This Is Thailand

Si Thep Historical Park

Some 130 kilometres south of Phetchabun on Highway No. 21, and with another 9 kilometres after a left turn, is the Si Thep Historical Park. Si Thep is an ancient town where many architectural structures still remain indicative of its past prosperity during the 11th-18th Buddhist Centuries. It was once the centre of contact between the Dvaravati kingdom in the Central Plain basin and the Khmer kingdom in the Northeast. A twin-city, there were over one hundred ancient sites all built with bricks and laterite, most of which have crumbled. There are also remains of several ponds spread out all over the area. Most of the ancient relics recovered are parts of architectural nature such as elaborate lintels, plastered designs and Sema stone (used to mark out limits of Buddhist temples) and human skeletons still adorned with ornamental pieces.

The admission fee is 100 baht.

The Nakhonban Phetchabun Cultural Hall

The Nakhonban Phetchabun Cultural Hall is a large auditorium hall for the study concerning the history of Phetchabun. It can be divided into 2 parts. The first part is an exhibition of some ancient pictures and antiques from the Fine Arts Department in the various periods of the Phetchabun history. The second part is a stage for performances and presentations on history, traditions, and cultures of Phetchabun.