🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Phichit sits in Thailand's lower north, wedged between Phitsanulok and Nakhon Sawan, with the town itself laid out along the Nan River — an easy place to take slow. What makes it stand out is how it tells its own story through the legend of Krai Thong and Chalawan, the giant crocodile from classical Thai literature who has become the province's mascot. You'll spot crocodile statues and the name 'Chalawan' in just about every corner of town. We've sorted the sights into three threads — riverside nature, temples and history, and strolling around town — so you can pick and choose based on the time you have.
Riverside nature
With half a day, start at Bueng Si Fai. It's the town's main landmark and the spot where locals actually come to exercise, cycle, and sit waiting for the sunset.
Bueng Si Fai
A large freshwater lake of around 5,390 rai (roughly 8.6 sq km), one of the biggest freshwater bodies in Thailand. A cycling path of more than 10 km loops the lake, and there's a big Phya Chalawan crocodile statue that's the go-to photo spot. Bike rental runs about 100–200 THB, a sitting mat around 50 THB. Evenings get busiest as people gather for the sunset.
Princess Mother Park (Suan Somdet Phra Srinagarindra), Phichit
A public park right next to the lake area — shady and relaxed, with a playground and walking paths. A good place to bring the family for a morning or evening picnic.
Nan River through town
The river that keeps the town alive. During the late-year flood season there's a traditional long-boat race with boats named after the 'Chalawan–Krai Thong' legend. Stroll the banks in the evening for that riverside-town feel.
Tip for Bueng Si Fai
Fish and aquatic-animal feeding usually runs around 5.30–6.30 PM, which lines up nicely with sunset. If you want to catch both the feeding and good light for photos, arriving before 5 PM is about right.
Want more out of Phichit? Book tours & activities
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
Temples and history
Phichit has more old sights than you'd expect — a royal temple, ruins of the old town, and a temple tied directly to Ayutthaya history. If you're into temple visits or history, you'll get your fill here.
Wat Tha Luang (Luang Pho Phet)
A royal temple in the center of town, home to Luang Pho Phet, a Chiang Saen–style Buddha image in the subduing-Mara posture. It's the image Phichit locals revere most. Sitting right on the Nan River and easy to reach, it's usually the first stop people make to pay respects when they arrive in town.
Phichit Old City Park
The site of the original old town, about 7 km from the present-day center. Inside you'll find the old city walls, moat, and stupas dating from the Sukhothai to Ayutthaya periods. The atmosphere is shady open forest you can explore on foot or by bike, with a city pillar shrine and Chalawan legends woven into the grounds.
Wat Pho Prathap Chang
A temple and ruins over 300 years old in Pho Prathap Chang district, believed to be the birthplace of King Suea (Sanphet VIII), a late-Ayutthaya monarch. The old temple still shows its Ayutthaya-era brickwork, making it a good stop for anyone who likes walking through old architecture.
Wat Khao Rup Chang
A hillside temple in Dong Pa Kham sub-district with a golden stupa at the top, set on stacked white-stone bases that look something like an elephant — which is where the name comes from. Walk up to the top for views over the town and the surrounding fields.
Wat Tham Chalawan
An old temple in Khlong Khachen sub-district with a cave tied to the Krai Thong legend, said to have been the lair of Phya Chalawan. It's where the legend crowd and the temple crowd come to walk around and hear the story together.
If you want to understand why the town is full of crocodiles, read up on the Krai Thong–Chalawan legend before you go — it makes the sights a lot more fun, because so many spots around town reference the story, from cave names to the lakeside statue to the names of the annual race boats.
Strolling around town
- Phichit City Pillar Shrine — a spot to make a wish in the middle of town, easy to reach and good for a quick stop along the way.
- Markets and food streets in town — in the evening there are riverside restaurants and local eats, so finding dinner on foot is easy.
- Arboretum and the cycling path around the lake — mornings have nice air, great for a run or a ride the way locals do it.
What to take home
Phichit is known for Tha Khoi pomelo. Come from late in the year into early the next year and it's in season — easiest to find and at its best. Stop by an orchard or a local shop before you head home.
How to get to Phichit — is it easy to visit?
Phichit is on the northern railway line, with Phichit station right in the center of town, so you can take a direct train from Bangkok — handy if you don't drive. If you're driving yourself, take the Asian Highway (AH2) up through Nakhon Sawan; it's about 4–5 hours from Bangkok. Distances between sights in town aren't far, but a few spots like Wat Pho Prathap Chang and the Old City Park are outside town, so having your own car or a rental makes things smoothest.
Plan a full day in Phichit, with places to stay
See the Phichit travel guide →