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province in the Lower North, Uttaradit has a long history developing
through the years since pre-history time. The site of original town,
then called Bang Pho Tha It, was located on the right bank of the Nan
river. It flourished as a port for goods transportation. As a result,
King Rama V elevated its status into a province and re-named it Uttaradit,
literally the port of the north.
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Uttaradit
covers an area of 7.838 square kilometres and is divided into
the following districts: Muang, Tron, Lap Lae, Phichai, Tha Pla,
Nam Pat, Fak Tha, Ban Khok and Thong Saen Khan.
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is the source of the best quality steel which was
used to fashion swords and weapons in the past. Today, there
are still two "wells" in existence. Ores from
these two sources are believe to have been used to make
swords for kings only. This ancient site can be reached
by going for a distance of 42 kilometres to Thong Saen Khan
district and continue for another 14 kilometres on Highway
1245.
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in Nam Pat district about 80 kilometres
from town on Highways Nos. 1045, 1146 and 1047, features
the largest teak tree in the world. It has a circumference
of 9.87 metres and is believed to be about 1,500 years old.
Unfortunately, its top has been broken of by storm but the
trunk still stands.
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at Tha Pla district some 68 kilometres from town on the
Uttaradit-Tha Pla Road. Built to dam up the Nan River, the
dike is 800 metres long. Beyond the dam is a large lake
with beautiful scenery. During the cool season, the attractively
landscape terrain bursts out in a profusion of colourful
flowers and blooms. There are accommodation and boating
services available.
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Located at Ban Ton Klua, is about twenty kilometres from
town. The dam-like barrier creates multi-level cascades
amid pleasant natural surroundings.
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A little further
from Wat Phra Yun, some 14 kilometres from is Wat
Phra Thaen Sila Art. The major feature is the base of
the sermon platform built with laterite. The square slab
with pattern is believed to have been made during the Sukhothai
Period.
Annual celebrations
are held at the three temples in February.
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near Wat Phra Borom That Thung Yang,
features a Chiang Saen-style Mondop which covers a pair
of holy footprints. It also houses a Sukhothai-style Buddha
statue cast in bronze.
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in Lap Lae district, commemorates
a community leader who was highly respected by the townspeople.
The Chinese-descended tax collector on alcohol products
contributed tremendously to the development of the community
and was rewarded with the rank of Phra Si Phanommat from
King Rama V.
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can be reached from the provincial
town by taking Highway No. 102, taking a right turn after
about 3 kilometres onto Highway No. 1041 and continue on
for a further 6 kilometres. The site was originally an ancient
community during Ayutthaya Period. It served as a secret
hide-out for people in Phrae and Nan who fled from enemy
or calamity as its location was sandwiched in between mountains.
Today Lap Lae is also a major producer of Langsat, the province's
famous fruit.
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about three kilometres from Muang district
at Tambon Ban Kae, is an old temple with beautiful plaster
bas-reliefs over the Ubosot. lnside are rare wall murals
of the Early Rattanakosin Period style depicting the Jataka
and assemblage age of celestial beings.
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Once the official residence of the provincial governor,
the Uttaradit Provincial Cultural Hall houses important
historical relics. A major item is the "Yan Mat"
a carved wooden carrying pole made by Late Ayutthaya Period
craftsmen.
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is installed
in front of the town hall erected in honour of a hero. As
governor of Muang Phichai (south of Uttaradit) about 200
years ago during the Thon Buri period, he valiantly fought
with Burmese evaders until one of his swords broke in two.
But he prevailed over them. Hence the sobriquet "Phichai
of the Broken Sword".
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To the east of town about three kilometres away on Samranrun
Road is Wat Yai Tha Sao. It features an old Wihan
with beautiful wood-carved door panels and lintels.
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Located in town on the Nan River bank is Wat Tha Thanon
which houses Luang Pho Phet the principal Buddha
statue of the Chiang Saen style and cast in bronze.
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at In Chai Mi intersection is
where the door panels of the large and ancient Wihan of
Wat Phra Fang are kept. The panels, made of wood, measure
2.2 metre wide x 5.3 metre high. The carved design is of
the graceful style of the Late Ayutthaya Period. They are
rated as the second best such creation next only to those
at Wat Suthat in Bangkok.
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