Explore Uttaradit
Home of Phraya Phichai Dap Hak · Laplae, the town of legend · A giant dam in the valley
Uttaradit is a small province of Thailand's lower north that hides more stories than you'd expect — a national hero, an ancient town of legend, the largest earth-fill dam in Thailand, sacred steel and legendary durian. This guide gathers the province's highlights in one place and shows you the easiest base from which to explore them all.
Why Visit Uttaradit
Uttaradit is a province of the lower north, about 491 kilometres from Bangkok — roughly a 6-hour drive along the Asia Highway (Route 32) and then Route 11 through Nakhon Sawan and Phitsanulok — or an easy ride on the northern railway to Uttaradit station. It's a place many pass through and overlook, even though it's full of hidden gems.
Uttaradit's charm is its variety in a single province — merit-makers have ancient temples like Wat Phra Thaen Sila At and Wat Phra Borommathat Thung Yang; history lovers have the Phraya Phichai Dap Hak monument and the legend of Nam Phi iron; nature lovers have Sirikit Dam and Mae Phun waterfall; and foodies have Long-Lin Laplae durian and hard-to-find local dishes.
Best of all, most of the sights cluster around Mueang, Laplae and nearby districts, so you can string them together in a single trip — perfect for families, older travellers, and anyone wanting to escape the city for somewhere peaceful. Use one stay as your base and head out morning and evening with ease.
From Bangkok
About 491 km (~6 hrs)
Best time to visit
Year-round · fruit May–Jul
Local specialities
Long-Lin Laplae durian · Nam Phi iron
Getting there
Car via Route 32+11 · northern railway
The Highlights to Cover Across the Province
Home of Phraya Phichai Dap Hak
Uttaradit is the birthplace of Phraya Phichai Dap Hak, a trusted general of King Taksin the Great who fought on even after his sword broke in his hand. His monument stands proudly in front of the Provincial Hall, a landmark and a source of civic pride.
Laplae, the legendary 'no-lying' town
Laplae district is an ancient town in a valley, famous for the legend of the 'Widow Town' and its rule against lying. It has the Laplae city gate, time-honoured temples, teen-jok woven cloth, and hard-to-find local dishes like khao kaep and mee phan.
Sirikit Dam, the largest earth-fill dam in Thailand
The country's largest multipurpose earth-fill dam, holding back the Nan River in Tha Pla district. Above the dam stretches a vast reservoir ringed by green mountains — a popular spot for dam-crest views and raft trips.
Nam Phi iron, the legendary steel of royal swords
The ancient iron pits in Thong Saen Khan district, source of a sacred steel once reserved for forging the swords of kings, and believed to be the steel of the sword carried by Phraya Phichai Dap Hak. Today there's a museum and sword-forging demonstrations to see.
Long-Lin Laplae durian & GI fruit
The province's most celebrated produce — Long Laplae and Lin Laplae durian, both GI-registered, with fine, creamy flesh and a gentle aroma — alongside langsat and longkong, ripening across the whole town from May to July. Buy them fresh at Hua Dong fruit market.
Where to Stay When You Visit Uttaradit → Hua Dum Resort
Hua Dum Resort is a homely, clean, affordable, friendly stay in Uttaradit, right in the heart of Laplae — only 3 kilometres from Wat Phra Thaen Sila At and close to nearly all the province's sights. Use it as a base to head out morning and evening with ease — ideal for families and older travellers. Easy to book via LINE.