PHITSANULOK
Location : Northern, Thailand
Area : 10,815 0sq. km
Population : 844,508
Distance from Bangkok : 377 Kilometers
Transportation
By Car
a) From Bangkok, use Highway No. 1 to Wang Noi, then proceed to Nakhon Sawan Province along Highway No. 32 via Ayutthaya, Ang Thong and Sing Buri Provinces. After that, take Highway No. 117 to Phitsanulok. The total distance is 337 kilometers.
b) Take the same Highway to Sing Buri Province and switch to Highway No. 11 (In Buri-Tak Fa route), then turn into Highway No. 12 and proceed to Phitsanulok Province via Wang Thong District. The total distance is 450 kilometers.
By Bus
Buses depart from Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal (Mochit 2 Bus Terminal) to Phitsanulok.
Internet : www.transport.co.th
By Rail
Daily regular trains depart daily from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Railway Station.
Internet : www.railway.co.th
By Air
Thai Airways International operates several direct flights daily from Bangkok to Phitsanulok. The trip takes 40-45 minutes.
Internet :www.thaiair.com.
About Phitsanulok
Apart from its exceptional natural charisma, Phitsanulok provides visitors with an opportunity to explore notable chapters of Thailand's history. For example, remains of an ancient community dating back between 2,000-4,000 years, including old stone axes, was found here. In addition, the old temple of Wat Chula Mani, situated 5 kilometers south of the city, was built even before the Sukhothai Kingdom burst into power.
Place attraction
Amphoe Chat Trakan
Phu Soi Dao National Park
Phu Soi Dao National Park is located in both Chat Trakan district of Phitsanulok Province and Nam Pard District of Uttaradit Province. Occupying a total area of 48,962.5 rai of land (equivalent to 58,750 acres), the park stretches along the Thai-Laos border with the highest peak measured at 2,102 meters above sea level. The climate park is cool throughout the year and visitors are able to see several species of wild flowers.
One of the most distinctive features of the park is the savanna field amidst the dense pine trees. Another attraction worth visiting is the five-tiered Namtok Phu Soi Dao which is located quite near to the park office. Larn Paa Son which can be reached in 4-5 hours via mountainous trails is also a highly recommended place for an overnight stay. In addition, Namtok Sai Tip, the next waterfall on the way, is a place where visitors can marvel at moss and lichen covered cliff. Advanced notice to Park Officers is required and highly recommended. Call 05 541 9234-5 or email reserve@dnp.go.th for more camping and travel information.
Namtok Chat Trakan National Park
Located in Khao Ya Puk, approximately 145 kilometers from the city, Namtok Chat Trakan National Park occupies a total area of 146,875 rai of land (equivalent to 58,750 acres). This is the location of the famous 7-tiered waterfall which cascades down high mountain cliffs which have traces of carvings of pre-historic symbol. In addition, there is a beach and a pond suitable for swimming situated just in front of the waterfalls lowest tier.
To get to the national park take Highway No. 12 to Ban Yang. At Km. 68, turn left onto route No. 2013 which leads to Nakhon Thai District. Then proceed on route No. 1143 to Chat Trakan District. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Phitsanulok. It departs 7 times a day: 6.00 a.m., 7.20 a.m., 9.30 a.m., 11.30 a.m., 3.20 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. Visitors may camp out in the park with permission from the park officials. Call 05 523 7028 or email reserve@dnp.go.th.
Amphoe Wang Thong
Thung Salaeng Luang National Park
Against a backdrop of high mountain ranges is the Savannah-type grassland of Thung Salaeng Luang. Covering an area of 16 square kilometres, the park is naturally endowed with pine trees and wild flowers which blossom in virgin jungles. The parks mountain ranges are watersheds of several streams which are a source of the famous Maenam Nan. Its area spreads across Phitsanulok and Phetchabun provinces.
The park headquarters located at Km. 80 on Highway No. 12 is where information on the park and accommodations can be obtained. Most of the park's attractions are superb for trekking. The route starts from the sub-office at Ban Nong Mae Na (off Highway No.12 at Km. 100 marker) to Khao Kho.
The route allows visitors to enjoy the marvelous scenery of Thung Salaeng Luang and Thung Phaya grassland hemmed in by pine trees and lush forests. Another attraction along the way is Thung Non Son, a flatland located on top of the mountain, at the heart of the park. It is famous for its wild flowers which are in their full bloom from October through December. The flatland is accessible through a 16 kilometers clay road and a walking route of 15 kilometers from Ban Nong Mae Na. There is also a study trail at the Mae Na park station which is superb for exploring the entire ecological system of the park.
Kaeng Wang Nam Yen a 50 meter x 100 meter wide rapid, suitable for white-water rafting, is located about 5 kilometers from Nong Mae Na station.
Visitors who wish to stay overnight in the park are required to make arrangements with the park rangers in advance. Call 05 526 8019 or email reserve@dnp.go.th for more details.
Namtok Kaeng Sopha
This waterfall, Phitsanulok's largest, is located 2 kilometers off of Km. 70 marker along Highway No. 12. It is possible to walk around and explore the rocky surroundings especially during the dry season. This 2-tiered waterfall cascades down the steep cliffs to the rocks below providing a different ambience for every season.
Amphoe Nakhon Thai
Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park
Phu Hin Rong Kla is a distinctive national park with a unique mixture of scenic attractions and historical sites. It was once the stage of armed conflicts between two extreme political ideologies. The Park covers a total area of 191,875 rai of land (76,750 acres) and is approximately 130 kilometers from Phitsanulok city. It can be reached by taking Highway No. 12 and turning left at Km.68 marker into Highway No. 2013, a road leading to Nakhon Thai District.
The park area is mainly covered with lush green forests, several awesome waterfalls, and a vast plain of rocks with cracks scattered all around. The highest point of the park is 1,617 meters above sea level. Here, rock formations are naturally formed into different shapes beyond your wildest imagination. Some rocky grounds have deep splits (Lan Hin Taek), while others have uneven formations.
Apart from natural attractions, the park offers opportunities to explore many of its historical sites that tell the story of national political conflicts.
Because Phu Hin Rong Kla was the strategic headquarters of the Communist Party of Thailand (CPT) during 1967 to 1982, the area was declared as a red area by the Thai government. For nearly two decades, the site had become a strategic battlefield between the Royal Thai Army and the CPT. Phu Hin Rong Kla was the perfect location for the CPT to fight the military. Its remote, closed mountainous area was superb for an elusive defense. It was not until 1982 that the conflict was overcome when the government granted amnesty to all the students who had joined the CPT. In 1984, Phu Hin Rong Kla was declared a National Park.
During the CPT's golden era, a hospital, a school of political and political tactics, living quarters, an air-raid shelter and other necessary facilities were set up. Today, visitors to Phu Hin Rong Kla can travel along the parks main road to witness the remains of a rustic meeting hall, the political school, and the administration building.
There is also a trail leading to Lan Hin Pum, an area of jutting rocks that the CPT used as an air-raid shelter. From the spot, it is possible to see the remains of the CPT headquarters with a small museum displaying some CPT weapons and medical instruments. Follow another trail to Pha Chu Thong, the cliff where a red flag was raise when the CPT gained a victory.
Tourists or visitors wishing to stay overnight are advised to make advance reservations at the National Park Division, Forestry Department tel. 05 523 3527 or 02 561 4292, or email reserve@dnp.go.th. Accommodations and tents are available.
Map Of Phitsanulok provinces
