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Phichit
General Information
Situated in the Lower North some 345 kilometres from Bangkok, Phichit is accessible by both road and rail. Nurtured by two rivers, the Yom and the Nan running parallel to one another north to south, the land is agriculturally fertile. Once the site of an ancient town dating back almost a thousand years ago, Phichit has played in a major role in the history of both Sukhothai and Ayutthaya.
Known as the land of the crocodiles, it has been home to this ferocious reptile which has thrived in its waters. There are today several fresh-water crocodile farms. Phichit features in the Thai epic Krai Thong composed by King Rama II which tells of Chalawa.
Phichit is administratively divided into the following districts: Muang, Pho Prathap Chang, Taphan hin, Bang Mun Nak, Pho Thale, Sam Ngam, Wang Sai Phun, Thap Khlo, Sak Lek, Dong Charoen, Bueng Na Rang and Wachirabarami.
Symbol
The provincial seal shows a pond, which refers to the old name of Phichit, Mueang Sra Luang (meaning city at the royal pond). The Banyan tree in front refers to the temple Wat Pho Prathab Chang. The temple was built in 1669-71 by King Luang Sorasak, who was born in the village of Pho Prathab Chang, between a Banyan and a Sacred Fig.
The flag of Phichit shows the circular provincial seal in the middle. It has three green bars and two white horizontal bars, with the middle bar being interrupted by the seal.
Provincial tree is the Ironwood Mesua ferrea, provincial flower is the Lotus (Nymphaea lotus).
Getting there
By Car
1. From Bangkok, take Highway No. 1 and Highway No. 32 to Nakhon Sawan, and then proceed to Phichit via Highway No. 1118 (passing Chum Saeng, Bang Mun Nak and Taphan Hin), a total distance of 345 kilometres.
2. From Bangkok, take Highway No. 1 and Highway No. 32 to In Buri, and then use Highway No. 11 to Phichit via Tak Fa, Nong Bua, Khao Sai and Sak Lek, a total distance of 344 kilometres.
3. From Bangkok, take the same route as (2). When arriving Khao Sai, turn into Highway No. 113 to Phichit via Thap Khro and Taphan Hin.
By Bus
Both air-conditioned and non air-conditioned buses depart from Bangkok's Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal to Phichit every day. Call 0 2936 2852-66 or visit www.transport.co.th for more information.
By Train
Regular Trains departs from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Railway Station to Phichit many times daily. Call 1690 or visit www.railway.co.th for more information.
Festivals
Boat Race
Boat racing is a traditional event of long standing. It is usually held after the homage-paying rights to the province's principal Buddha statue during September each year on the Nan River in front of Wat Tha Luang.
Interesting Products
Fruit
Fruit-growing is one of Phichit's major occupations. Among its more well-known produce are pomelo, jack-fruit, Krathon and Maprang. Fruits are also use in making several kinds of products. Som O (pomelo)is probably Phichit's most well-known and best-selling fruit. Grown mainly in Pho Prathap Chang district, it has a mixed sweet and sour taste and has no seeds. The flesh is pinkish. There are two seasons for pomelo - October and April. The peels of young pomelo are made into jam-like sweets, highly popular as snack.
Hand-woven Fabric
A popular handicraft of the province is the colourful hand-woven fabric. Reasonably prices, it is a widely available at Ban Pa Daeng in Taphan Hin district.
Makham Kaeo
Makham Kaeo is another highly popular buy. The tamarind fruits are turned into a kind of candy which has a pleasant taste of sourness, saltiness, sweetness and slight pungency.
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