Phitsanulok
is 377km (236mi) by road from Bangkok. It is one of the economically
most important provinces in the North, serving as a center for
commerce, transportation and communication.
Phitsanulok
is the birthplace of King Naresuan and his equally brave
and able brother, King Ekathotsarot. As the cross-road
between the northern and central regions of the country, Phitsanulok
has long been an important city both for political and strategic
reasons. It was a recruiting place when Ayutthaya had a war with
Burma. It was a training ground for many kings of Ayutthaya and
it was a capital of Thailand for 25 years during the reign
of King Boromtrailokkanat of Ayutthaya.
Covering an
area of 10,816sqkm (4,175sqmi), the province is divided into 9
districts. Phitsanulok's other name is Song Kwae, meaning
town or province of two rivers. Nan River is the main one,
running 128km (80mi) across the province. Kwae Noi River
(named like the more famous river running through Kanchanaburi)
joins the Nan River near Phitsanulok city. This joint river divides
Phitsanulok city into two parts, the East and the West Bank. Along
both banks of this main transportation artery of the province,
people live on house boats and house rafts. Thousands
of these houses lay afloat in the rivers while some are in the
swamps along the rivers.
Additional
information on Phitsanulok:
Attractions
