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4 days 3 nights

From Bangkok, take highway No 32. Drive along Ayutthaya, Ang Thong and Sing Buri before taking a left turn to enter Uthai Thani. From the Uthai Thani downtown area to Chantharam or Tha Sung Temple, Tum Bon Nam Suem, take highway No 3265 towards the raft ferry in Manorom District, 5 km from Uthai Thani downtown. Tha Sung is an ancient temple renovated by Rue See Ling Dam Priest (The Black Money Hermit). Each temple building is remarkably aesthetic: for example, the crystal Mondop and the Golden Castle. The parking lot is spacious. Nearby is a passage to the fishing raft along the Sa KaeKrung River, also known as “Wang Mat Cha” (Fish World) where more than thousands of fish of various kinds live. It is open from 7 am to 5.30 pm and from 7 am to 6 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Cruise service is available at the fishing raft (08-9958-1479, 08-7527-2243). Catch a glimpse of life and nature along the Sakae Krung River and the connecting spot with the Chao Phya River. The round trip takes 40 minutes.

After disembarking, drive to the Viharn Kaew (Crystal Vihara), which is about 500 metres diagonal to the Tha Sung Temple. Enjoy the beauty of Viharn Kaew and pay respects to the image of Rue See Ling Dam. It’s open daily from 9am to 11.45 am and 2 pm to 4 pm.

Return to the city area for the next stop at Khao Sakae Krung by using highway No 3220. Drive past PTT petrol station, which is opposite the city main stadium. Go past the stadium, then turn left and move up to the foot of the Sakae Krung mountain. At the foothills is Wat Sangkat Rattana Khiri, an old temple, which has been built, according to ancient belief, from the ruins of historic sites on top of the Kaew Mountain (Sakae Krung Mountain). Inside the vihara lies the sacred Buddha image, the most revered image in the province. A visit to Uthai Thani will never be complete without paying respects to the statue.

Don’t forget to walk up to the top of the mountain, which offers a panoramic view of Uthai Thani province. Visit the sacred Buddha Mongkol statue in the posture of subduing evil which was built in the Sukhothai Period.

Recommended dishes are giant Gourami fish with chilli topping, spicy giant Gourami fish with lemon grass, fried giant Gourami fish with garlic and steamed giant Gourami fish with lemon. Next, hit highway No 333 to Huay Kha Kaeng Wildlife Sanctuary. From Muang district, drive past Nog Kha Yang and Nong Shang districts and take highway No 3438 Nong Shang Lan Sak for 21.5 km. Go past Lan Sak Hospital (056-537-131) and the Pla Raa mountain range can be seen on the left.

Khao Pla Ra is gigantic with abundant forest area. It is only possible to be reached by foot in the last 900 metres. On top is an extensive plain overseeing the beautiful landscape below. The site features pre-historic drawings of human and animals in black and red on the nine-metre long western cliff. The over 3,000-year art depicts the way of living of ancient men around the area.

Take highway No 3438 to the Thoongyai Naresuan-Huay Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary. Drive past Lai Sak Hospital until 53-54 km. Turn left and go straight for 15 km, and you will see the District Office and Khao Hin Daeng police check-point. Keep driving for 17 km until you reach Khao Nang Ram Research Station and another 14 km to the Kapook Kapiang Forest Reserve.

At the end of the Buddhist lent or the first waning moon of the 11th month, the Dhevo Alms-Giving Festival is celebrated at the temple. The rite has been conducted for a long time. Hundreds of monks walk down a total of 449 steps from the top of the mountain to receive alms, including rice and dry supplies as well as sweet sticky rice in banana leaves.

Stop by to taste giant Gourami fish from Sakae Krung River, which is famous in Uthai Thani. The dish is available at restaurants along the river.

Thungyai Naresuan-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary is the biggest wildlife reserve in Thailand and in Southeast Asia. It was recognized as a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1991. A statue and monument of Sueb Nakasathien, who devoted his life to protect the wild and pressed for Huay Kha Khaeng to be included as world heritage, can be found inside the district office.

The sanctuary is open in three areas: Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary Office, Cyber Forest Reserve Unit, and Huai Mae Dee Forest Reserve Unit for guests to study nature without staying overnight. If you wish to spend a night, advance booking is required and can be made at 056-519-654.

The next morning, catch a glimpse of nature, breathe the fresh air, enjoy your breakfast, and pack your stuff before heading to Nakhon Sawan. Take the same route back to Nong Shang district and hit highway No 333 towards Uthai Thani. Don’t forget to get the famous “Kanom Kong Nhong Kae” (Crispy Snack).

Continue your drive on highway No 1 to Nakhon Sawan. Stop by at Chulamanee Pagoda, which was made from remainders of pagodas of the end of the Sukhothai period (600 Buddhist Calendar Year). Then drive on highway No 117 to Phitsanulok and turn right to Matulee-Daowadueng Road across the Nakhon Sawan Vocational College. When you arrive at the intersection, head left to visit Khiriwong Temple.

Drive along highway No 1 to Bung Boraphet Marine Sanctuary by using the route towards Bangkok until you reach Jiraprawat intersection, turn left to highway No 3004 for 20 km. This route is south from Bung Boraphet. After you drive past PTT petrol station, you will reach the Water Bird National Park. at 8 km, which a sign of the national park can be seen. Turn left and drive for 4 km and you will arrive at the Water Bird National Park or Bung Boraphet Marine Sanctuary. Bicycles are available for rent at Bt10-15 per person.

If you come from the north of the sanctuary, choose highway No 225 Nakhon Sawan-Choomsaeng and drive for 9 km until you see an intersection. Turn right and drive for 2 km to reach Bung Borephet Fisheries Research Station. You can go on a long-tailed boat tour to see breeding grounds for fish and crocodiles. Three rented houses are available but at least three weeks’ advance booking is required. Contact the Bung Boraphet Marine Sanctuary Tourist Centre on 056-274-525.

The next morning, follow highway No 3004 for Pichit province. From the Water Bird Park, it’s about a 35 km-drive to Tha Tako district. After you see Tha Ta Go Hospital (056-249-036), keep going for 1 km and turn right at the intersection to hit highway No 2037 and drive for 10 km. In the first few kilometres, you will drive past a village and then a tar road until the Pa Siriwattana Wisut Temple, which can be viewed up on top the hill.

The Siriwattana Wisut Temple is located in Baan Kao Kok Pen, Tumbon Tomnop, Tha Tako district. It’s a Buddhist Monastery founded by disciples of Somdet Phra Mahavareewong led by Phrathepmolee to commemorate the 60th birthday of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit. The late Princess Galyani Vadhana donated financial support to build the temple.

For boat-renting service, bird-watching service and tours of rare water plants such as purple and pink lotus, contact Lung Jorn (089-460-2720) or Lung Panom (0 81-786-4330).

Situated inside the temple boundary is the Sri Buddha Kaya Stupa, which was constructed to pay gratitude to the Lord Buddha and to commemorate His Majesty the King’s 60th Anniversary of Accession to the Throne and his 80th Birthday on December 5, 2007.

The parking lot is at the foot of the hill. You can walk up the hill to reach the temple to witness the surroundings or drive along the winding concrete road to the parking area, which takes five minutes.

Then, continue your trip by using highway No 3004 up to the north and change to highway No 11 (most trucks use this two-lane road, causing the road surface to be bumpy along the way). After passing Dong Charoen district, you will reach Tap Khlo district intersection, turn left and go along highway No 113 for 18 km to Taphan Hin district.

Stop at Dheva Prasart temple to pay respect to Phra Buddha Ketmongkol or Luang Phor To Taphan Hin statue for good luck. The image in the sitting pose is 30 metres high. It was made from concrete and steel in 1970 and is located at the entrance of the temple, which is at the foot of the Nan River bridge.

From Dheva Prasart temple, drive along highway No 113 until you reach the Taphanhin intersection. Turn right and go straight for 11 km, you will see Khao Rub Chang temple on the right. From the temple, if you turn right and drive along the concrete road for 1 km, you will reach Tumbon Dong Pa Kam, Muang district. Khao Roob Chang is surrounded by small communities. The temple features a Sri Lankan-style pagoda located on top of the white-rock hill, which resembles an elephant.

Next, go along highway No 113 for 5 km until you reach a 3-way junction that runs across highway No 1300. Turn left and go along highway No 1300 for 10 minutes and you will reach the Pho Prathap Chang temple.The temple, situated in Pho Prathap Chang district, is an old monastery built between 1699-1671 during the reign of Somdet Phra Suriyentrathibadi (Khunluang Sorasak or Prachao Sua), the king in the Ayutthaya period. In front of thetemple,there is a gigantic tree with acircumference equal to 7 people holding hands around the trunk. It is believed to be over 260 years old. Inside the temple, a towering Vihara can be seen.

From the temple, drive for 3 km to Po Prathap Chang district and at the 3-way conjunction, turn right and take highway No 1068 for 14 km. You will see the Pichit Old City Park on the right, go past Rong Chang temple to reach Pichit town.

In the late afternoon, stroll and watch the natural scenery at Bueng Si Fai, the country’s third biggest swamp, which covers an area of 5,000 rais. A wide variety of flowers and plants can be visited within the Princess Mother Memorial Park inside the swamp.

On the other side of the lake is the fresh-water aquarium built partially in the water. Different species of native fish with habitat in the lake are exhibited daily from 9 am to 6 pm and from 9 am to 7 pm on holidays (056-661-1309).

Don’t forget to take a picture with the 38-metre long Praya Chalawan (Crocodile King) statue located in front of Bueng Si Fai. It is 38 metres long, and inside the statue is a 25 to 30 seat conference room. The Pichit Product Centre, where you can buy hand-woven fabric, woven products made from water hyacinth or fourflavored tamarind, is in front of the lake. It is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm except on Mondays.

Before leaving the next morning, visit Tha Luang temple to worship Luang Por Phet statue, which is a Chiang Saen-style Buddhist statue cast in bronze. The temple is open daily from 9am to 4pm, and is on the west bank of Nan River on Busaba Road near the Provincial Hall.

Accommodation in Uthai Thani

Ban Suan Resort, Ban Rai district: Price Bt300-700; Tel 081-887-0923, 081-888-0206

River Marina Resort, Muang district; Price Bt1,100-1,800; Tel No 056-502-647, 089-533-7559

Accommodation in Nakhon Sawan

Ban Suan Resort, Muang district; Price Bt600-1,200; Tel 056-333-400

Piman Hotel, Muang district; Price Bt480- 3,500; Tel 056-312222-36

Accommodation in Pichit

Pichit Plaza: Price Bt600-900; Tel 056-13502-9

Oka Nakhon: Price Bt350-2,000; Tel 056-611-206, 056-611-321

Muang Uthai Thani Police Station: Tel 056-511-055

Muang Nakhon Sawan Police Station: Tel 056-221-1004-5

Muang Pichit Police Station: Tel 056-611-365