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

Phrae sights and attractions

Ban Prathap Chai - Big shop

2km out of town

Description
This huge teak house was built on 130 enormous teak logs with intricately carved bases. The house is full of every imaginable thing you could make out of teak and much of it is for sale. It's really just a shop, so it's kind of strange to have to pay to enter.

On the way to the house, you'll pass a beautiful wooden house on your right. It is worth a peek over the fence and is far less over-the-top than Ban Prathap Chai, featuring its own collection of spectacular carvings standing around the garden.



How to get there: The impressive house is two km west of the intersection of Muang Hit and Ratsadamnoen Rds.

Wat Chorm Sawan - Lovely wat

Baan Mai Rd

Description
This particularly beautiful wat was commissioned by Rama V and designed by a Burmese architect. It is regarded as one of the best wats of its kind remaining in Thailand.

Ask one of the monks on the premises to show you the Buddhist scripture carved into ivory which is a big attraction here.

Out the front there is a small amulet market.


How to get there: The temple is about a 10-15 minute walk from the centre of town.

Wat Phra That Cho Hae - Phrae's top hilltop attraction

9km to the east of town

Description
This large wat sits atop a very small hill around 9km to the east of Phrae town. Thought to date back to the 14th century, the wat is best known for its 33 m tall gold-plated chedi which was built to store a hair of Buddha.


How to get there: There are frequent songtheaws between Phrae and the wat.

Vongburi House - Definitely worth seeing

50 Khamlue Rd
vongburihouse@yahoo.com


Description
This large two-storey teak mansion was built in 1897 for a family that unsurprisingly held a large teak concession in the area. The house has remained in the family ever since.

The beautiful house is a living museum, full of fascinating relics of the past, with most items labelled in English and Thai. Of particular interest are documents related to the purchase of slaves.

There is also a small silver workshop on site where you can watch bowls and other ornaments being made. A small shop inside the house sells a range of silverware and other knick knacks.

Opening Hours: Daily 08:30-17:00

Phraya Chaiyabun Monument - Another statue, another martyr

Description
This monument is located around 4 km from the centre of town and is dedicated to the memory of Phraya Chaiyabun, who was the ruler of Phrae during the reign of King Rama V.

During the Ngiew rebellion of 1902 he refused to agree to their terms and as a result lost his life.

Wat Luang - Phrae's oldest temple

Description
The city’s most ancient temple probably dates to the 11th or 12th century. The complex houses a large Lanna-style chedi, usually draped in Thai-Lue silk, while the main viharn contains a revered Chiang Saen-style Buddha figure.

The crumbling laterite brick structure by the main entrance is the remains of one of the city’s original entrance gates and contains the statue of one of Lanna’s early rulers, which is highly revered by locals.

Finally, there’s a small museum on the premises with some interesting relics and weaponry on display. It's only officially open on Saturdays, but if you ask nicely monks may open it for you if they are not too busy.

Wat Sa Bor Keaw - Another Burmese-style wat

Nam Kue Rd

Description
This spectacular Burmese-style wat has a marble Buddha inside but is best known for its pagoda. The unusual sprawling front veranda makes a refreshing change from most other styles of wats in the kingdom.

The chedi to the left of the compound is particularly striking.