Phitsanulok

Phitsanulok (Thai: พิษณุโลก) is one of the provinces (changwat) of Thailand, located in the North of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from east clockwise) Loei, Phetchabun, Phichit, Kamphaeng Phet, Sukhothai, Uttaradit. In the north-east it also has a short border with Xaignabouli of Laos.

Most of Phitsanulok has a hot tropical climate with considerable annual rainfall (annual rainfall is approximately 1.8 meters). In the higher altitude regions of the province, however, the climate is cool, with temperatures peaking at around 25° Celsius, sometimes dropping below the freezing point. With regard to rainfall, there is a dry season and a rainy season. The rainy season begins in the spring and ends around November. Deforestation and urban development along the river banks, combined with the extensive amount of rainfall in the region, have led to some climate change issues, primarily manifested in recent severe flooding within the province and elsewhere downstream of the Nan River.

Topographical features within the Phitsanulok Province include the Phetchabun Mountains, the Nan River and several of its tributaries, waterfalls, rapids, swamps, forests, grasslands, caves, a reservoir and an extensive network of canals. Populated areas of the province are largely cleared of natural vegetation and adapted for farming. The land within the province is situated in the Greater Nan Basin, which is part of the Chao Phraya Watershed. The province includes land within both of the Greater Nan Basin's sub-basins, i.e. the Nan Basin and Yom Basin. The provincial capital of Phitsanulok is sometimes called Song Kwae, the city of two rivers, an ancient name dating to a time centuries ago when the Nan and Khwae Noi rivers met near the city. These two rivers of the Phitsanulok Province are still of major significance to the residents of the region.