Phitsanulok

Introducing Phitsanulok

Under the reign of Ayuthaya King Borom Trailokanat (1448–88), Phitsanulok served as the capital of Thailand for 25 years. Because the town straddles Mae Nam Nan near a junction with Mae Nam Khwae Noi, it’s sometimes referred to as Song Khwae (Two Tributaries). The city was associated with floating houseboats lining the banks, as it’s the only city in Thailand where it’s legal to reside on a houseboat within municipal boundaries. However, most have now been moved to the outskirts of the city. The central Ekathotsarn Bridge is lit up with blinging red and blue lights, and each night a lively night market lines the banks south of here.

Due to large parts of the town being burned down by a massive fire in 1957, the architecture of the city is pretty nondescript. Yet, this vibrant and extremely friendly city boasts some interesting sites and museums, chief of which is Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat, which contains one of Thailand’s most revered Buddha images.

Phitsanulok makes an excellent base from which to explore the attractions of historical Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet and Si Satchanalai, as well as the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries of Thung Salaeng Luang and Phu Hin Rong Kla, the former strategic headquarters of the Communist Party of Thailand (CPT). All of these places are within 150km of Phitsanulok.

The name Phitsanulok is often abbreviated as ‘Philok’.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009