Uttraradit
Uttraradit General Information
A province in the Lower North, Uttradit has a long history developing through the years since pre-historic time.
The site of the original town, then called Bang Pho Tha It, was located on the right bank of the Nan River. It flourished as a port for goods transportation. As a result, King Rama V elevated its status into a province and re-named it Uttradit, literally the Port of the North.
Uttradit is located 491 kilometres from Bangkok and covers an area of 7,838 square kilometres and is divided into the following districts: Muang, Tron, Laplae, Phichai, Tha Pla, Nam Pat, Fak Tha, Ban Khok, and Thong Saen Khan.
Uttraradit Festival Information
- Langsat Day celebrates
Langsat Day celebrates the province's famous fruit. Langsat-growing has long been the main occupation of the local people. The fair is held in late September each year featuring exhibitions, contests and parades of floats decorated with fruits and flowers, as well as entertainment.
- The Tradition of Buddha Cremation
The Tradition of Buddha Cremation, 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.
Uttraradit Attactions Information
- 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.
- Namtok Mae Phun
The Mae Phun waterfall, located at Ban Ton Klua, is about twenty kilometres from town. The dam-like barrier creates multi-level cascades amid pleasant natural surroundings.
Beneath the waterfall is the Cyber Forest Protection Unit. From here, tourists must walk 105 kilometres to the waterfall.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Khuean Sirikit
Khuean Sirikit at Tha Pla district some 68 kilometres from town on the Uttaradit-Tha Pla Road, is the countrys 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.
- 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.
**Information Reference : tourismthailand.org
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