiteds this waterfall, there are some others such as, Ngoen and Sao Wa Waterfalls which are the favourites of tourists in general.

Accommodation (สถานที่พัก)

Muang District (Area Code : 054 Postal Code : 54000)

NOTES : A – AIR CONDITIONED , F – FAN

ALL RATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE

Busarakham Hotel (โรงแรมบุษราคัม) 39/12 Rajdamnoed Rd., Tel. 511437 , 24 Rooms

Bua Khao Hotel (โรงแรมบัวขาว) 8/1 Charoen Muang Rd.,Tel. 511372 , 30 Rooms

Kanchana Hotel (โรงแรมกาญจนะ) Charoen Muang Rd . ,Tel. 511504 , 25 Rooms

Mae Yom Palace Hotel (โรงแรมแม่ยมพาเลส) 18/16 Yantarakit Kosol Rd., Tel. 521028-36 Fax.522904 ,140 Rooms

Nakorn Phrae Tower Hotel (โรงแรมนครแพร่ทาวเวอร์) Muang Hit Rd., Tel. 521321 Fax. 523503 ,140 Rooms

Nakorn Phrae Hotel (โรงแรมนครแพร่) 69 Rajdamnoen Rd., Tel. 511032 , 250 Rooms

Paradorn Hotel (โรงแรมภราดร) 177 Yantarakit Kosol Rd., Tel. 522340 , 57 Rooms

Sawasdikarn Hotel (โรงแรมสวัสดิการ) 76 – 78 Yantarakit Kosol Rd., Tel. 511032 , 30 Rooms

Siriwattana Hotel (โรงแรมศิริวัฒนา) 158 Charoen Muang Rd., Tel. 511047 , 25 Rooms

Thung Sri Phaibon Hotel (โรงแรมทุ่งศรีไพบุลย์) 152 Charoen Muang Rd., Tel. 511011 , 60 Rooms

Thep Viman Hotel (โรงแรมเทพวิมาน) 226 - 228 Charoen Muang Rd., Tel. 511003 , 52 Rooms

Den Chai District

Namlam Garden Resort (น้ำแรมการ์เด้นรีสอร์ท) Yantarakit Kosol Rd., Tel. 01 – 4730983

Saeng Sawang Hotel (โรงแรมแสงสว่าง) Yantarakit Kosol Rd., Tel. 613367 , 14 Rooms

Restautants (ร้านอาหาร)

Baan fai (บ้านฝ้าย) Yantarakit Kosol Rd., Tel. 523114

Chang Pha Dan (ช้างผาด่าน) Nakorn Phrae Tower Hotel Tel.521321

Chat Chai (ฉัตรไชย) 388 M.2 Nam Thong Tel. 626217

Muagn Plae (เมืองแพล) PharaDorn Hotel, Tel 511177

Nakornphrae Coffee Shop (นครแพร่คอฟฟี่ช๊อฟ) Nakorn Phrae Hotel, Tel. 511122

Ruenton (เรือนต้น) Mae yom Palace Hotel , Tel.521028-36

Ruen Nam thong (เรือนน้ำทอง) 445 / 5 M.2 Phuket Rd., Tel. 627591

Suan Sai Thong (สวนไซทอง) 262 M.10 Den Chai – Uttaradit Tel.613458

Tung Keow (ทุ่งแก้ว) 1 / 4 M.3 Chorhae Rd., Tel. 523460

V.I.P. Golden Club (วี.ไอ.พี.โกลเด้นคลับ) 3/6 M.6 Ratutid Rd.,Tel. 623070

Souvenir Shops (ร้านขายของที่ระลึก)

Baan Fai (บ้านฝ้าย) Yantarakit Kosol Rd., Tel. 523114

Baan Pratabjai (บ้านประทับใจ) Rob Muang Rd., Tel. 511088

Kohom Phetchare (หม้อห้อมเพชรา) 310/1 Moo 2 Baan Tunghong , Tel. 521783

Nok Noi (นกน้อย) Yantarakit Kosol Rd., Tel. 511008