Phetchabun’s
City Pillar Shrine has been brought over from the ancient town
of Si Thep and is considered the oldest such structure in
Thailand.
Huai Pa Daeng Reservoir
The Huai Pa
Daeng Reservoir was created by the dam constructed to block the
waterway to the west of town for irrigation purposes. Some 8
kilometres from town on Highway No. 2006, it is a pleasant place
for recreation and picnic with scenic natural views in the
background, particularly in the morning and late afternoon.
Tat Mok National Park
The Tat Mok
National Park has a huge waterfall fed by streams flowing down
cracks and crevices of the mountains creating a beautiful
12-level fall. On both sides of the trails leading up to it are
large, shady trees providing a pleasant surrounding. To reach
the park, take off from town past the town hall to the east for
some 15 kilometres to Ban Chaliang Lap. Then take a right turn
onto Highway No. 2275. After just 300 metres is a left fork
leading to an access on to steep slope for a distance of 20
kilometres. From here another 1.8 kilometres on foot to arrive
at the waterfall.
Wat Mahathat
Wat Mahathat
is located on Nikon Bamrung Road in town. The temple houses a
number of ancient chedis of Sukhothai style.
Wat Trai Phum
Wat Trai Phum on Phetcharat Road features a Buddha statue called
Phra Buddha Mahadhamaracha cast in the ornamental Lop Buri
style. The ritual bathing of the Buddha image or the traditional
Um Phra Dam Nam ceremony is held during September each year.
Lom Sak
Pho Khun Pha Muang Memorial
The Pho Khun
Pha Muang Memorial at Lom Sak district in the north of
Phetchabun commemorates this former ruler or the area, which was
a contemporary of Sukhothai.
Phu Hin Rong Kla
Lom Sak
District is the starting point to go to Phu Hin Rong Kla to the
west. As the route is quite steep, extreme care should be
exercised in driving. Phu Hin Rong Kla is a popular destination
located along the Phitsanulok and Phetchabun borders and offers
exotic scenery. It was once the base of communists resurgents
fighting against the government some twenty years ago.
Si Thep
Si Thep Historical Park
Some 130
kilometres south of Phetchabun on Highway No. 21, and with
another 9 kilometres after a left turn, is the Si Thep
Historical Park. Si Thep is an ancient town where many
architectural structures still remain indicative of its past
prosperity during the 11th-18th Buddhist Centuries. It was
once the centre of contact between the Dvaravati kingdom in
the Central Plain basin and the Khmer kingdom in the
Northeast. A twin-city, there were over one hundred ancient
sites all built with bricks and laterite, most of which have
crumbled. There are also remains of several ponds spread out
all over the area. Most of the ancient relics recovered are
parts of architectural nature such as elaborate lintels,
plastered designs and Sema stone (used to mark out limits of
Buddhist temples) and human skeletons still adorned with
ornamental pieces.
Nam Nao
Nam Nao National Park
The Nam Nao National Park is an immense tract
of forest still in perfect condition. With pineries,
grasslands and virgin jungles, it is habitat to large number
of animals and more than 100 species of birds. During
December-January, the mercury could drop to as low as 2-5
degrees Celsius. The park headquarters is about 50
kilometres to the west of Lom Sak district on Highway No.
12. Points of interest are spread out. Attractions reached
by taking Highway No. 12 (Lom Sak-Chum Phae) include:-
Tham Pha Hong,
300 meters off the main road at Km.39 to the north. Within
the caves are formations of stalactites and stalagmites. It
is also a point from which to view the scenery at sunset.
Ban Paek Pinery,
5 kilometres by foot off the main road at Km.49.
Phu Kum Khao Pinery, 15 kilometres off the main road at
Km.53. Dense rolls of pine trees cover an area of about 10
square kilometres. Namtok Heo Sai and Namtok Sai Thong are
located on the same route. Both waterfalls can be reached on
foot for a distance of 1 kilometre and 1.5 kilometres
respectively off the main road at Km. 67.There are also
attractions on Highway No. 2216 (Lom Kao - Huai Sanam Sai)
such as Pha Lom - Pha Kong cliffs which are 5
kilometres from the main road at Km. 40 and the Tham
Yai Nam Nao cave near Km. 60.
Khao Kho
Khao Kho
Khao Kho
is made up of mountain ranges to northwest of town about
1,174 metres above mean sea level covered in the main by
deciduous plants. Very cold during November-February, it
once was the base room which communist insurgents conducted
their struggles against the authorities during 1968-1982.
Today it is accessible via two routes; off Highway No. 12
(Phitsanulok - Lom Sak) at Ban Camp Son with a further
distance of 30 kilometres of off highway No. 21 at Ban Na
Ngua, about 13 kilometres from town with a further distance
of 30 kilometres. Both routes wind through considerably
steep terrain. Interesting places include various viewing
points, remains of communist bases and buildings, war
memorial, arms museum, a Chedi containing Holy Relic and the
Si Dit waterfall.
Rai B.N.
Rai B.N.
is a private agriculture plantation growing cold-climate
crops, including various flowers which alternately bloom
throughout the year. It is situated on the route to Khao Kho
3 kilometres from Ban Camp Son and fruit-based items for
sale.
