🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Phichit sits in Thailand's lower-north region, about 320 km from Bangkok, a pass-through town between Nakhon Sawan and Phitsanulok. Plenty of people drive past without stopping, even though the town itself has a fair bit to see: Bueng Si Fai lake, Wat Tha Luang, the Old City Park, and the Chalawan crocodile legend that gives the town its character. Before you head out, check three things: when to go, what it'll cost, and what to bring.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Phichit?
Phichit works year-round, but if you have to choose, two windows are clearly better than the rest: the cool season when the weather is comfortable, and the traditional long-boat racing festival when the whole town comes alive.
Cool season (November–February)
The best weather of the year. The sun isn't harsh, so you can stroll Bueng Si Fai lake, the Old City Park, or sit at a riverside cafe without breaking a sweat. Around late December, Bueng Si Fai usually hosts a year-end festival with light displays and special activities, a good fit for a family trip.
Traditional long-boat racing festival (late August–early September)
The town's big annual event, competing for the royal trophy, held on the Nan River in front of Wat Tha Luang. It's a tradition more than a century old. The riverside buzzes during this time, with a market and crowds cheering from both banks, the kind of fun, local temple-fair atmosphere. Check the exact dates each year, since they shift with the end-of-Buddhist-Lent calendar.
Rainy season (June–October)
Green rice fields, a full lake, and fresh, lush views, but you'll need to allow for daytime rain. A good fit if you don't mind the sun and can handle a shower or two. The upside is fewer people and easy-to-find lodging.
A tip on the boat-race dates
Phichit's long-boat racing festival is tied to the end of Buddhist Lent, so it doesn't fall on the same date every year. Some years it's late August, others early September. Before planning, double-check with the Phichit Provincial Long-Boat Racing Festival page or the Phichit Municipality. And if you're set on seeing it, book a room in town well ahead, because they fill up fast.
Roughly How Much Does a Day in Phichit Cost?
Phichit is an inexpensive town. Food is cheap, lodging ranges from guesthouses to mid-range hotels, and most attractions are free or very cheap. Here's a rough budget per person per day, not counting the round-trip to and from Bangkok.
- Budget: 700–1,000 THB/day — stay in a guesthouse or small hotel, eat at local spots and markets, visit free sights like Bueng Si Fai, the temples, and the Old City Park, and get around by rented motorbike or on foot.
- Comfortable: 1,200–1,800 THB/day — a mid-range hotel in town, eating at both local spots and cafes, with some budget for songthaews/taxis and a few souvenirs.
- Relaxed: 2,000 THB and up/day — a nicer hotel, riverside cafes, a rental car to explore around the province, with room for a day trip to Phitsanulok or Nakhon Sawan.
Lodging in town mostly runs around 500–1,200 THB a night, a rice-and-curry plate or bowl of noodles is 40–70 THB, and a Tha Khoi pomelo to eat or take home costs just a few dozen baht each. Plan well and a two-day, one-night Phichit trip comes in comfortably under a couple thousand baht.
Prices rise during festivals
During the long-boat festival and year-end period, lodging in town gets pricier and fills up fast. If you're coming then, book ahead, or consider staying in a nearby district for a better rate.
Getting to Phichit and Around Town
Phichit is on the northern railway line (Bangkok–Chiang Mai), so there are several ways to get there. Pick what suits your budget and schedule.
Train
Take the northern line from Bangkok's Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station and get off at Phichit station in the center of town. It takes about 5–7 hours depending on the service, with fares starting in the low hundreds. A good fit for a relaxed traveler who isn't in a rush, and it's easy to reach the town once you arrive.
Private car
About 4.5 hours from Bangkok on the Asia Highway, roughly 320 km. The most convenient option if you want to explore the province on your own or continue on to Phitsanulok or Phetchabun.
Bus/van
There are coaches from Mo Chit to Phichit and nearby provinces, good if you'd rather not drive. Once you arrive, take a songthaew or motorbike taxi to the sights.
The town of Phichit isn't large, and the main sights like Bueng Si Fai, Wat Tha Luang, and the Old City Park are close together. Driving yourself is the most convenient. Without a car, rent a motorbike or use songthaews/motorbike taxis to hop between spots.
What to Wear in Phichit
Phichit involves a lot of outdoor sightseeing, around the lake, along the river, and at temples, so what you wear comes down mainly to the season and the place.
- Cool season — daytime sun is fine for light clothes, but mornings and evenings get breezy and cool, so bring a light cover-up or jacket, especially if you're heading out to catch the sunset at Bueng Si Fai.
- Hot season/general — breathable clothes in light fabrics and pale colors. A hat and sunglasses help a lot when you're walking outdoors around the lake.
- Visiting temples — at Wat Tha Luang and other important temples, dress modestly: sleeved tops, pants or skirts that cover the knee, and skip spaghetti straps and very short shorts.
- Footwear — go for comfortable walking shoes, since there's a fair bit of walking around the lake and at the temples. Sneakers or sturdy walking sandals beat formal shoes here.
Coming for the boat race
If you're coming to watch the long-boat racing, the midday sun by the river is fairly strong. Bring a hat, an umbrella, and sunscreen so you can sit and cheer a lot longer.
What to Pack
The essentials are no different from any small-town trip, but a few things will make Phichit go more smoothly.
- Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses — you'll catch plenty of sun around the lake and river, and this set genuinely helps.
- Foldable umbrella or rain jacket — in the rainy season for daytime showers; in the hot season it doubles as sun protection.
- A light cover-up — for cool-season mornings and evenings, and for temple visits where you'll need to dress modestly.
- Personal and basic medications — it's a small town with few late-night pharmacies, so bringing your usual meds is more reassuring.
- Cash on hand — local shops, markets, and many souvenir stalls mostly take cash, so keep some small bills.
- A bag for souvenirs — Tha Khoi pomelo and other Phichit goods are worth buying, so leave a little extra room for the trip home.
How Many Days Is Enough?
Phichit is an easygoing place, no need to rush. How many days you need depends on how deep you want to go.
- 1 day — enough for the in-town highlights: Bueng Si Fai, Wat Tha Luang, and the Old City Park, plus a little local food. Good for people driving through who want to stop.
- 2 days, 1 night — just right. You'll cover the town fully, with time for a riverside cafe, the Bueng Si Fai sunset, and some souvenir shopping.
- 3 days — leaves room to head out of town to the Tha Khoi pomelo orchards, the outer temples, or to continue on to nearby Phitsanulok/Nakhon Sawan.
Ready? Let's look at where to go and where to stay in Phichit next
See the Phichit travel guide →