About Phichit Province
Phichit is a small, agricultural province on the upper central plains, sandwiched between Phitsanulok and Nakhon Sawan along the Nan River. It's best known in Thai folklore for the legend of Chalawan, the giant crocodile lord whose story is set on the local waterways — a tale celebrated with a large crocodile statue and an annual fair. The province also has riverside temples, the freshwater Bueng Si Fai lake, and the seat of the old kingdom at Wat Pho Prathap Chang.
Top Highlights
Chalawan crocodile statue and Bueng Si Fai lakeside park in the provincial capital
Wat Pho Prathap Chang
birthplace of King Suriyenthrathibodi (King Suea)
Wat Bang Khlan and the riverside ruins along the Nan
Ancient city ruins of old Mueang Phichit, with moats and laterite walls
Getting There
Phichit is about 4 hours by car from Bangkok via Highway 1 and Highway 117. Trains on the Northern Line stop at Phichit station en route to Phitsanulok and Chiang Mai, and buses run from Mo Chit terminal.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Senior Travel Writer · Bangkok · 12+ years in Thailand
James has lived in Bangkok since 2014 and has visited all 77 Thai provinces. He specialises in destination guides, itinerary planning, and transport logistics. Before moving to Thailand, he worked as a travel journalist in Hong Kong and Singapore. He speaks conversational Thai and is a certified PADI divemaster.
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