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Amphoe Muang
Bueng Si Fai
Bueng Si Fai is a large fresh-water lake to the south of
town. It is a Fishery Department's facility to breed fresh-water.
Along the banks is a delightfully landscaped park suitable for rest
and recreation. The scenery is at its most scenic in the early morning
and late afternoon. On the other side of the park is an aquarium
exhibiting species of native fish and local fishing equipment. An
eye-catching sight is a gigantic, crocodile-shaped structure within
which is a space which could be used for meetings.
Utthayan Mueang Kao Pichit
About 7 kilometres from town on the Phichit-Wang Chick road (no.
1068) is Utthayan Mueang Kao Pichit. The park features an ancient
town dating back to more than 900 years. Most of the structures
discovered were built during the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya periods.
The old town is surrounded by city walls and moats. During the Sukhothai
period it was called Muang Sa Luang situated on the original bank
of the Nan River before the river changes its course, which was
the reason the town itself was moved to the new bank in circa 1881
during the reign of king Rama V. In the town centre is Wat Phra
Si Rattana Mahathat with its large bell-shaped Chedi inside of which
have been found hundreds of votive tablets. In front of the Chedi
are remains of a Vihan. There are score of small Chedis scattered
around the site.
Wat Khao Rup Chang
Wat Khao Rup Chang is located along the Phichit-Taphan Hin road
some 15 kilometres from town. On the hilltop is an old, Ayutthaya-style
Chedi built of bricks but with its top part now broken. There is
also a Mondop, the wall murals of which have largely faded away.
The Mondop house a bronze Holy Relic.
Wat Nakhon Chum
Wat Nakhon Chum is some 9 kilometres from town on the Phichit -
Wang Chik road. Built in the Sukhothai period about 800 hundred
years ago, the temple features an old Ubosot built with brick and
mortar with the upper parts in wood. Instead of windows, there are
narrow openings for ventilation throughout the walls, similar to
temples of the Ayutthaya period. In the Ubosot is a large Sukhothai-style
Buddha statue once used as the principal statue in oath-taking ceremony
pledging allegiance to the monarch.
Wat Tha Luang
Built on the west bank of the Nan River within town limit in 1845,
Wat Tha Luang today houses Luang Pho Phet, a Chiang Saen-style Buddhist
statue cast in bronze.
Amphoe Pho Prathap Chang
Wat Pho Prathap Chang
An old temple in Pho Prathap Chang district is Wat Pho Prathap Chang,
located about 27 kilometres from town on route #1068 to the south.
It was built by Phra Chao Sua, an Ayutthaya king, in 1701 at a site
reputed to be his own birth-place. Although abandoned for almost
300 years, the remaining traces are indicative of past splendors,
such as a huge Vihan with its walls still standing but now roofless,
and small Chedis scattered over the site. The entire site is surrounded
by double-walls and huge trees, some of which are over 200 years
old.
Amphoe Pho Thale
Wat Bang Khlan
About 12 kilometres from the district town of Pho Tha-le, or 60
kilometres south of Phichit town, is Wat Bang Khlan. It was the
resident temple of the highly revered monk, the late Luang Pho Ngoen.
A statue of the Luang Pho Ngoen continues to receive homage from
the public. The Chai Bowon Museum inside the temple collects ancient
items such as votive tablets, Buddha statues and earthen-wares for
display. It is open only on Saturday-Sunday.
Amphoe Taphan Hin
Taphan Hin
Taphan Hin is the most commercially advanced district of
Phichit. Located on the bank of the Nan River some 30 kilometres
south of the provincial seat on Highway No.113, it can also be reached
via railways. The most prominent sight of the district is the 34
metre-tall golden Buddha statue, the Luang Pho To, at Wat Thewaprasat
on the Nan river bank opposite the Tapan Hin market. There are ferry
services across the river.
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