Uttaradit

Uttaradit (Thai: อุตรดิตถ์) is one of the northern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from south clockwise) Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, Phrae and Nan. To the east it borders Xaignabouli of Laos.

The name Uttaradit means northern landing, as it was formerly a trade center on the Nan river. A province in the Lower North, Uttradit has a long history developing through the years since pre-historic time.

The site of the original town, then called Bang Pho Tha It, was located on the right bank of the Nan River. It flourished as a port for goods transportation. As a result , King Rama V elevated its status into a province and re-named it Uttradit, literally the Port of the North.

Uttradit is located 491 kilometres from Bangkok and covers an area of 7,838 square kilometres and is divided into the following districts: Mueang, Tron, Laplae, Phichai, Tha Pla, Nam Pat, Fak Tha, Ban Khok, and Thong Saen Khan.

In the Sukhothai era several city state (Mueang) controlled by the King in Sukhothai were located in the area of the modern province. Mueang Fang was located in modern day Mueang Uttaradit district, Mueng Thung Yang in Laplae, Mueang Ta Chuchok in Tron district.

Later in the Ayutthaya kingdom Mueang Phichai was one of the 16 main Mueang of the kingdom. During the reign of King Naresuan the ruler of Phichai together with the ruler of Sawankhalok revolted. After their revolt was suppressed by the King the population of both cities was forced to move to Phitsanulok.


During the war with the Burmese after the fall of Ayutthaya, Phichai was the site of several battles. The ruler of Phichai succeeded to fight back the Burmese and was awarded with the title Phraya Phichai Dabhak.

During the reign of King Rama III Mueang Phichai controlled several Mueang of northern Siam like Nan or Phrae, and even Luang Prabang and Vientiane. At the point where the Nan river became shallow a port was established. As this town grew in importance as an important trade point, in 1887 it was made a Mueang subordinate of Phichai. 1899 the center of Phichai was moved to this new location, which was renamed to Uttaradit in 1915.

Chachoengsao

Chachoengsao or Pat Rew (Thai: ฉะเชิงเรา หรือ แปดริ้ว) is located on the east of Bangkok. Its fertility is due to Bang Pakong River. It is an important venue for agricultural products in the Central Region, with mango as the most popular fruit of the province. Moreover, it is the location of the sacred Phra Phutthasothon Buddha image.

Derived from Khmer, the name “Chachoengsao” means “deep canal”, while the name of “Paet Rio” (Paet means eight and Rio means stripes) has been believed to have come from the way dried fish (which are abundant in the area) were being pierced into eight stripes.

The history of Chachoengsao dated back since the Ayutthaya Period during the reign of King Phra Borom Tri Lokkanat. Most people live along the banks of Bang Pakong River and canals. Phra Phutthasothon or “Luang Pho Sothon” is the center of beliefs and faith. In the past, Chachoengsao was a small town, and was upgraded to a province in 1916.

Chachoengsao is 80 kilometers from Bangkok, with the area of 5,351 square kilometers. The local administration is divided into 10 Amphoe (district) and 1 King Amphoe (sub-district), namely: Amphoe Muang, Bang Khla, Bang Nam Prieo, Bang Pakong, Ban Pho, Phanom Sarakham, Sanam Chai Khet, Plaeng Yao, Ratchasan, Tha Takiap, and King Amphoe Khlong Khuean.

Lamphun

Legend handed down for more than 1,400 years refer to this ancient town as Hariphunchai. Its first ruler was Queen Chamthewi who was of Mon extraction. In late 12th century, King Mengrai overran the town and subsequently integrated it into the Lanna Kingdom.

Today, Lamphun still retain its enchanting ambience of a small but old community. It is some 670 kilometres from Bangkok and only 26 kilometres from Chiang Mai. Located on the bank of the Kuang River, its attractions include ancient sites and relics as well as forests and mountains and delightful lakes. Lamphun is the most famous producer of longans.

Phetchabun

Phetchabun (Thai: เพชรบูรณ์) is one of the northern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Loei, Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum, Lopburi, Nakhon Sawan, Phichit and Phitsanulok.

Phetchabun is a province in the lower northern region of Thailand. It is situated between the northern and the central region. From historical evidence, it is believed that Phetchabun was established by two kingdoms – namely the Sukhothai Kingdom and the Ayutthaya Period of the great King Narai. Initially the province was called "Phe-cha-buth" as "Phuenchapura", which means the city that is plenty of crops. The reason for being given such name is because the province is very fertile and full of natural resources. Because of the fertility of the land, Phetchabun has always been agriculturally productive area. Today, Phetchabun is a province with rich tourism potential such as fascinating nature, prosperous history for more than 1,400 years and indigenous traditional ceremonies.

Nan

A quiet and tranquil province, Nan nestles in a verdant valley in northern Thailand. About 668 kilometres from Bangkok, it covers an area of 11,472 square kilometres and is made up of the following districts: Mueang, Wiang Sa, Na Noi, Pua, Chiang Klang, Tha Wang Pha, Thung Chang, Mae Charim, Ban Luang, Na Mun, Santi Suk, Bo Kluea, Chaloem Phra Kiat, Song Khwae, and Phu Phiang.

The people of Nan descend from the Lan Changs (Laotians). Their forebears moved to settle around present-day Pua district which is rich in rock salt deposits, about 700 years ago at the time when Sukhothai was becoming the kingdom of the Thais. They subsequently moved south to the fertile Nan River basin which is much more extensive.

Nan's history is deeply involved with its neighbours, in particular Sukhothai which played an important role in both political and religious terms before Nan became a part of Lanna, Burma and Thailand in that order. Today Nan is still the home of numerous Thai Lue and other hilltribes who retain highly interesting customs and traditions.