About Phayao Province
Phayao is a quiet, often-overlooked northern province built around Kwan Phayao, the largest freshwater lake in northern Thailand. The town itself wraps along the lakeshore beneath a backdrop of forested mountains, and the surrounding countryside is dotted with old Lanna-influenced temples and small Lue ethnic villages. Travellers who make it here — usually on a slower loop between Chiang Rai and Nan — come for sunsets over the lake, fresh-fish lunches, and a refreshingly uncrowded experience of the north.
Key facts
- Population
- 467,356 (2020)
- Area
- 6,335 km²
- Density
- 74 / km²
- Districts
- 9
- Capital
- Phayao
- ISO code
- TH-56
National parks (1)
Doi Phu Nang National Park
All 9 districts
Chiang Kham · Chiang Muan · Chun · Dok Khamtai · Mae Chai · Mueang Phayao · Phu Kamyao · Phu Sang · Pong
Top Highlights
Kwan Phayao
the largest freshwater lake in northern Thailand, ringed by a lakeside promenade
Wat Si Khom Kham
home to a large 16th-century seated Buddha (Phra Chao Ton Luang)
Wat Analayo Thipayaram
a hilltop temple with sweeping views over the lake
Wat Tilok Aram
a submerged temple in the lake reached by short boat trip
Getting There
Phayao is about 1.5 hours by car from Chiang Rai and 3 hours from Chiang Mai via Highways 1 and 120. There is no airport or passenger railway; long-distance buses from Bangkok's Mo Chit terminal take 10–11 hours.
Inside Phayao
National parks (1)
- Doi Phu Nang National Park863 km²
Districts (9)
Chiang Kham ·Chiang Muan ·Chun ·Dok Khamtai ·Mae Chai ·Mueang Phayao ·Phu Kamyao ·Phu Sang ·Pong
Mapped in Phayao
111 places of interest recorded in OpenStreetMap. Coverage is contributed by volunteers and varies by area, so treat these as a guide to what is mapped rather than a complete inventory.
- 45Temples
- 23Attractions
- 12Historic sites
- 10Viewpoints
- 7Waterfalls
- 6Markets
- 5Museums
- 2Family attractions
- 1Beaches
Named examples
- Wat Phra Nang Din
- Nam Min Waterfall
- Wat Tilok Aram
- Wat Si Umong Kham
- Wat Phrathat Doi Kham
- Wat Don Chai temple
- Wat Rong Ho
- Kasikorn Bank
© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. Harvested 2026-08-01.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources
Facts on this page last checked 1 August 2026.
- 1.Q244618 — population, area, districts, coordinates — Wikidata (Wikidata), retrieved 1 August 2026
- 2.Background reading — Wikipedia (Wikipedia), retrieved 1 August 2026Linked for context; no text is reproduced from it.
- 3.Official provincial website — Provincial administration (Official source), retrieved 1 August 2026
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