Kamphaeng Phet

Kamphaeng Phet
Geographically located in the Lower North on the bank of the Ping River, Kamphaeng Phet is 358 kilometres from Bangkok. To its East are riverine flatlands while the western areas are made up of high mountains lush with fertile forests where a number of national parks have been established.
Areas along the river bank at present-day Muang district used to host several ancient towns which had played a major role as strategic frontline frontiers since Sukhothai was the kingdom's capital down through the times of Ayutthaya and early Rattanakosin (Bangkok) eras. In fact, the name Kamphaeng Phet actually means as strong as walls or forts made of diamonds.

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Kamphaeng Phet covers an area of 8,607 square kilometres. It is divided administratively into 9 districts, namely, Muang Kamphaeng Phet, Phran Kratai, Khlong Khlung, Khanu Woralak Buri, Sai Ngam, Lan Krabu, Khlong Lan, Sai Thong Watthana and Pang Sila Thong and 2 sub-districts, Bung Samakkhi and Kosamphi Nakhon.

The Mae Wong National Park
forms a border between Kamphaeng Phet and Nakhon Sawan and covers an area of about 894 square kilometres. Most of the land is rich in various types of plants. Along the Khlong Lan-Umphang route passing through the park's area, which leads up to the mountains, are several viewing points between Kms. 81 to 115. At Km. 102 is a beautiful road-side waterfall. Other falls within the park include the Mae Krasa, Mae Liwa and others. To visit these attractions tourists need to go on foot and overnight in the jungle.

The Khlong Lan National Park
covers an area of some 300 square kilometres over mountain ranges to the west of the province. The highest peak is about 1,400 metres. Of mainly virgin jungles, it is the source of several streams which flow into the Ping River.
The park headquarters is near the Khlong Lan waterfall about 60 kilometres from the town on the route to Khlong Lan district (highway no. 1117). Attractions within the park include the 95-metre high Khlong Lan Fall with scenic surroundings, and the Khlong Nam Lai Fall, a 9-level cascade and located off Highway no. 1117 at Km. 35 and 10 kilometres further on. The Kaeng Ko Roi (off highway No. 1117 at Pong Nam Ron intersection) is a group of rock formations jutting out of the stream looking somewhat like all islands. Visitors can camp overnight within the park.

Talat Kluai Khai
is on the Kamphaeng Phet-Nakhon Sawan highway at Km. 343. Scores of roadsides stalls display and sell both raw and ripe Kluai Khai (a type of bananas).

Wet Chang Rop


is a large temple situated on a high hill. Its main chedi of Ceylonese style is in the middle of the yard but its top part is broken down. The base is adorned with 68 half elephants between which are Bhoti shaped designs. There are also traces of demon and female dancers figures remaining. Apart from these temples, there are also several ancient sites on the east bank of the Ping River, including Wat Arwat Yai, Wat Kalothai and Phra Ruang Road.

Wat Sing


is believed to have been constructed during both the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya periods. With laterite walls, it has a square-shaped principal Chedi with arches on four sides. In front of the Ubosot are ornamental lions and Naga figurines.

Wat Phra Si lriyabot


located to the north of Wat Phra Non and has similar pond and bathroom facilities as its neighbour. Walls on the four sides are of laterite materials with an entrance also made of laterite. A Mondop structure houses Buddha statues in four postures-walking, sitting, standing and reclining in the Sukhothai artistic style. Today only the statue in the standing posture still remains.

Wat Phra Non


is fenced in by laterite walls on four sides. At the front of the temple are a square-shaped pond, bathrooms and an ancient floating pavilion which is supported by a large laterite column. The entire column was cut out in one single piece from its source and measures 1.1 meters on each side and 6.4 meters in height, the largest such stone in the country. A lion sculpture and Sema stones (boundary stones) can still be discerned. The large Wihan which once housed the Reclining Buddha has crumbled entirely.

Wat Phra Borom That
is a temple situated in the center of Muang Nakhon Chum featuring a Burmese-style Chedi. To the south is an Ubosot housing several Sukhothai-style and Ayutthaya-style bronze Buddha statues. The Chedi itself is believed to originally have been a Sukhothai-type structure, its style having been altered during a restoration work financed by a wealthy Burmese about a century ago.
Another ancient town is Muang Traitrung. It was built by King Chaisiri of Chiang Rai who fled invading enemy in 1542 B.E. (circa 999 A.D.). Today most of the structures are in disrepair with only ruins of Chedis and ramparts. The town is about 18 kilometres from Kamphaeng Phet on the Kamphaeng Phet-Khlong Lan road.

The Khlong Wang Chao National Park
Located in Kosampi Nakhon sub-district, the park ocupies an area Tak's Pradang and Wang Chao forests and Kamphaengphet's Khlong Wang Chao and Khlong Suan Mak forests.

Khao Sanam Priang Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in Tambon Kosampi, Lan Dok Mai Tok of Kosampi Nakhon sub-district and Tambon Na Bor Kham, Song Tham, Nakhonchum or Amphoe Mueang. Linked with Kanna and Kew Yao mountains, Khao Sanam Priang Wildlife Sanctuary enjoys not only fertile pinery, fern forests, but also a large variety of wildlife. With 1.5 km. trekking route, it is worth visiting. For camping tour, a written note must be sent to the department of forestry in advance. No accommodation, but camping site is available, contact tel. 0 5555 6157 or 0 2562 0760.

Muang Nakhon Chum
is an ancient town on the west bank of the Ping River. Its 2-3 metre-high earthen walls run along the waterway. It is in this area that the famous religious tablets of Kamphaeng Phet have been discovered. Within the city walls are a couple of ancient sites such as the Kamphaeng Pom Thung Sethi located on Phahonyothin Road just before entering the town. It is part of the laterite fortifications 83 metres long and 6 metres tall.

Sa Mon
is the site of the palace located to the north of Wat Phra Kaeo with a square earthen wall. Surrounding the walls on three sides are moats with a pond in the middle. There are no standing structures remaining today.

Wat Phra That
Second in size to Wat Phra Kaeo is Wat Phra That. Here the principal Chedi is built of mixture of laterite and bricks with a 15-metre wide sqaure base. The style is of Kamphaeng Phet architecture.

Wat Phra Kaeo
is a large royal temple in town centre near a site believed to have been a palace. The temple itself was used on important city events and had no monks in residence. Major features include the principal Chedi with lion-adorned base and a round Chedi with elephant-adorned base. There are also other Chedi of different bases and remains of several chapels. lts boundary is marked off by laterite walls.

City Walls and Oil Fortifications
mark the boundary of the rectangular town area, measuring 300-700 metre wide and 2,200 metre long.

Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park
Major features in the Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park include archaeological remains of ancient sites such as Muang Chakangrao to the east of the Ping River, Muang Nakhon Chum to the west and Muang Trai Trung some 18 kilometres from the town to the southwest. Services from the Tourist Centre are available, the center itself being located some 5 kilometres from town on the Kamphaeng Phet-Phran Kratai route.

The Kamphaeng Phet Chalermphrakiat Museum
nearby is made up of groups of Central Region applied architectural style structures. There are exhibitions on the local history with replicas of the city, lifestyle and urban and hill tribal customs and traditions. It also displays the development of Kamphaeng Phet votive tablets and other resources. The museum is open daily. For more in formation, call (055) 722341.

The Kamphaeng Phet National Museum
located on Pindamri Road in Muang district, houses ancient objects and other antique art articles from various eras found in the provincial town. These include sculptured and earthen designs, heads of Buddha statues, traditional celadon products, sculptures of demons and celestial and human beings used to decorate Chedi bases or Wihans. It is open Wednesday - Sunday from 9.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. More information at Tel: (055) 711570.