INTRODUCTION

Phetchanbun, an ancient city with several interesting and important places such as Wat Mahathat and Si Thep Historical Park, has always proposed throughout her history. At present, it is famous for the fertile land for cultivation. The reknown fruit is sweet tamarind. Besides, there are various historical and natural attracaions as we know from the motto of the province: Sweet Tamarind City, Nam Nao National Park, Si Thep Ancient City, Kao Kor Commemoration, Poh Khun Pha Muang City.

Phetchanbun located in the lower Northern part of Thailand, 346 kms. from Bangkok. It has a total area of 12,668.416 sq.kms. or about, 7,917,760 rai.

ATTRACTIONS

Khao Kor Palace is located at Khao Ya, Tambol Thung Samor. Lt. Gen. Pichit Kullawanichaya, commanding General 1 st, and Mr.Jamnien Pativethwanakij, Governor of Phetchabun in the past, cooperated to construct Khao Kor Palace for the purpose of presentation to His Majesty the King who will reside here while observation His Majesty the King's project and visiting population in Phetchabun and nearby provinces. Khao Kor Palace is one floor building, it was built in semicircle shape and in touch. Only the King's bedchamber side was built 2 floors.

Mural Paintings At Wat Nasai or Wat Simongkol is located at Ban Nasai, Tambol Wangbal. The Mural paintings on 4 walls of the church are regarded as ancient beautiful paintings painted from the history of Lord Buddha (10 Times Incarnation of the Lord Buddha) and these paintings reflect the way of social life in each incarnation such as occupation: hunting and fishing, marine trade, Chinese workers with pigtail hair, hell and paradise paintings, etc.

Pha Muang Plants Garden It is a place of big swamp with nice atmosphere. It used to be called "Nong Naree". It is situated on Naree Phattana Road, Mu.5 Tambol Sa-Kieng behind indoor Stadium of Phetchabun, 2 Kilometres from Down town.

Phu Hin Rongkla National Park This park provides unusual and beautiful nature. The area is a large stone platform, having longdeep cracks in some places caused by moving of earth's plate, if caused stone clashes' bend and sink. Furthermore, this park is a historical battle land and important battlefield between the conflicts of ideology faith and political idea. This area used to be communist terrorists' tunnel such as the state power bureau, political and military school, water turbine, public village and public stone platform.

The Monument of King Pha Muang This monument is erected in memory of royal grace, bravery, firmness, sacrifice and fame of King Pha Muang who cooperated with King Bang Klang Thao, governor of Muang Bangyang, to defeat the Khmers out of Sukhothai, a major frontier post of the Khmer Empire, and established it as the capital of Thai Kingdom. King Pha Muang also appointed King Bang KlangThao as King of Sukhothai Dynasty. After that Thais had compactly constructed their country till nowadays. the Monument of King Pha Muang is located in Poh Khun Pha Muang Boyscout Camp, 3 kms. from Lomsak District, Phetchabun Province.

Nam Nao National Park is very attractive place for sightseeing having beautiful mountains which are the sources of many important rivers such as Pa-Sak,Nam Phong and Loei rivers. The Department of Forestry announced this park to be the National Reservation Forest Area in B.E. 2507(1954) and later to be the National Park on May 4, B.E. 2515(1972) The area has cold weather and there are many wild animals such as bison, elephant, deer, wild dong, tiger, rabbit, jungle fowl, phesant and many pretty birds. There are many beautiful waterfalls and caves such as Husi Pla-Lad Cave or Morakot Cave, Pha-Hong Cave, Nam Nao Cave, Huai Sai Waterfall, Sai-Thong Waterfall, Pran Nok Waterfall etc.

Si Thep Historical Park Si Thep Historical Park had been constructed during the prosperous ancient Khmer period. H.R.H. Prince Damrong found this city in B.E. 2448 (1905). Si Thep is surrounded by ditches and sand dikes. Si Thep City was divided into 2 parts; inside town has many large places of worship and outside town is situated in the east of the city. Si Thep City as a lot of archaeological objects such as Phra Narai (Vishnu) and Krisana graven images, stone inscription that its top side seems to be mushroom and was inscribed in "Kruen" letter but its bottom side was sharped. Besides, there are illustrations of Phra Sa Kaeo, Sa Kwan, Khao Klang, Pre - historical skeleton, etc.

Wat Mahathat Situated in Muang Phetchanbun municipality. This monastery is an ancient temple of Petchaburi that H.R.H. Prince Damrong has presumed that this monastery should have been constructed during Sukhothai period. Wat Mahathat has the important objects of worship such as Phum Khao Binth, design pagoda has been presumed that it should have been constructed about B.E. 1926 (1383). This pagoda is a place that comprises Buddha's relics, Orrahan's (saint) ashes, and small images of Buddha in several style. Two buddha images of the beginning U-Thong period Maravichai whose laps are 36 inches wide. One was installed to be the biggest Buddha in the church and another was installed in vihara of Wat Mahathat.

Shrine of King Naresuan the Great This shrine is situated at Tambol Tharon, Vichienburi Airport. Refer to pedigree, during the reign of Somdet Phra Maha Dhamma Raja, the Khmers started revolution by march an army to forcibly move the inhabitants of Nakhon Ratchasima City. Somdet Phra Maha Dhamma Raja also commanded King Naresuan the Great to control front army to Vichienburi City, After that he commanded Phra Si Thamorrat (Governor of Vichienburi City) to be front army and marched the army to defeat the Khmers. On January 25, it has become an annual tradition of spirit sacrifice of King Naresuan the Great.

FESTIVAL
Sweet Tamarind Festival
February
Held in February during the tamarind is ready to pick up and it is also the agricultural day of the province.

New Year Festival of Hilltribe Lizu
February
Held in February of each year. It is the ancestor veneration day.

Rum Jong, Rum Trng Nong, Rum ToneFolk Dance
April
Held during Songkran Festival. The musicial instrument is Tone and the number of dancer is about 20.

Chao Poh Ta Chao Tung Festival
May
The spirit house was built in the edge of the rice field. It is believed that the spirit will take good care of food in the villages and ensure the rainfall in their fields. 

Hae Nang Maew 
May-June
Held in the year when there are no adequate rainfall. The cat is caught into the basket and then the villagers will take it walking around the village with traditional folk dance. Whenever the cat arrives their houses, they throw the water to the cat. 

Rocket Festival
May-June
Held during the period of May-June. It is the orignal festival of the north-east region. It is celebrated to maintain the local custom. The people bring firing homemade rockets into the sky for competiotion and entertainment . The owners of the rockets who win the competition wil be awarded.

GETTING THERE

By Bus Direct air - conditioned and non air - conditioned buses leave from the Northern bus terminal on Phaholyothin Road. (Tel. 537-8055-6) starting 09.30 A.M.until 09.30 P.M.

By Car Taking Highway No.1 to Saraburi till Km. 125 (Pukae); turn right to Highway No. 21 via Amphoe Chaibadal, Amphoe Si Thep to Phetchanbun for 346 kilometres.