Phrae, a paradise in the North

Phrae is a province in the North of Thailand with a lot of natural beauty and cultural attractions, a charming lifestyle and good food.

The Yom River flows right through it and Phrae has many green mountain regions. The distance to Bangkok is about 550 kilometers. It has a long history and has had other names in the past, such as Nakhon Pol and Wiang Kosai.

Lanna Kingdom

Muang Phrae, the provincial capital, is located on the site of an ancient city, frequently mentioned in historical documents, inscriptions and legends. In AD 927, Queen Jammathevi of Hariphunchai (Lampoon) ascended the throne of the Lanna Kingdom and named the area Wiang Kosai, which means silk cloth. A 1283 inscription by King Ramkhamhaeng the Great of Sukhothai records a change of name, which read: “The area to which my feet point while I sleep is where Muang Phrae resides.”

Phrae, ancient fortified city

Like Chiang Mai, Phrae has retained the character of an old fortified city, with rustic alleys lined with teak houses and temples. Many of these teak mansions were built by Europeans who were active in the teak trade in the 19th century. Phrae was the center of the teak industry at the time.

Today, Phrae still has many forests, ideal for hiking and trekking or a kayaking tour on the Kaeng Luang River. There are several national parks, such as Mae Yom and Wiang Kosai, with hill tribe villages and teak plantations, where logging is now legally prohibited. In Phrae itself, culture vultures can visit the Ban Fai Museum of Ethnology. For the gourmands, there are several local delicacies, such as the Khantoke meal, consisting of “khanomjeen nam ngieuw”, a clear soup, “khai jiew naem”, omelette with sour sausage and “khanom tom”, a dessert.

Wat Prathatsuthone

festivals

Phrae has quite a few cultural festivals. The traditional Lay Krathong festival is well known, but the annual Swing Festival of hill tribes and a ceremony to worship Phrathat Chor Hae also attract many visitors. Festivals in Phrae reflect the many cultures and traditions of Phrae's residents, who come from diverse backgrounds. The original inhabitants are the Thai Lue, from the Chinese province of Yunnan, but the Tai Puan, the Karen and Burmese also belong to the core of the population.

Mae Yom National Park

Attractions Phrae

The TAT (Tourist Authority of Thailand) has compiled a list of 18 tourist attractions for Phrae, some of which I will mention:

• Wong Buri Residence, on Kham Lue Road in the center. Built in 1907 by Chinese artisans from teak wood in a European fairytale style. Behind this house is the Wong Sunan temple, whose carvings on the facade, eaves stand out. At the front of the doors you see stucco in the shape of a goat, the original residents were born in The Year of the Goat. The house has served as a venue for films and drama series on several occasions.
• Another interesting residence is Khan Chao Luang, where the last ruler of Phrae, Chao Luang Piriyatheppawong lived. The two-storey building was also built in 1892 in a mixed Thai-European style. It has 72 beautifully crafted doors and windows as well as matching facades and roof. The basement of Khum Chao Luang is about two meters high. It has rooms where prisoners and slaves were held, leading to rumors that the basement is haunted. The room in the middle is completely dark and was used for prisoners convicted of a serious crime, while the other two rooms with small windows were for those convicted of minor offenses The house has already won several awards for its exceptional architecture got.
• De City Pillar Shrine is located on Khun Deom Road in the center of Phrae. In this shrine there is a stone with an inscription from the Sukhothai period, from which one can read - in old Thai - the history of the construction of this shrine.
• What Luang on Kham Lue Road is the main curb in Phrae and is about the same age as the city itself. It has undergone several restorations. The most important features are the Chiang Saen style of the chedi, in which a sacred relic from Burma is enshrined, and the vihara (a small temple), which houses the Phra Chao Saen Luang, a Buddha statue in meditation posture in a Lanna and Sukhotai style. The temple is also a museum with antiques, including 500-year-old Buddha statues.
• De Wichai Racha residence in the center of Phrae is a Manila-style teak house, built between 1891-1895. Its wooden facade, roof, balconies, windows and doors are beautifully designed. It was the residence of Phaya Saen Srichava and then Phra Wichai Racha, who saved many Thais who were threatened to be killed by Shan traitors during the 1902 uprising. The Thais were kept hidden in the attic of this house.
• Mae Yom National Park; This national park is located 48 kilometers from the city of Phrae. The Yom River flows through the mountainous national park. On the Yom River in the park you will find the “Kaeng Sua Ten Rapids”, a two kilometer long rock formation.
• Of course also to mention is the Chomping market, a large market built in the old style, where a wide variety of fruit and vegetables, fish, meat, souvenirs and numerous Thai, Chinese and Western food stalls.

There is much more to see and experience in Phrae province, on the Internet you will find more information about the national parks, hill tribe villages, rivers, markets and of course many, many restaurants for typical Thai food from the region. A province more than worth a visit!