This Is Thailand

Locally dubbed as “Wat Yai”, the complex is considered the most important temple in Phitsanulok. Housing Thailand’s famous Phra Phutthachinnarat, Wat Yai is located at the foot of Naresuan Bridge on the city side of the river. The temple was built during the reign of Phra Maha Thamma Racha I (Phraya Lithai) in 1357.

Phra Phutthachinnarat is considered the most beautiful Buddha image in Thailand. The large Sukhothai-style bronze statue was cast in 1357 by the order of King Maha Thamma Racha I of Sukhothai. The statues unique feature is the flame-like halo a symbol of spiritual radiance. In 1931, King Ekatotsarot (King Naresuan’s younger brother) commanded a gold coating of the image, making it outstanding against the dark backdrop.

Today, thousands of visitors, both Thais and foreigners, flock to Wat Yai just to get a glimpse of Phra Phutthachinnarat. Most of contemporary Buddha images are cast using Phra Phutthachinnarat as a model. There is even a saying that, your trip to Phitsanulok is not complete without visiting Wat Yai to pay respect to Phra Phutthachinnarat. Only the Emerald Buddha situated in the Grand Palace, Bangkok, is more highly respected by Thais. A celebration to honour the statue is held annually in late January.

Other outstanding features of the temple (vihan in Thai) include the large pearl-inlaid wooden doors, the gateway to see Phra Phutthachinnarat. The doors were completed in 1756 by Ayutthaya’s royal craftsmen. Inside the vihan are the Italian marble floor, two painted pulpits (thammas) placed to one side, and murals illustrating the life of the Lord Buddha.

Apart from Phra Buddha Chinnarat, there are other Buddha images worth seeing. Phra Attharot, a standing Buddha statue cast in same period as Phra Phutthachinnarat, is situated in front of the large Phra Prang (pagoda) behind the Viharn.

A 36-metre high Phra Prang was built in the early Ayutthaya style. There are staircases leading up to the place where relic of the Lord Buddha is enshrined.

There is also a small museum, which exhibits a good collection of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya-era Buddha images and related religious items that is worth visiting. Visitors are advised to dress conservatively.

Wat Phra Si Mahathat Woramahawihan is open daily between 6.30 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. The Phra Phutthachinnarat National Museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday, between 9.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. The museum is closed on public holidays, for more information, click www.thailandmuseum.com.

Thung Salaeng Luang National Park (Nong Mae Na)

Thung Salaeng Luang National Park, Office 1 (Nong Mae Na) is at Nong Mae Na Sub-district, Khao Kho District, Phetchabun. It is an affiliate office under the headquarters at Km. 80. The park covers the area of Mueang District, Khao Kho District, Lom Sak District, Chon Daen District, Phetchabun, and Wang Thong District, as well as, Nakhon Thai District in Phitsanulok, being an overall area of 789,000 rai. It was acclaimed a national park on 27 May, 1975. Geographically, it is similar to a turtle’s back with an undulating surface. It is a limestone mountain range stretching as a long line. The highest point is at Khao Khae which is the source of many rivers such as Huai Khek Yai and Khlong Wang Thong. The rainy season is from July to October, while winter is from November to February. During winter, it will be very cold and suitable for traveling. Important plants include Pinus merkusii, Mangifera spp., Burma Padauk and a grass field covering a large plain of pine trees and flowers.

Interesting attractions within the national park are as follows:
Hanging Bridge (สะพานแขวน) is 3 kilometres from the Office of the National Park. On both sides and along the path is forest. It is very shady and suitable for relaxation.

Kaeng Wang Nam Yen (แก่งวังน้ำเย็น) is 7 kilometres from the National Park Office at Nong Mae Na, the similar route to Thung Non Son. Along its way, the forest is continuously changing from a grass field into deciduous dipterocarp forest, mixed with pine forest and mixed deciduous forest. Within the moist evergreen forest by the brook flowing from a waterfall, there is a variety of big trees with many strange kinds of undergrowth such as various types of ferns and caladiums.

Tung Salaeng Luang (ทุ่งแสลงหลวง) is 25 kilometres from the National Park Office at Nong Mae Na. It is a large open savanna grass field, covering an area of 16 square kilometres. Along the route cutting through a mixed deciduous forest, visitors will discover wildlife searching for food and various kinds of flowers. Moreover, there are savanna grass fields mixed with the forests of the Pinus merkusii; namely, Thungya Mueang Len and Thung Non Son.

Tung Nang Phaya (ทุ่งนางพญา) is 15 kilometres to the south of the Office of the National Park at Nong Mae Na. It is a savanna grass field, surrounded by mountain pine forest and hill evergreen forest. On the branches of the pine trees appear wild plants difficult to be seen such as Dendobrium senile and Dendrobium Trigonopus – kinds of orchids.

Thung Non Son (ทุ่งโนนสน) is a savanna grass field mixed with mountain pine forest, located in the middle of the National Park at the summit of Khao Khok Son. It is similar to Thung Salaeng Luang and Thung Nang Phaya. From the end of the rainy season to the beginning of winter are various kinds of flowers that bloom such as Utricularia delphinioides, Doritis pulcherrima, Eriocaulon henryanum, Arudina graminifolia, and Nepenthes. This field is appropriate for trekking and is 31 kilometres from the Office of the National Park at Nong Mae Na. It is open to the public during October – November of every year. Tents can be rented, costing 400-500 Baht for a tent of 3-5 persons. In the case visitors bring their own tents, a fee of 30 Baht a night is required for the camping area.
Moreover, the national park has organised the Pho Ko Kho Rice Field Nature Study Route, 4 kilometres from the Nong Mae Na Office. At the starting point, 30-40 rai of rice fields will be seen. This rice field is a duplicate one of the Pho Ko Kho – communist insurgents – by the national park. A small brook from the high mountain plateau created by the Pho Ko Kho in the past is utilised in supplying the rice field. Throughout the field bloom Krachieo – curcuma – flowers in various colours. A nature study trip can be done within the 4 kilometres around the area.

Admission : adult  400 baht, child 200 baht

Accommodation The park provides accommodation for tourists at the Office at Km. 80, comprising 8 bungalows, costing 1,000 – 3,000 Baht. Moreover, tents for rent are also provided, costing 150-300 Baht for 3-5 persons. In the case visitors bring their own tents, a camping site is also provided for 30 Baht/ person / night. Furthermore, within the area of Nong Mae Na Office, on the way to the Khao Kho Palace, Khao Kho District, there are 8 bungalows, costing 2,000 – 5,000 Baht and rental tents for 3-5 persons, costing 150-300 Baht. In the case visitors bring their own tents, a camping site is provided for 30 Baht/ person / night. For further information, contact the Thung Salaeng Luang National Park, P.O. Box 64, Mueang District, Phitsanulok 65120, Tel. 0 5526  8019, or Department of the National Park, Wildlife and Flora, Bangkok, Tel. 0 2562 0760 or www.dnp.go.th.

To get there:  There are 2 routes overall that can be taken. First Route: From Phetchabun, take Highway No. 21 to Lom Sak District for 13 kilometres to Ban Na Ngua and turn left. Go further along Highway No. 2258 to Khao Kho, pass the Ban Sado Phong Intersection and Khao Kho Palace, and go straight on until reaching Ban Thang Tawan, turn right for 4 kilometres until reaching Office 1 of the National Park, Thung Salaeng Luang. Second Route: From Phitsanulok, take Highway No. 12, Phitsanulok – Lom Sak Route, for approximately 100 kilometres and turn right into Khao Kho, passing the Office of Khao Kho District until reaching Ban Sado Phong and turn right into Highway No. 2258, passing Khao Kho Palace. Go straight on to Ban Thang Tawan and turn right for 4 kilometres to reach the Office 1 of the National Park, Thung Salaeng Luang (Nong Mae Na).