Dating back over 900 years, Phayao is a pretty town located on the edge of Phayao Lake, but well off the normal tourism track. Phayao Lake is the largest freshwater lake in northern Thailand and is surrounded by beautiful hilly scenery. It is a great breeding centre for fish, supplying many excellent restaurants that line its shores. The Fishery Station is the first facility to successfully breed giant catfish.

Wat Sikhom Kham, on the shore of the lake, houses a revered 400-year-old Buddha image. But it is the startling statues of dinosaurs, devils and other images of hell - inspired by both Hollywood films and Buddhist legend - that attract many visitors.

Phayao is an old province of Thailand, established in 1095 by King of Chiang Saen. In the reign of King Ngum Muang, 1267 the existence of the people was very prosperous. In 1897 King Rama V combined Phayao with Chiang Rai Province, and in 1977 Phayao was divided from Chiang Rai again and proclaimed to be one of the provinces of Thailand.

By Car
From Bangkok, take Highway No. 32 and Highway No. 1 to Phayao via Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Nakhon Sawan, Tak and Lampang, a total distance of 966 kilometres. For an alternative route, take Highway No. 1 to Amphoe Tak Fa via Saraburi, Lop Buri before turning into Highway No. 11 to Phrae via Phichit, Phitsanulok, Uttaradit, and then proceed to Phayao along Highways No. 101, No. 103 and No. 1.


By Bus
Bus companies which operate daily bus services from Bangkok's Mochit 2 Bus Terminal to Phayao are such as Transport Co. Ltd Tel: 0 2936 2852-66, website: www.transport.co.th; Siam First Tour, Tel: 0 2954 3601, Sombat Tour, Tel: 0 2936 2495.


By Rail
Visitors can take a regular train from Bangkok to Lampang or Chiang Mai, then connect a bus to Phayao. Call 1690 for more information.


By Air
Visitors can fly from Bangkok to Chiang Rai and then connect a bus to Phayao. Contact Thai Airways at Tel: 1566 for more information.

February
Sacrificars Reminder Fair

King Ngam Muang Ceremony
- Various Colorful traditional Processions

Thai Lua Tribal Legendary Fair
- Featuring Demonstration of Tai Lua
- Various Colorful Traditional Processions
- Demonstration and Exhibition of Tai Lua Lifestyles

April
King Phraya Lor Ceremony
-  Traditonal Processions and Kantoke Dinner

May
Lychee Fair
- Lychees Market and Selling Local Handicrafts

Pha Cho Ton Luang Festival
- Processions and Entertainment

November
Loy Krathong Festival
- Beauty and Big Krathong Contests
- Local Performance and Boat Racing