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THE
NORTH I CENTRAL
&
EAST
COAST I THE
NORTHEAST I THE
SOUTH |
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Chiang
Mai
I
Chiang
Rai
I
Kamphaengphet
I
Lampang
I
Lamphun
I
Mae
Hong
Son
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Tak
I
Nakhon
Sawan
I
Nan
I
Phayao
I
Phetchabun
I
Phichit
I
Phitsanulok
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Phrae
I
Sukhothai
I
Uthai
Thani
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 Covering some 105,815 square kilometers,
Phitsanulok
is
377
kilometers
north
of
Bangkok.
It
borders
Uttaradit
Province
on
the
North,
Phichit
Province
on
the
South,
Loei
and
Phetchabun
Provinces
on
the
East,
and
Kamphaeng
Phet
and
Sukhothai
Provinces
on
the
West.
Situated
on a
strategic
location
dividing
Thailands
Central
and
Northern
regions,
and
connecting
to
the
Northeastern
region,
Phitsanulok
is
undeniably
an
important
hub
and
an
ideal
base
for
travelers
wishing
to
explore
the
lower
North
and
western
Northeast.
Phitsanulok,
however,
is
not
just
a
stopover
for
tourists,
but
is a
province
with
promising
tourism
opportunities. |
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Phitsanulok City spans the banks of
Maenam
Nan
and
has
Maenam
Kwae
Noi
running
through
it.
Therefore,
it
is
locally
known
and
historically
referred
to
as
Song
Kwae
City
(song
means
two
and
kwae
means
a
river).
Most
of
Phitsanulok's
terrain
is
flatlands,
with
one
third
of
the
area
being
mountain
ranges
on
the
north
and
the
east.
Its
unique
natural
endowments
including
natural
parks
and
waterfalls
make
a
trip
to
Phitsanulok
worthwhile. |
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Apart from its exceptional natural charisma, Phitsanulok provides
visitors
with
an
opportunity
to
explore
notable
chapters
of
Thailand's
history.
For
example,
remains
of
an
ancient
community
dating
back
between
2,000-4,000
years,
including
old
stone
axes,
was
found
here.
In
addition,
the
old
temple
of
Wat
Chula
Mani,
situated
5
kilometers
south
of
the
city,
was
built
even
before
the
Sukhothai
Kingdom
burst
into
power. |
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Phitsanulok prospered along with the powerful Sukhothai (1238-1378)
and
Ayutthaya
(1350
1767)
Kingdoms.
In
particular,
it
played
a
strategic
role
in
the
Ayutthaya
era
when
it
had
become
the
Kingdoms
royal
capital
for
25
years
during
the
reign
of
King
Borom
Trailokanat. |
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Phitsanulok is also the birthplace of King Naresuan the Great (reigned
1590-1605)
the
legendary
King
who
declared
Ayutthayas
independence
from
Burma
in
1584.
King
Naresuan
the
Great
is
known
for
his
victorious
and
honorable
single
hand
combat
on
elephant
back
Yutthahatti
against
a
Burmese
Crown
Prince.
His
heroic
power
and
strong
dedication
to
expelling
the
invaders
from
his
motherland
saved
the
country,
and
truly
united
the
Kingdom
which
later
was
known
as
Siam
and
currently
known
as
Thailand. |
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Phitsanulok was also a strategic location for other Ayutthaya Kings
as
it
was
a
major
center
for
military
recruitment
and
a
training
camp
when
Ayutthaya
waged
wars
with
Burma. |
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