Phetchabun is wedged between Thailand’s northern and central regions, in a valley beside the Pa Sak River, and rarely sees foreign tourists. T
he region is known for its mountains and forests as well as for its orchards of tamarind trees.
The weather is ideal for outdoor activities so Phetchabun’s visitors (mostly Thai) usually head out to the waterfalls and scenic areas in the surrounding mountains. This area was a staging ground for conflict between Thai nationalists and communist insurgents during the 1970s, and remnants of old military bases are scattered throughout the pine forests.
There isn’t much of interest for visitors to see in the town itself, though Wat Mahathat and Wat Traiphum are worth a look and are both located in the town center.
Petchabun tourism is still in its infancy, and until now it’s mostly only Thais who visit the province, particularly during the cool season when hilltop resorts promise fresh temperatures. For this reason, independent travelers who venture here need to rely both on their phrase book and the goodwill of strangers to get by.
The town’s few temples are really rather ordinary, despite the historical legends associated with them, and unless you happen to arrive here at the time of the Sart Festival (usually September), you’ll be hard pushed to uncover much of interest in town.
The town sits mostly on the east side of the 6-lane Highway 21, with a reasonably compact town center containing the principal temples and commercial district.
Where to Go
- Wat Traiphum: this temple houses the town’s most important Buddha image.
- Wat Mahathat: the main temple in Phetchabun holds an ancient pillar brought here from Si Thep Historical Park.
When to Go
Petchabun has three seasons - the cool season (November to February), the hot season (March to May) and the rainy season (June to October). The cool season is particularly marked in the hills on both sides of the Pa Sak Valley, and this is when Bangkokians flock here, especially to Khao Kho, which is often dubbed ‘Little Switzerland’.
Things to Do
There really isn’t anything to do in Petchabun except head for the hills, which is exactly what most people do. If you do find yourself stuck in town for some reason, you could take a look at its two most important temples, which won’t take you much more than an hour, go take a wander round the market or catch up on your email in an internet shop.
Getting There
Phetchabun can be reached by bus from Chiang Mai or Bangkok. The journey takes several hours on steep and mountainous roads so it’s best to book a seat on a comfortable VIP coach. The nearest airport is in Phitsanulok, which is about a 2-hour busride away.
The only way to get to Petchabun is by bus. Regular services leave Bangkok’s northern bus station for the 5-hour journey. The bus station in Petchabun is on Highway 21 near the town center. The nearest airport is in Phitsanulok, but it’s still about a 3-hour busride from there.
Getting Around
Renting a vehicle is by far the best way of getting around Petchabun Province, as this allows you the freedom to go where you want and stop when you want. If you just want to go up to Khao Kho to the Thai resorts, you’ll find songthaew that leave irregularly from the market in town.
Where to Stay
There are really only a couple of options for foreigners staying in Petchabun, both of which are located reasonably near the center. However, since most people come here to enjoy the hillside scenery and fresh weather, we have included a couple of resorts that are near to Khao Kho for the benefit of those who have their own transport.
Where to Eat
Though you won’t starve in Petchabun, foreign visitors won’t find it easy to eat without the assistance of their phrase book, as the only places that feature an English menu are the two hotels - Kosit Hill and Burapa. We recommend that for a wide choice you go with the hotel restaurants, or for adventurous dining, head for foodstalls in the market and just point at whatever takes your fancy.
Where to Party
You might guess that if Petchabun has so few options for sleeping and eating, there’s probably no nightlife here, and you’d be right. Apart from the Z-za Pub in the Burapa Hotel, which attracts a smattering of locals, pretty much everywhere else is shut up by 9pm, so if you need entertainment after that, make sure there are movie channels on the satellite TV in your hotel room.
Where to Shop
Petchabun is famed among Thais for its sweet tamarind, which you’ll see on sale at the roadside throughout the province, the chocolate-colored seedpods packed in bags of a kilo or two. However, it’s a bit of an acquired taste for some foreigners, and probably not an ideal gift to take back home.
Need to Know
- Worth it? Phetchabun is worthwhile for nature lovers and history buffs.
- What to do: visit Si Thep Historical Park, walk trails in the national parks, picnic at Tat Mok Waterfall.
- When to go: during the cool season between November and February.
- How long? Two days is enough to see the countryside.