Where am I again?
Region: Northern Thailand> Province: Kamphaeng Phet>Location: Kamphaeng Phet

Kamphaeng Phet sights and attractions

Kamphaeng Phet National Museum - The usual relics

Description
This museum contains the usual collection of artefacts, Buddhas, terracotta and odds and ends, many of which were unearthed in the immediate surrounds. Not a standout museum, but if you're in Kamphaeng Phet, you may as well take a look.

Opening Hours: Wed-Sun 09:00-16:00

San Phra Isuan - A handy sight

Description
Situated in front of the Provincial Office, this shrine has a sandstone base upon which stands a bronze cast of the God Shiva. The original is displayed in the Kamphaeng Phet National Museum. During the reign of King Rama V, the hands and head of the statue were stolen by a German tourist who took them to Bangkok in 1886 with the intention of carting them back to Germany. It took a request from the king himself to have them returned and the Thai authorities graciously supplied a copy of the stolen goods to the Museum of Berlin.

Kamphaeng Phet Historic Park - A whole historical park to yourself!

Description
This large park stretches to the north of Kamphaeng Phet within the city walls and also further north in a separate enclosure. The closest entrance is beside the city pillar shrine at the northern end of town. When compared to the historical park at Sukhothai, the first thing you'll notice is the much wider use of laterite, particularly in sculpting Buddha images. The erosion over the centuries has created a fascinating array of figures not dissimilar to the aliens in Close Encounters of the Third Kind. The central complex is lush and well shaded, and chances are you'll have the complex entirely to yourself.

The central area contains Wat Phra That to the south and Wat Phra Kaew to the north. Wat Phra That is the principle chedi, and is built from a mixture of laterite and stone. Aside from the chedi and a Buddha, little remains at Wat Phra That, but Wat Phra Kaew is home to a number of images and chedis. Dating back to the Sukhothai period and renovated during the Ayutthaya period, this was once probably the largest monument in the city. Some more recent Buddha images are located towards the rear, including a reclining Buddha.

Outside the walled area, just to the north of the road to Sukhothai, lies the sprawling part of the park, which is best visited by bicycle. The most interesting site is Wat Chang Rop at the far northern part of the enclosure, where a partially collapsed chedi is supported by a disintegrating collection of 68 sculpted elephants. You can climb up on the chedi for a fair view. Other sites worth a look are the well renovated Wat Phra Non and Wat Phra Si Ariyabot, also known as Wat Yuen, which has a collection of Buddhas demonstrating the four main stances of reclining, walking, standing and sitting. Wat Phra Non, now in total ruins, once housed the Emerald Buddha that can now be seen in Bangkok.

Opening Hours: Daily 09:00 - 16:30

Khlong Lan National Park - One noteworthy waterfall

Around 60km from Kamphaeng Phet
klonglan_np@hotmail.com
http://www.dnp.go.th/parkreserve/asp/style1/default.asp?npid=82&lg=2


Description
The highlight of 300 sq.km Khlong Lan National Park is the 95m, nine level, cascading Khlong Lan Falls, which can be reached from the park headquarters. A lesser attraction is Kaeng Ko Roi -- a set of minor rapids. If you're interested in overnighting in the park, there is park accommodation available in the form of bungalows, or contact Mr Charin at Three J Guesthouse, who has a small resort on the rim of the park. The park is around 60km from Kamphaeng Phet and the park office is 6km from the same-named Khlong Lan market.

Municipal Park - Right by the river

Riverfront, Kamphaeng Phet

Description
In the centre of Kamphaeng Phet, bordering the riverside in front of the Chakungrao Riverside Hotel is a municipal park teeming with cycling machines, weights, jogging tracks, basketball and keep-fit classes. It's well worth a peek in the early evening as it seems that half the town is there! You can also walk or jog along the riverside which has been tastefully terraced to allow for walking, jogging, and general sitting.