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Home > Thailand Info > Northern Region
Northern
Region
 Phetchabun
is rich with waterfalls, rivers and lakes. Dams have
been built to prevent flooding and control irrigation,
creating popular scenic picnic and recreation areas
around the reservoirs.
However,
it is the mountains that draw tourists. The rolling
peaks of Khao Khor, known as Little Switzerland,
were once a battlefield against communist insurgents.
Today, its beautiful scenery and cool
weather attracts many visitors, to see the mountain-top
army base turned into a museum, and enjoy trekking in
the open zoo and non-hunting areas.
The national parks of Phu Hin Rong
Kla, with its stunning rock forma-tions, and Nam
Nao, whose forests are home to many large animals and
birds, are now starting to attract more and more
trekkers and eco-tourists.
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Founded
in the 13th century,Sukhothai was the first
capital of Thailand (then Siam), which enjoyed
a golden age under King Ramkhamhaeng, credited
with creating the Thai alphabet. The superb
palaces, temples and monuments of this great
city have been lovingly restored |
in
Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage
Site and a must-see for all travellers. Ramkhamhaeng
National Museum contains an outstanding collection
of the arts and crafts of Sukhothai, including
statues, Buddha images and old celadon found
within the old city. Important sites inside the
old city walls include: Wat Mahathat, the
royal temple with a giant chedi built to house Buddha
relics brought from Sri Lanka; Wat Sri Sawai
with its three Hindu-style prangs; Wat Traphang
Thong in the centre of a large pond and its
Buddha Footprint; Wat Sa Si, an attractive
temple on connecting islands with a large Singhalese
chedi. Wat Traphang Ngoen on the Silver Lake
is the scene of the Loi Krathong festival.
To
the north is Si Satchanalai Historical Park, a
restored old city of temples, monuments
and statues in the same vein as Sukhothai, but
not quite as grand. The area is full of
ancient kilns, particularly around Sawankhalok,
the birthplace of celadon pottery, and many
beautiful pieces unearthed are on display at the
Celadon Kiln Conservation Centre. At over
1,000 metres above sea level, Ramkhamhaeng National
Park is an environmental delight, with forest
and hills combined with archaeological sites
and interesting ruins.
Tak
is a large mountainous province with a long
border touching Myanmar, giving a strong
Burmese influence to the area.
Tak's main attractions are the lakes and
waterways that crisscross the region. Popular
cruises take visitors from the Bhumibol
Dam, whose |
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lake
is the largest in Southeast Asia, through to Doi
Tao in Chiang Mai. This leisurely cruise passes
through spectacular scenery of mountains and waterfalls
for over 140 kilometres.
Two national
parks along the Mae Sot Road are popular with visitors.
Taksin Maharat National Park features viewpoints,
streams, cascading waterfalls and abundant
wildlife, while Lan Sang has beautiful falls, walking
trails and picnic areas.
Serious
travellers journey further, however, to the tiny
village of Umphang, perched on the Myanmar
border. This is the start of a remarkable adventure
of whitewater rafting, trekking, elephant
riding, mingling with hilltribes and the sight of
Thailand's most breathtaking falls, Ti Lo
Su.
The
southernmost of the northern provinces,
Uthai Thani only becomes mountainous
in the western parts - the location
of the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary
that merges with the Thung Yai
Naresuan Sanctuary to create
the largest protected animal reserve
in Southeast Asia. The town is
located on
the bank of the Chao Phraya River.
Wat
Ubonsatharam, located on an island
in the river, has some beautiful old
murals.Wat Sangkat Rattanakhiri
houses a very beautiful Buddha
image fromthe Sukhothai period,
and the temple is the setting
for the Tak Bat Devo festival marking
the end of Buddhist Lent. |
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Originally
a port on the River Nan, Uttaradit is a pretty
provincial town, whose main temple, Wat
Tha Thanon, houses the very sacred Luang Pho Phet,
cast during the Chiang Saen period. Wat
Thamma Thipatai has huge intricately carved wooden
doors, over two metres wide and five metres
high.
Lap
Lae District is famous for its Teen-Jog design
handwoven fabric, while the
biggest teak tree in the world can be found
Nam Pat District.
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