:: Lom Sak

Phu Hin Rong Kla is a popular destination located along the Phitsanulok and Phetchabun border s and offers views of exotic scenery. It was once the base of communist insurgents fighting against the government some twenty years ago.

 The Pho Khun Pha Muang Memorial at Lom Sak district in the north of Phetchabun commemorates this former ruler of the area, which was a contemporary site of the Sukhothai period.

Lom Sak District is the starting point to Phu Hin Rong Kla to the west. As the route is quite steep, extreme care should be exercised when driving.

:: Si Thep

Some 130 k ilometres south of Phetchabun on Highway No. 21, and with another 9 k ilometres after a left turn, is the Si Thep Historical Park. Si Thep is an ancient town where many architectural structures still remain, indicative of its past prosperity during the 11 th -18 th Buddhist Centuries. It was once the cent re of contact between the Dvaravati kingdom in the Central Plain basin and the Khmer kingdom in the Northeast. A twin-city, there were over one hundred ancient sites all built with bricks and laterite, most of which have crumbled. There are also remains of several ponds spread out all over the area. Most of the ancient relics recovered are parts of architectural structures such as elaborate lintels, plastered designs and Sema stone (used to mark out the limits of Buddhist temples), and human skeletons still adorned with ornamental pieces.

:: Khao Kho

Rai B.N. is a private agricultural plantation growing cold-climate crops, including various flowers which alternately bloom throughout the year. It is situated on the route to Khao K h o 3 k ilometres from Ban Camp Son, and offers fruit-based items for sale.

Khao Kho   is made up of mountain ranges to the northwest of town about 1,174 met re s above mean sea level covered in the main by deciduous plants. Very cold during November-February, it once was the base from where communist insurgents conducted their struggles against the authorities from 1968-1982. Today it is accessible via two routes; off H ighway No. 12 (Phitsa nu lok - Lom Sak) at Ban Camp Son with a further distance of 30 k ilometres, or off highway No. 21 at Ban Na Ngua, about 13 k ilometres from town with a further distance of 30 k ilometres. Both routes wind through considerably steep terrain. Interesting places include various viewing points, remains of communist bases and buildings, a war memorial, arms museum, and a C hedi containing Holy Relics, and the Si Dit Waterfall.

:: Nam Nao

The Nam Nao National Park   is an immense tract of forest still in perfect condition. With pineries, grasslands and virgin jungles, it is habitat to large number of animals and more than 100 species of birds. During December-January, the mercury could drop to as low as 2-5 degrees Celsius. The park headquarters is about 50 k ilometres to the west of Lom Sak district on Highway No. 12. Points of interest are spread out. Attractions reached by taking Highway No. 12 (Lom Sak-Chum P hae) include:-


Tham Pha Hong , 300 meters off the main road at Km.39 to the north. Within the caves are formations of stalactites and stalagmites. It is also a point from which to view the scenery at sunset.

Ban Paek Pinery, 5 k ilometres by foot off the main road at Km.49.

Phu Kum Khao Pinery , 15 k ilometres off the main road at Km.53. Densely packed pine trees cover areas of about 10 sq uare kilometres.


Heo Sai & Sai Thong Waterfalls   are both located on the same route, and can be reached on foot for a distance of 1 kilometre and 1.5 k ilometres respectively, off the main road at Km. 67.

There are also attractions on H ighway No. 2216 (Lom Kao - Hua i Sanam Sai), such as Pha Lom - Pha Kong Cliffs which are 5 k ilometres from the main road at Km. 40, and the Tham Yai Nam Nao cave near Km. 60.

:: Festival

Sweet Tamarind Day,   Sweet tamarind is grown mostly in Phetchaboon. Sweet Tamarind Day is thus organised in Phetchaboon to celebrate the harvest of this fruit. This day is also called Phetchaboon's Agricultural Day. During the festival, farmers bring their sweet tamarind to sell at reasonable prices to Phetchaboon's provincial athletic field, where contests to determine the best sweet tamarind and other crops are held. Besides this, there are other agricultural exhibitions and entertainment organised during the event.

The Bathing of Phra Buddha Mahadhamaracha Festival or Um Phra Dam Nam Ceremony, is held annually on the fifteenth day of the waning moon in the 10 th lunar month, or during the Sat Thai period in September. Phra Buddha Mahadhamaracha is a highly revered ancient Buddha image of Phetchaboon. The image was found in the Pasak River by a group of farmers four hundred years ago, and was taken to Wat Trai Phum. According to legend, the Buddha image disappeared twice from the temple and was later found in the river. It was said that the Buddha image itself had wandered out of the temple. Therefore, the ritual bathing ceremony is held. The ceremony starts at 1 p.m. The image is carried around town and put under a tent in Wat Trai Phum, so Buddhists can pay respect to it and stick gold leaf on its body. In the evening, prayers are chanted. At night, there are various kinds of entertainment. The next morning, people make merit as it is Sat Thai Day. Foods, including Krayasat, and other necessities are given to monks. The Buddha image is then taken and immersed in the Pasak River by the governor of Phetchabun, and traditional dances are performed to show respect to it. After the ceremony, the water in the river is regarded as sacred. As a result, plople swim in it or take the water to drink before the boat racing begins.