Phrae Province

Introducing Phrae Province

Phrae Province is probably most famous for the distinctive sêua mâw hâwm, the indigo-dyed cotton farmer’s shirt seen all over Thailand. ‘Made in Phrae’ has always been a sign of distinction for these staples of rural Thai life, and since the student-worker-farmer political solidarity of the 1970s, even Thai university professors like to wear them. The cloth is made in Ban Thung Hong outside the town of Phrae.

The annual Rocket Festival kicks off the rice-growing season in May. In Phrae, the biggest celebrations take place in Amphoe Long and Amphoe Sung Men. Look for launching towers in the middle of rice fields for the exact location.

Amphoe Sung Men is also known for Talat Hua Dong, a market specialising in carved teak wood. Phrae has long been an important teak centre. Along Rte 101 between Phrae and Nan you’ll see a steady blur of teak forests (they are the thickest around the Km 25 marker). Since the 1989 national ban on logging, these forests are protected by law. Most of the provincial teak business now involves recycled timber from old houses. Specially licensed cuts taken from fallen teak wood may also be used for decorative carvings or furniture (but not in house construction).

The province of Phrae and its neighbouring province of Nan are often overlooked by tourists and travellers because of their remoteness from Chiang Mai, but from Den Chai – on the train route north – they’re easily reached by bus on Rte 101.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009