Things to do in Kamphaeng Phet Province
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Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park
A Unesco World Heritage Site, this park features the ruins of structures dating back to the 14th century, roughly the same time as the better-known kingdom of Sukhothai. Kamphaeng Phet's Buddhist monuments continued to be built until the Ayuthaya period, nearly 200 years later, and thus possess elements of both Sukhothai and Ayuthaya styles, resulting in a school of Buddhist art quite unlike anywhere else in Thailand.
The park has two distinct parts; an inclusive ticket (150B) allows entry to both areas. The old city is surrounded by a wall (the 'Diamond Gate' of the city's name) and was formerly inhabited by monks of the gamavasi ('living in the community') sect. This are…
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Kamphaeng Phet National Museum
The national museum has the usual survey of Thai art periods downstairs. Upstairs there is a collection of artefacts from the Kamphaeng Phet area including an immense Shiva statue that is the largest bronze Hindu sculpture in the country. The image was formerly located at the nearby San Phra Isuan (Shiva Shrine) until a tourist stole the idol's hands and head in 1886 (they were later returned). Today a replica stands in its place.
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Phra Ruang Hot Springs
Located 20km outside Kamphaeng Phet along the road to Sukhothai, this complex of natural hot springs is the Thai version of a rural health retreat. The reputedly therapeutic hot waters have been diverged into seven private bathing rooms (50B), and there's also an outdoor foot pool and several places offering traditional Thai massage. There is no public transport to the hot springs, but transport can be arranged at Three J Guest House.
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Kamphaeng Phet Phochana
This popular place puts out just about every Thai fave from pàt tai to kôw man gài (Hainanese-style chicken rice). It's also a good place to try chŏw góoay, grass jelly, a product made in Kamphaeng Phet. There's no English-language sign, so look for the rainbow-coloured facade near the roundabout.
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Piggy
Mŏo gà·tá, pork grilled over a hotpot, is one of the more popular dishes in these parts. Simply choose your ingredients from the buffet, then grill your meats, adding your veggies and other ingredients to the broth. There's no English sign, but Piggy is found on the corner and usually boasts several grilling customers.
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Kamphaeng Phet Regional Museum
The regional museum is a series of Thai-style wooden structures on stilts set among nicely landscaped grounds. There are three main buildings in the museum featuring displays ranging from history and prehistory to the various ethnic groups that inhabit the province.
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Bamee Chakangrao
Thin wheat and egg noodles (bà·mèe) are a speciality of Kamphaeng Phet, and this famous restaurant is one of the best places to try them. The noodles are made fresh every day behind the restaurant, and pork satay is also available.
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Phayao Bakery
It may look closed with its heavily tinted windows, but inside you'll find a casual, family-friendly atmosphere with real coffee, a variety of baked goods and ice cream. Air-conditioned, it's a great place to escape from the heat.
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Miang Chakangrao
Sells a huge variety of local sweets and snacks, particularly the shop’s namesake, a fermented tea salad eaten with peanut-rice brittle.
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Mae Ping Riverside
Offers draught beer, live music, decent eats and cool breezes. It's one of the first places along the road that parallels the river.
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Wat Phra Borommathat
Across Mae Nam Ping are the neglected ruins of Wat Phra Borommathat, in an area that was settled long before Kamphaeng Phet's heyday, although visible remains are post-classical Sukhothai. The compound has a few small chedi and one large chedi of the late Sukhothai period which is now crowned with a Burmese-style umbrella added early in the 20th century.
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Wat Khu Yang
This Buddhist temple contains a handsome wooden hŏr đrai dating back to the 19th century.
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Rong Tiam
Live music (from 8.30pm), snacks and beer are available at this friendly pub located in a converted antique shophouse.
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