Explore Laplae
Ancient town in the valley · Legend of the Widow Town · The city where no one lies
A little town in a valley of Uttaradit, brimming with legend, ancient temples, famous fruit and hard-to-find local food — all close enough to Hua Dum Resort to see in a single day.
Where Is Laplae?
'Laplae' is a worn-down form of the word 'lap laeng', meaning hidden from the light, because the town lies among tangled hills so densely forested the sun barely reaches it — cool and quick to darken even before the sun has set. People of old gave this mysterious land the name, and it has stuck ever since.
Most Laplae folk tended durian and langsat orchards up in the hills, with the men away guarding the orchards for days at a time, leaving the women to look after home. Passers-by mostly saw only women, and so nicknamed it the 'Widow Town'.
Laplae is also known as the 'town where lying is forbidden', from the legend of townsfolk so steadfast in truth and morality that they never deceived one another. It has been a community since the Sukhothai era, and King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) visited in 1901.
Why Come to Laplae
Ancient town
A community dating back to the Sukhothai era
Famous fruit
Long Laplae durian · langsat (May–Jul)
Local food
Khao kaep · mee phan · khao phan phak
Near the resort
See it all in a single day
Standout Spots In and Around Laplae
The sights around the resort — ancient temples, landmarks, nature and the fruit market — each with its distance from Hua Dum Resort.
Wat Phra Thaen Sila At
Sacred temple, just 3 km from resort
Laplae City Gate
Iconic landmark of the 'no-lying' city
Wat Phra Boromathat Thung Yang
700-year-old ancient temple in Laplae
Mae Phun Waterfall
Multi-tiered waterfall, great for swimming
Long-Lin Durian
Famous Laplae durian, May–July season
Phraya Phichai Dap Hak Monument
The Broken-Sword Hero of Uttaradit
A Little Farther — Around Uttaradit
Beyond Laplae town itself, there are standout spots all around Uttaradit, easily reached using Hua Dum Resort as your base.
Top Attractions in Laplae & Uttaradit
8 standout spots, ranked · Latest update
How to Get to Uttaradit & Laplae
Train · Intercity bus · Driving · Onward to Laplae
The Legend of Laplae
City of Widows · No lying allowed · The legendary hidden town
Laplae Local Food
Khao phan phak · mee phan · khao kaep · Laplae's local bites
Explore Uttaradit
Home of Phraya Phichai Dap Hak · Laplae, the town of legend · A giant dam in the valley
Sirikit Dam
Thailand's largest earth-fill dam · Reservoir views amid the hills
Nam Phi Iron
The legendary steel for forging royal swords · A treasure of Uttaradit
Mon Laplae & Local Weaving
Laplae viewpoint · Home of the famous teen chok textiles
Phu Soi Dao National Park
Three-needle pine field · Hong Nak flower meadows · Mist along the border
Cafés in Laplae & Uttaradit
Coffee among the durian orchards · A break between sights in Laplae town
Laplae & Uttaradit Photo Spots
City gate · woven cloth · waterfalls · durian orchards · old temples
Laplae, the Town Where Lying Is Forbidden · Praying & Making Wishes
Pray and make wishes in a legendary town · Local beliefs and etiquette
Rafting & Boat Rides at Sirikit Dam
Cruise the reservoir amid the hills · Activities around the dam
Laplae Teen Jok Sin
Tai Yuan local weaving · Ancient patterns of Laplae
Waterfalls of Uttaradit
Mae Phun · Phu Soi Dao · Khlong Tron · finest in the rainy season
Laplae–Uttaradit itineraries
Not sure how to plan your trip? Pick a ready-made itinerary below and hit every stop without the planning hassle.
One Day in Laplae — What to See
A plan to do Laplae, Uttaradit in a single day
Uttaradit in 2 Days 1 Night
Laplae–Sirikit Dam–Phraya Phichai, all in 2 days
Uttaradit in 3 Days 2 Nights
Laplae–Sirikit Dam–Phraya Phichai–Nam Phi iron, at an easy pace
Explore Laplae by Type of Traveller
Who are you travelling with? Pick the guide that fits your group — families with kids, merit-makers visiting temples, or older travellers taking it easy.
Laplae & Uttaradit with the Family
Easy for kids, no rough going · Play in waterfalls, taste fruit · Quiet, safe stay
Laplae & Uttaradit Merit-Making Temple Trip
Just 3 km from Wat Phra Thaen Sila At · A 5-minute drive · A complete prayer route
Laplae & Uttaradit for Seniors
Easy, slow-paced, little walking, no rough going · Stay near the temple, a 5-minute drive
A Couple's Trip to Laplae
Quiet, romantic spots · Cafés and views · A private place to stay
Solo Travel in Laplae
A small, quiet, slow-paced town · Easy travelling on your own
Where to Stay in Uttaradit
Choose a stay to match your trip — near the temple, on a budget, close to the city, or to explore the whole province. Start with the overview guide, then drill into each option.
Where to Stay in Uttaradit — Choose by Your Trip
A complete zone-by-zone guide to staying in Laplae–Uttaradit · Rooms from ฿450
A Stay Near Wat Phra Thaen Sila At
Only 3 km from the temple · A 5-minute drive · Ideal for pilgrims and families
Budget Stay in Laplae & Uttaradit
Clean air-con rooms from ฿450/night · Great value · Friendly
A Stay in Uttaradit Near the City & Train Station
Easy to reach · Clean air-conditioned rooms · Great for business trips and travellers
Staying in Uttaradit Without a Car — You Can Still Get Around
Arrive by train or coach · Near the station · Explore Laplae even without a car
Stay in Laplae vs Stay in Uttaradit City — Which Is Better?
A full comparison of the two zones · Helps you decide before you book
Seasonal & Souvenir Guides
Time your trip around durian season, local souvenirs and year-round festivals
Laplae–Uttaradit vs Chiang Khan
Which should you choose? · A fair six-point comparison
Laplae & Uttaradit on a Long Weekend
New Year–Songkran · A quiet second-tier town, away from the crowds
Best Time to Visit Laplae & Uttaradit
Which season is loveliest · Fruit season May–Sep · Cool & comfortable Nov–Feb
How Much Does a Laplae–Uttaradit Trip Cost?
Estimated budget for a 2-day, 1-night trip · Stay ฿450–600
Long-Lin Laplae Durian Season
Laplae's GI durian · Ripens May–Jul · Taste and buy at the orchard
Uttaradit Langsat & Longkong
Uttaradit's prized GI fruit · Ripens Aug–Sep
Souvenirs from Laplae & Uttaradit
Khao kaep · teen jok woven cloth · durian paste · seasonal fruit
Festivals & Traditions of Uttaradit
The Phraya Phichai Dap Hak fair · Langsat-longkong festival · Laplae traditions
Long Laplae vs Lin Laplae Durian
Uttaradit's two GI durian varieties · Different in shape, flesh and taste
Where to Eat Khao Phan Phak & Mee Phan in Laplae
Laplae's signature dishes · What they are and where to find them
Hua Dong Market · Laplae Morning Market
Laplae's fruit market · Seasonal food, fresh produce & souvenirs
Famous Food of Laplae
Three local dishes handed down over many generations, found almost only in Laplae.
Khao kaep
A thin, see-through sheet of dough, almost like plastic film, made from fermented rice flour with black sesame and salt, set over the mouth of an earthen pot — a piece of local know-how that has been part of Laplae for over 200 years.
Mee phan
Blanched, delicately seasoned white rice noodles wrapped bite by bite in khao kaep — moreish, and a town speciality you'll find in only a handful of places.
Khao phan phak
Hot steamed rice sheets wrapped around an assortment of fresh vegetables and steamed through, served with a punchy dipping sauce — a tasty, healthy bite.
Best Time to Visit
Laplae is liveliest in fruit season, roughly May to July, when Long-Lin Laplae durian, langsat and longkong all ripen across the town at once — buy them fresh from the orchards at Hua Dong fruit market. The rest of the year the weather is cool and pleasant, and the temples and nature are a joy to visit all year round.
Stay at Hua Dum Resort and Explore Laplae at Your Ease
Hua Dum Resort sits in the heart of Laplae, just 3 kilometres from Wat Phra Thaen Sila At and close to nearly every sight. Head out early, come back in the evening to relax — perfect for families and older travellers.