Talk:Uttaradit/Listings

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Amphoe Mueang Uttaradit

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

To the east of town about 3 kilometres away on Samranrun Road is Wat Yai Tha Sao (วัดใหญ่ท่าเสา). It features and old Vihan with beautiful wood-carved door panels and lintels.

The Phraya Phichai Dap Hak Memorial (อนุสาวรีย์พระยาพิชัยดาบหัก) 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”.

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

Wat Klang (วัดกลาง), about three kiometres from Mueang 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.

Amphoe Laplae

Amphoe Laplae 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 handicraft materials. It is also a major producer of Langsat, the province's famous fruit.

The Phra Si Phanommat Memorial (อนุสาวรีย์พระศรีพนมมาศ), 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.

Wat Phra Borom That Thung Yang (วัดพระบรมธาตุทุ่งยั้ง) is about 3 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.

Wat Phra Yun Phutthabat Yukhon (วัดพระยืนพุทธบาทยุคล), 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.

A little further from Wat Phra Yun, some 14 kilometres from town is Wat Phra Thaen Sila Art (วัดพระแท่นศิลาอาสน์). 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.

Namtok Mae Phun (น้ำตกแม่พูล), located at Ban Ton Klua, is about 20 kilometres from town. The dam-like barrier creates multi-level cascades amid pleasant natural surroundings.

Amphoe Thong Saen Khan

Bo Lek Nam Phi (บ่อเหล็กน้ำพี้) 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.

Amphoe Tha Pla

Lamnam Nan National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติลำน้ำน่าน) is located in Phrae, Nan and Uttaradit provinces. It is a complex mountain range comprising of various kinds of abundant forests. It is also a water source of the reservoir above the Sirikit Dam. It covers a total area of 624,468 rai and consists of mixed deciduous forest, dry evergreen forest, hill evergreen forest and deciduous dipterocarp forest, where the leaves will transform into beautiful colours during winter and is a habitat of various types of animals such as barking deer, deer, wild boars, bears and more than 200 kinds of birds. Lamnam Nan National Park was announced a national park on 30 September 1998. The top of the park is the Phu Phaya Pho summit with a height of 1,350 metres. It forms a boundary between Phrae and Uttaradit. It is cool all year. There is heavy rain during May and September, while it is cold during winter.

Places of interest in Lamnam Nan National Park are as follows:-

• Sirikit Dam (เขื่อนสิริกิติ์) at Tha Pla district some 68 kilometres from town on the Uttaradit-Tha Pla Road, is the country’s large earthen dam. 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.

*Lamnam Nan National Park is accommodation and a camping area provided. For more information, please contact the Lamnam Nan National Park Tourist Information Office at Tel. 

0 5541 9236 or Office of the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department in Bangkok at Tel. 0 2562 0760 or www.dnp.go.th.

Amphoe Nam Pat

Phu Soi Dao National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติภูสอยดาว) 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

The Sak Yai Forest Park (วนอุทยานสักใหญ่) in Nam Pat district about 80 kilometres from town on Highways No. 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.

Khlong Tron National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติคลองตรอน) covers the area of Amphoe Nam Pat, Amphoe Thong Saen Khan, Uttaradit, which is 278,125 rai of unspoiled forest. It consists of gigantic canals and creeks. The general condition of the forest consists of dry evergreen forest, hill evergreen forest, pine forest, mixed deciduous forest and deciduous dipterocarp forest. Wildlife that can be discovered are Sumatran serows, bears, barking deer, mouse deer, etc.

To get there: From Uttaradit to Amphoe Nam Pat, take Highway No. 1045 for 68 kilometres. From Nam Pat District Office, take Highway No. 1212 (Huai Duea – Ban Phia) to Ban Ton Khanun for 23 kilometres to the national park. Khlong Tron National Park is situated at Mu 3, Tambon Nam Khrai, Amphoe Nam Pat or visit www.dnp.go.th. Interesting attractions in the national park are Namtok Khlong Tron, Namtok Huai Khom, Pha Phu Miang and Tham Chan.

Buy

Interesting items include woven materials (ผลิตภัณฑ์จากผ้าพื้นเมือง) with their lovely designs and colours, and preserved edibles made from local fruits such as chewy candy-like Kluai Kuan (กล้วยกวน) which a made from banana. They are available from shops in town and at Laplae district.

Festival

Phraya Phichai Dap Hak and Red Cross Fair (งานพระยาพิชัยดาบหักและงานกาชาด) is organized to commemorate the heroic deeds of Phraya Phichai during 7-16 January every year at Phraya Phichai Dap Hak Stadium. There are the Provincial Red Cross Centre’s booths selling products, traditional and cultural performances, various forms of entertainment and a ceremony to worship Phraya Phichai Dap Hak.

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

Sleep

Amphoe Mueang Uttaradit

• Friday (ฟรายเดย์) 172 Borom-at Road (Tel: 0 5544 0292-300), 147 rooms: 750-2,500 baht
• Nam Chai (นำชัย) 213/3 Borom-at Road (Tel: 0 5541 1753), 50 rooms: 140-180 baht
• P. Wanich 1 (พ.วานิช 1) 33-35 Phloen Ruedi Road (Tel: 0 5541 1008, 442180), 24 rooms: 170-300 baht
• P. Wanich 2 (พ.วานิช 2) 2/1-5 Si Uttra Road (Tel: 0 5541 1499, 0 5544 2181), 66 rooms: 140-300 baht
• P. Wanich 3 (พ.วานิช 3) 47-51 Charoenrat Road (Tel: 0 5541 1559), 24 rooms: 120-150 baht
• Siharaj (สีหราช) 163 Borom-at Road (Tel: 0 5541 4184-5, 0 5541 2223), 152 rooms: 750-2,500 baht
• Thanothai (ธโนทัย) 149-153 Kasemrat Road (Tel: 0 5541 1669), 20 rooms: 300-350 baht
• Uttaradit 2 (อุตรดิตถ์ 2) 438 Sila Art Road (Tel: 0 5541 1017, 0 5541 2726), 12 rooms: 150-230 baht
• Wiwat (วิวัฒน์) Borom-at Road (Tel: 0 5541 1778, 0 5541 1791, 0 5544 1966-70), 110 rooms: 240-550 baht

--(WT-en) globe-trotter 14:36, 5 February 2010 (EST)