Rambling Uttaradit 1/2
“For nature lovers, Uttaradit offers divers unspoit natural sites attractive to trekkers. The Phu Soi Dao National Park is notable for its unparalleled beauty. The big Tree Forest Park in Nam Pat District houses the largest teak tree in the word.”
On october 22,l901 King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) made a river journey to the Lower North of Thailand and landed at Bang Pho Tha It Sub-district, which is now called, Uttaradit Province. This province houses Luang Pho Phet, a revered bronze Buddha image in the posture of a subduuing Mara, The Buddha image is believed to be almose 900 years old and was casted during the Chiang Saen Period (11 th - 13 th centuries). It is considered sacred to the residents who occasionally come to pay homage 10 this revered Buddha image Located on a vast area along the banks of the Nan River. Uttaradit rich in natural resources. forests and mountains. Traces of Pre-historic civilization are seen from the discovery of such a remarkable artifact as the bronze drum at Tha Sao Sub-district in 1927. An evidence shows that Uttaradit became a human settlement before the year 457. The Uttaradit Cultural Center, located on Paetwa road. opposite the governor's residence, is a two storey wooden house built during the reign of King Chulalongkorn and is a blend of Thai and Western architectural forms. It houses displays of artifacts found in the province.
About 20 kilometers from Uttaradit town in the compound of Wat Phra Fang Swangkhamuninat is the location of Sawangkhamuni or Fang City in the Sukhothai Period (late l3 th - l5 th centuries). During the Thonburi Period (1767-1782), a rebellious group led by Chao Phra Fang gathered in this city and declared its liberation from King Taksin of Thonburi Kingdom. Wat Phra Fang is famous for a circular stupa in the Lankan bell shape and an old Vihara with a magnificent and intricate carved door panel. Built in the Ayutthaya Period, the door panel is 5.30 meters high, 2.20 meters wide and 0.10 meters thick However. This doorpanel has been brought to be kept al the Vihara of Wat Thammathippathai in Muang District since 1949.
Uttaradit is well-known for the heroic deed of Chao Phraya P hichai Dab Hak, Governor of Uttaradit. during the Thonburi Period. In 1773 the governor fought bravely against the Burmese army until his sword was broken where he saved his city from invaders. Dab hak literally means a broken sword. Later, a memorial to Chao Phraya Phichai Dab Hak was constructed at the Town Hall for people to pay homage A Shrine in memory of Chao Phichai is located in Phichai City, his hometown, about 45 kilometers from Uttaradit Town. It is believed that the old city of Phichai has been built as a frontline state during the reign of King Borommatrailokkanat (1448- 1488) of the Ayutthaya Period. An old pagoda at Wat Phra That provides testimony to the old Phichai City's splendour.
The sword used by Chao Praya Phichai was made from high-quality steel known as "Lek Nomphi". There are two ponds where the so-called Lek Namphi steel was made. One is Bo Phra Saeng and the other is Bo Phra Khan. Uttaradit Province has built the world's largest Namphi sword installed at the Red Cross Office in the province. It is 9.24 meters long and weighs 450 kilograms with the use of 557.8 kilograms of Namphi steel.
Major historical sites of Uttaradit include Muang Thung Yang and Wiang Cheo Ngo, Wat Phra Borommathat Thung Yang which is well-known for its Lankanstyle stupa, Wet Phra Thaen Sila At, Wat Phra Yun Buddha Bat Yukhon and Wat Phra Non Buddha Saiyat or the Reclining Buddha Temple. Visitors to these old temples will have a chance to observe graceful decorative art seen from carved door panels of their Vihara.
For nature lovers. Uttaradit offers diverse unspoilt natural sites attractive to trekkers. The Phu Soi Dao National Park is notable for its unparalleled beauty. The Big Teak Tree Forest Park in Nam Pat District houses the largest teak tree in the world. Aged 1,521 years, the largest teak tree is 37 meters in height and 6.57 meters in diameter. The remaining teak trees reflect the fertility of forestry resources where teak is recognized .as the symbol of this province.
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