Phetchabun Province

Phetchabun is situated at the midpoint of Thailand, about 350 kilometres from Bangkok. It occupies an area of 12,668 square kilometres and is administratively divided into 11 districts. Wat Mahathat, as old as Petchabun city itself, has a Sukhothai-style Phum Khao Binth pagoda. In 1967, when renovations were being conducted by the Fine Arts Department, several Buddha images from various periods were found.

Wat Triphum, located on Phetcharat Road, houses a Buddha image named Phra Phuttha Maha Thammaracha which is also as old as the city. In this province, there are many forestry stations with botanical gardens and national parks. Nam Nao National Park, one of Thailand’s most beautiful and valuable parks, protects a length of the rolling sandstone hills of the Phetchabun Range through Chaiyaphum and Phetchabun Provinces.

Si Thep Historical Park in Phetchabun Province

The 45^th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, announced the list of new sites including the ancient town of Si Thep and its associated Dvaravati monuments to be inscribed as world heritage.

Si Thep is considered one of Thailand’s most significant origins of civilisation, offering evidence of human settlement from prehistoric times. This city flourished for over 800 years before succumbing to epidemics during the late 18^th – the early 19^th Buddhist century.

Si Thep is situated on a pediplain, sloping from the Northeast to the Southwest, around 5 kilometres from Pa Sak River. The city covers around 462.24 hectares², surrounded by moat and earthen dykes. It was divided into two parts which are the inner part of Muang Nai and the outer city of Muang Nok (an expansion of the city which formerly covered only the inner-city area). The inner-city area is a round shape, surrounded by a moat and earthen dykes. It covers around 208 hectares and expands to the east, forming an area called Muang Nok. The latter covers around 254.24 hectares and is also surrounded by a moat, except for the side which is connected to the inner city, thus sharing the existing moat and earthen dykes.

In the inner-city area, there are three long ancient sites with one monument which are Khao Khlang Nai, Prang Si Thep, and Prang Song Phi Nong. Apart from these three sites, there are around 55 small ancient remains around the area. There are also 70 ponds and swamps in the area as well. Having been conserved and developed, the inner city is now open to visitors.

In the outer area, around 54 ancient remains have been found, around 10 of which have been unearthed and reinforced. There is a big pond on the northern side of the centre area. Some of the areas where ancient remains can be found are still being used for agriculture.

Furthermore, there are also about 50 historical sites scattered around the outside of Si Thep, especially in the area in the north. The important sites are Khao Khlang Nok and Prang Rue Si, located in Saprue Village and Na Nam Krome Village, respectively. Both are around 2 kilometres north of Si Thep.

Another important site is Khao Tamorrat, which has a very close connection with Si Thep. It is located high up on the hill, around 20 kilometres west of the city.