Phitsanulok

Things to see and do

Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat

Also known as Wat Yai, this famous wat is home to Phra Buddha Chinnarat, regarded as one of the most beautiful Buddha images in Thailand, cast in 1357. The beautiful mother-of-pearl inlaid doors were added by King Bornkot in 1756. Behind the wat is a 36m prang with a staircase leading to the niche ... read more
Sgt. Maj. Thawee Folk Museum

This fascinating museum is a must-see. Set in several buildings, it has a huge range of displays covering everything from Thai traditional culture, to a massive collection of animal and fish traps, thorough to photos of the great Phitsanulok fire and skin-crawling photos detailing the castration of ... read more
Buddha Casting Factory

Across the road from the folk museum and under the same management, is an area where a huge range of bronze Buddha images are cast using the 'lost wax method' which visitors can observe. There is a small shop on the premises which sells a range Buddha products. Admission is by donation and opening ... read more
Wat Chula Mani

Wat Chula Mani is the oldest temple in Phitsanulok province. It was originally located at the city centre of Phitsanulok, but now it is located about four km outside of town. King Borom Trailokanat was ordained as a monk here in 1416. Unfortunately, there isn't much left of the temple now other ... read more
King Naresuan Shrine and Wang Chan Palace Ruin

The King Naresuan Shrine and Wang Chan Palace Ruin is located across the Nan River from Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, on what used to be the grounds of a large school. The school has been closed and is being demolished so that the foundations of the old Wang Chan Palace can be slowly uncovered and ... read more
Phu Hin Rong Kla national park

Phu Hin Rong Kla became a national park in 1984. For the decade before it became a park, it served as the headquarters of the Communist Party of Thailand (CPT). These headquarters became a battlefield in the early 1980s, as the Thai military attacked and eventually succeeded in dismantling the ... read more
Tung Sulang Luang

Tung Sulang Luang National Park, just south of Phu Hin Rong Kla, shares some of the common recent history involving the Communist Party of Thailand (CPT). However, the topographies of the two parks are quite different from each other. Tung Sulang Luang Park is known for its grasslands and meadows ... read more