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Thailand: Phitsanulok – The Forgotten City on the Nan River – VIDEO
Published: 7.10.2023
As you may have already noticed in the past works of the Thai series, I went to places where strangers would really come across by chance. You have already seen that the entire region of northern Thailand along the Laos border has much to offer. The Provincial City of Phitsanulok serves not only as an excellent base for further trips, but is also one of the oldest in the country.
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Phitsanulok is located less than 400 kilometers north of Bangkok on the Nan River. The easiest way to get there is by train to Chiang Mai or by bus. You can fly, but for so short a distance I think it is useless with all the airport procedures.
The history of the city as a significant crossroads began to be written in the 11th century, but the great boom occurred only in the times of the Thai kingdoms with centers in Sukhothaiand later Ayutthaya.
Unfortunately, the majority of the historical center fell victim to a major fire in 1955, fortunately, at least several important temples and other Buddhist monuments were preserved.
Do not miss a visit of Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat from the second half of the 15th century. For the vast majority, only bases have been preserved, but the original rise has remained, and several newer buildings have grown in the Temple area. There is also a museum where you can see mainly artwork from the Sukhothai Kingdom period.
The second of the temples to see there is Wat Ratchaburana, which was built the second half of the 15th century too. A major share of itwas preserved, most of the other buildings were built later. In one of the shrines you will see a collection of old coins, banknotes, musical instruments and various artistic objects.
Be sure to stop in the night market with lots of great food. At the same time, you can buy souvenirs or home gifts at very reasonable prices. As I mentioned at the beginning, tourists are mainly skirting in the wrong way, and you do not have to worry about high tourist surcharges.
Definitely have time to visit several waterfalls in the area and then head to the national parks further east, such as the Lan Hin Taek Stone Fields or Phu Tubberk, about which we have already written. You will not regret!
Let's end the latest series of articles and videos from near-uncharted by tourists parts of northern Thailand to end up in a region that surprised me most of all. In the vicinity of Loei and Phetchabun, you will find beautiful table mountains, beautiful jungles, waterfalls and amazingly nice and hospitable people.
Anyone who asks me where to from Chiang Mai, Thailand, gets the advice to visit Doi Inthanon national park. I recommend the very same trip also to you.
80 kilometers north of Bangkok there is Ayutthaya, former capital of the Siam empire, today's Thailand. Many historic temples and palaces make it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the area. We take a peak at it today.
The north of Thailand consists, for the most part, of beautiful mountains that rise to over 2 000 meters above sea level. Here you will find waterfalls, karst caves, ethnic villages and secluded Buddhist temples. Let's now go together to the Chiang Dao National Park and at the same time to the 3rd highest mountain of Thailand.
Let's explore the other less known places of northern Thailand together. Mountains, lakes, jungles, sunken villages and excellent food. This time in the video and the story, we head south to Chiang Mai to the interesting sandstone formations and the Doi Tao Lake.
An ancient city in northern Thailand, the history of which dates back to 1296, was famous for its more than three hundred Buddhist temples. Wat Chedi Luang in the very center of the city is one of the most famous, oldest and most visited, so let's take a look at it together.
Even in case of Thailand, the Chinese influence is felt very present. But the town of Mae Salong was founded by the Chinese in the mountains in the north of the country in the 1960s. From the beginning, he was mainly opiate, but today, you have an ideal opportunity to look at tea plantations and taste great food from Yunnan Province in South China.
Most visitors to North Thailand visit only Chiang Mai and its surroundings. A bunch of daredevils go to Chiang Rai or Mae Hong Son, sometimes someone stops at Phayao. Few people, however, take a trip to the province of Nan at the border with Laos, yet there are countless places to find.
The Phu Hin Rong National Park is home to countless beautiful places. Among other things, the unique stone formations Lan Hin Taek and Lan Hin Pum. Many Thais come here for the unforgettable sunsets and exits of Phu Tubberk.
Approximately 450 kilometers north of Bangkok you will find several unique table mountains, most of which protect national parks. One of the most interesting is Phu Hin Rong Kla, predominantly in the Phitsanulok province. Here you will find the unique rock formations of Lan Hin Taek, to which we are now going together.
Approximately 400 kilometers north of Bangkok, you will find the once powerful and fabulous but long-deserted city of Sukhothai. In the 13th and 14th centuries it served as the center of the first major empire on the territory of today's Thailand and Laos. Even though it has been abandoned for more than 200 years, it still breathes old glory and is definitely something to admire. Let's take a look at it together.
The climate in the mountains in the north of Thailand is very different to the south of the country. Mountains usually rise as high as 1500 meters. Temperatures can easily drop below 10 degrees Celsius in winter. That's why strawberries are grown here, for instance. The mountain climate is great for high-quality arabica coffee as well. About 50 kilometers from Chiang Mai town, there is a coffee plantation I went to visit. It was there where I finally realized how much work is behind one simple cup of coffee.
Ang Khang is an astonishingly beautiful area in the mountains slightly over three hours of ride from Chiang Mai. Thousands upon thousands of visitors from Thailand travel here. We didn't meet any foreign tourists during the whole day. Villages where ethnic minorities live, a botanic garden, tea plantation, and amazing vistas are all worth the long journey.
Endless beaches with white coral sand, countless of Buddhist temples, breathtaking mountain vistas, many kinds of exotic life, and vivid life in the capital.
Ko Lanta island is an ideal place for peaceful rest, or to enjoy cool tropical atmosphere of southern Thailand. Half-empty beaches, bungalows, and small pensions scattered across coconut groves will enchant you. The same applies to sleepy bars, restaurants, and there are also great possibilities where to dive, or you can visit a vast national park in the mountainous middle of the island. It will take you mere three hours to get there from the Krabi airport.
Krabi province in south Thailand has been more and more popular. Ao Nang resort and Ko Phi Phi are its greatest attractions. They offer splendid sceneries around limestone cliffs, many great bars, restaurants, and nearby are beaches like Railay, Ko Poda, and Ko Hong which are among the most beautiful in all Thailand.
When I was arriving at the center of Krabi province I didn’t expect much. Guidebooks don’t mention it at all and it is rather an obligatory stop for many travelers while transporting to local islands or to nearby Ao Nang resort.
The capital of Thailand belongs to largest cities in southeast Asia as there live 8,3 million people. Cheap flight transportation makes it a natural place from where to start travels to the region including countries like Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, or Malaysia. In my opinion, too bad than many travelers spend there a day or two and move on.
The night is setting upon the land, streets are going alive – with food. When I arrived at there, I was not hungry. But now I would eat just everything. Hundreds of variations of noodles and rice, various sea creatures, great grilled meat, lots of fruits and veggies. The Chinese Town in Bangkok chewed me and swallowed me.
I had never been particularly interested in Thailand. Yet me and my friend decided to give it a chance so we travelled to the land of smiles. When we got out of the airport to Skyline ground subway, Thais gave us adviced where to get a ticket, for how and they always smiled at us.
When talking about Thailand many think of beaches with snow white sand and never ending party in Bangkok. Only handful visit the north of the country and if they usually don't go anywhere beyond the towns of Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai. The entire north of the country has beautiful mountain ranges, wild nature, beautiful native villages, and best conditions for making a trip by bike. So let visit the northernmost national park in Thailand today - Doi Pha Hom Pok.
In the very north of Thailand, there is the town of Thaton laying on the River Kok. The river flows here from Burma. It flows at the edge of Doi Pha Hom Pok National Pakr. Then, between the mountains it runs to Chiang Rai, and then to the borderline with Laos where it flows into the Mekong. If you are one for some adventure, take a small boat from Chiang Rai to Thaton. The journey is great. It is an adventure which can continue in Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park.
Countless shrines, dozens narrow streets with beautiful old houses, luxurious hotels, museums, omnipresent food aromas, and the best coffee in Thailand. You will fall in love with Chiang Mai instantly. There are kind people, international atmosphere, and it is really clean in there.
When you say Chiang Mai people mostly think of Chinese lanterns, hundreds of them flying towards the full moon. I spend the better part of winter in this north Thai town. When I planned my journey there I didn’t hope for making it to see the festival. Eventually I made it. And it was the best experience of my life.
Ko Tao, a beautiful island in the Gulf of Thailand that is known as a diver’ paradise. When you arrive to the island, first things you will see are granite stones scattered around great part of the island, they basically create the island.