Phetchabun Province

Infobox Thai Province
name = Phetchabun
thai = เพชรบูรณ์
capital = Phetchabun town
area = 12,668.4
arearank = 9th
population = 965,784
population_as_of = 2000
populationrank = 19th
density = 76
densityrank = 55th
isocode = TH-67
governor = Direk Thuengfang
governor_since = 2002
map

Phetchabun ( _th. เพชรบูรณ์) is one of the northern provinces ("changwat") of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Loei, Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum, Lopburi, Nakhon Sawan, Phichit and Phitsanulok.

Phetchabun is a province in the lower northern region of Thailand. It is situated between the northern and the central region. From historical evidence, it is believed that Phetchabun was established by two kingdoms – namely the Sukhothai Kingdom, and the
Ayutthaya Period of the great King Narai. Initially the province was called "Phe-cha-buth" as "Phuenchapura", which means the city that is plenty of crops. Thanarutleasakon, k. (2002). Pra – wat – tai – sart – Thai – ched– sib – hoke – jung -wat [Thai history of 76 provinces] . Bangkok : One World Publishing.] The reason for being given such name is because the province is very fertile and full of natural resources. Because of the fertility of the land, Phetchabun has always been agriculturally productive area. Today, Phetchabun is a province with rich tourism potential such as fascinating nature, prosperous history for more than 1,400 years and indigenous traditional ceremonies. Pibunying, P. (2006). Petchabun [Phetchabun province] . Bangkok: Bangkok Publishing.]

Administrative divisions

The province is subdivided in 11 districts ("amphoe"). These are further subdivided into 117 subdistricts ("tambon") and 1261 villages ("muban").

Khao Kho

The most engaging national park of Phetchabun Province is Khao Kho National Park, about 1 hour northwest of Phetchabun town. It was designated to be " Little Switzerland" from many visitors, because of beautiful scenery and cool weather like Switzerland.Phetchabun Rajabhat University.(n.d.).The exotic place you can meet. Retrieved January 26, 2007, from http://www.clickphetchabun.com] It was once a battle field against communist insurgents conducted their struggles against the authorities. Its charming scenery and great weather allure tourists to see the mountain – top, army base turned into a museum, a Chedi containing a holy relic and enjoy trekking in the open zoo and non – hunting areas.Thai Tour Info Co.,Ltd. (n.d.). Tourist attraction. Retrieved January 26, 2007 , from http://www.thai-tour.com/thai-tour/North/Petchabun/main.htm]

Nam Nao National Park

Fifty kilometers from the west of Lom Sak District is Nam Nao National Park. It is immense tract of forest still in its original state. Maxober.(n.d.). Petchabun Town. Retrieved January 26, 2007, from http://www.tourismmart.com/attraction/attraction_result.asp] It is filled with pineries, glasslands and virgin jungles. Nam Nao Park is a huge conservation park where people can learn about plants, wild animals or outdoor activities. Visitors can touch with the great nature and a large number of wild animals closely with trekking. If not, Nam Noa is a paradise of people who love to watch the birds. It is habitat for more than 100species of birds. The winter is the most popular season that a great deal of tourists usually come to visit because they can touch with the beautiful sea of frog and the alluring of the forest with many varieties of trees. Pibunying, P. (2006). Petchabun [Phetchabun province] . Bangkok: Bangkok Publishing.] The mountains and forests create a cooler climate in the park. The daytime, temperatures are very pleasant with an average annual
temperature of 25 Degree Celsius. The coldest month is being November that temperature as low as 0 degree celsius among the frost and beautiful pineries.Maxober.(n.d.). Petchabun Town. Retrieved January 26, 2007, from http://www.tourismmart.com/attraction/attraction_result.asp]

Phu Hin Rong Kla

North along the border between Phitsanulok Province and Phetchabun Province, Phu Hin Rong Kla is a national park with scenic attractions and historical significance. In the past, it was the stage of armed conflicts due to political differences between the Thai people. Phu Hin Rong Kla's climate is similar to Phu Kra Dung and Phu Luang.Because of its high attitude, the park is cool all year round. In the cool season, when temperature can occasionally drop to freezing point, mist can cool and pleasant. The deciduous trees and cold flowers attract many tourists.Maxober.(n.d.). Petchabun Town. Retrieved January 26, 2007, from http://www.tourismmart.com/attraction/attraction_result.asp]

Than Thip Waterfall

Waterfalls are everywhere and easily to find. Than Tip waterfall Forest
Park is located in Baan Than Tip, Bung Num Tao District, Amphoe Lom Sak. It is the forest park of 8,750 rais in Khao Plok Lon Forest Reserve. In general, the area consists of steep and high mountains ranging. The mixed deciduous forest in the area is fairly rich.Maxober.(n.d.). Petchabun Town. Retrieved January 26, 2007, from http://www.tourismmart.com/attraction/attraction_result.asp] In the rainy season, the water is swift and brimful. For tourists who love excitement, this is a great answer for them. Visitors can go downstream along the rapids current that call "Long Kang." It is an exciting activity of Than Thip waterfall that serves to acrobatic visitors.Pibunying, P. (2006). Petchabun [Phetchabun province] . Bangkok: Bangkok Publishing.]

Si Thep Historical Park

Some 130 kilometres south of Phetchabun on Highway Number 21, is the Si Thep Historical Park. Si Thep is an ancient town where many architectural structures still remain to indicate its past prosperity during the 11th – 18th
Buddhist centuries. It was once the centre of contact between the Dvarravati Kingdom in the central Plain Basin and the Khmer Kingdom in the Northest. A twin-city, there were over one hundred ancient sites all built with bricks and laterite, most of them have since crumbled.Thai Tour Info Co.,Ltd. (n.d.). Tourist attraction. Retrieved January 26, 2007 , from http://www.thai-tour.com/thai-tour/North/Petchabun/main.htm] There are also remains of several ponds spread out all over the area.Pibunying, P. (2006). Petchabun [Phetchabun province] . Bangkok: Bangkok Publishing.] Most of the ancient relics recovered are parts of architectural nature such as elaborate lintels, plastered designs and sema stone and human skeletons still are adorned with ornamental pieces. Samuttiya,B. (2001). Pare – Naer [Northern of Thailand] . Bangkok : Thaiwattanapanish Publishing.] In 2000, it got a Thailand Tourism Award for guaranteeing welfare of culture and ancient buildings.Tourism Authority of Thailand. (2005). The tourist information of Phetchabun. Retrieved January 26, 2007, from http://www.tat.or.th/province.asp?prov_id=67]

Tourism

ites

Wat Mahathat (วัดมหาธาตุ) on Nikon Bamrung Road in town houses a number of ancient chedis of Sukhothai style.

The Phetchabun City Pillar Shrine (ศาลหลักเมืองเพชรบูรณ์) has been brought over from the ancient town of Si Thep and is considered the oldest such structure in Thailand.

Wat Trai Phum (วัดไตรภูมิ) 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.

The Huai Pa Dang Reservoir (อ่างเก็บน้ำห้วยป่าแดง) was created by the dam constructed to block the waterway to the west of town for irrigation purposes. 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 (อุทยานแห่งชาติตาดหมอก) 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.

The Pho Khun Pha Mueang Memorial (อนุสาวรีย์พ่อขุนผาเมือง) 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 (ภูหินร่องกล้า) is a popular destination located along the Phitsanulok and Phetchabun borders and offers exotic scenery. It was once the base of communist’s resurgent fighting against the government some twenty years ago.

Si Thep Historical Park (อุทยานประวัติศาสตร์ศรีเทพ) is an ancient town where many architectural structures still remain indicative of its past prosperity during the 11th-18th Buddhist Centuries. A twin-city, there were over one hundred ancient sites all built with bricks and laterite, most of which have crumbled.

Khao Kho (เขาค้อ) is made up of mountain ranges to northwest of town about 1,174 metres above 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.

Rai B.N. (ไร่บีเอ็น), is a private agriculture plantation growing cold-climate crops, including various flowers which alternately bloom throughout the year.

The Nam Nao National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติน้ำหนาว) 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. Attractions include:
*Tham Pha Hong (ถ้ำผาหงส์) 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 (สวนสนบ้านแปก), 5 kilometres off the main road at km.49.

*Phu Kum Khao Pinery (สวนสนภูกุ่มข้าว), 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 & Namtok Sai Thong (น้ำตกเหวทรายและน้ำตกทรายทอง), 1 kilometre and 1.5 kilometres respectively off the main road at km. 67.
*Kong Cliffs (ผาล้อมผากอง) which are 5 kilometres from the main road at km. 40 and the

*Tham Yai Nam Nao (ถ้ำใหญ่น้ำหนาว) near km. 60.

Local Products

Sweet Tamarind (มะขามหวาน), sweet tamarinds, are an agro crop which earn good income for the local growers. A fair to publicise this fruit is held annually during January - February.

Khanom Chin (ขนมจีน), popular food of Lom Kao district, is a noodle-like dish made from flour. It is served with gravy and side dish of various fresh local vegetables.

Culture

Festivals

Um Pra Dam Nam festival

The villagers in the province relate to the river very much. Such closeness is clearly reflected in the widely known festival ceremonies that call " Um Pha Dam Nam" or Dive the Buddha Image into the Water Festival . Phra Buddha Maha Thammaracha is highly revered ancient Buddha image of Phetchabun Province. This event is annually held on the fifteenth day of the waning moon in the 10 th lunar month of during Sat Thai Period at Trai Pum Temple. The ceremony starts at 1 P.M. The image is carried around the town, so Buddhists can pay respect to it and stick gold left on its body. The next morning, people make merit as it is Sat Thai Day. Food, including Krayasat, and other necessities are given to monks. The Buddha image is then taken to be immersed in the Pah Sak River by governor of Phetchabun. After the ceremony, the water in the river is regarded as sacred. As a result, people swim in it or take the water to drink before the boat racing begins.Thanarutleasakon, k. (2002). Pra – wat – tai – sart – Thai – ched– sib – hoke – jung -wat [Thai history of 76 provinces] . Bangkok : One World Publishing.]

Seng Klong – Long Com Fai

Seng Klong – Long Com Fai is the ancient tradition of Phetchabun villagers for a long time. They believe this tradition is the way to request the god and the angle come to make merit with them. It is held annually during the end of Buddhist Lent around Por Kun Pah Maung Monument to promote the honor of Por Kun Pah Maung and conserve this tradition remain stay with villagers eternally. In this celebration, there are many activities to enjoy for instance the drum contest, the beautiful girl contest, an array of color fills its streets and float lanterns that can only be seen in Phetchabun.Thai Tour Info Co.,Ltd. (n.d.). Tourist attraction. Retrieved January 26, 2007 , from http://www.thai-tour.com/thai-tour/North/Petchabun/main.htm]

Sweet Tamarind Fair

Sweet tamarind is grown mostly in Phetchabun due to the cool weather and suitable environment. Farmers gain a lot of income from tamarind, also it is the symbol of Phetchabun without arguing. Samuttiya,B. (2001). Pare – Naer [Northern of Thailand] . Bangkok : Thaiwattanapanish Publishing.] Sweet
Tamarind Fair is thus organized in Phetchabun to celebrate the harvest of this fruit during January 17 - 25. This day is also called "Phetchabun’s Agriculture Day." During the festival, farmers bring their sweet tamarinds to sell at reasonable price at Phetchabun’s provincial athletic field where contests of sweet tamarinds and other crops are held. Besides this, there are other agricultural exhibitions and entertainments organized during the event.Thai Tour Info Co.,Ltd. (n.d.). Tourist attraction. Retrieved January 26, 2007 , from http://www.thai-tour.com/thai-tour/North/Petchabun/main.htm]

Gallery

References

External links

* [http://www.tourismthailand.org/destinationguide/list.aspx?provinceid=54 Province page from the Tourist Authority of Thailand]
* [http://www.phetchabun.go.th Website of Province] (Thai)
* [http://mysite.freeserve.com/phetchabun2 Maps & attractions in Phetchabun]
* [http://www.thailex.info/THAILEX/THAILEXENG/LEXICON/Copy%20of%20Phetchabun.htm Phetchabun provincial map, coat of arms and postal stamp]