Home Destinations Uttaradit 🧭 Plan Your Trip 🔎 Search About
Home › Thailand › Uttaradit › Uttaradit in 3 Days Old Town, Laplae, the Dam & Nam Phi
🗺️ Uttaradit travel plan

Uttaradit in 3 Days
Old Town, Laplae, the Dam & Nam Phi

Uttaradit is one of those provinces a lot of people just drive through on the way to Nan or Phrae, but there's actually enough here to fill three good days: the old town built around the Phraya Phichai legend, the legend-soaked town of Laplae, Mae Phun Waterfall, Sirikit Dam (Thailand's largest earth-fill dam), and the Nam Phi iron pits where ancient sword steel came from. We've laid out a route that doesn't backtrack, so the driving stays easy and you eat well.

🏛️ Old town + Laplae💧 Sirikit Dam⚔️ Nam Phi iron pits
Uttaradit in 3 Days Old Town, Laplae, the Dam & Nam Phi

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

This plan assumes you're driving your own car or renting one in town, because the sights are scattered in different directions. Laplae sits about 8–10 km west of the town center, Sirikit Dam is to the north (Tha Pla district) around 60 km away, and the Nam Phi iron pits are to the southeast (Thong Saen Khan district) about 50 km out. So we've given each day its own direction, letting you loop out and back without retracing your route.

The 3-day plan at a glance

  • Day 1 — In town + the old town of Laplae Start gently in the town center at the Phraya Phichai monument, then head into Laplae for the town gate and Mae Phun Waterfall.
  • Day 2 — Sirikit Dam + nature up north Drive up to Tha Pla, walk the dam crest, take in the reservoir, and eat fish by the water.
  • Day 3 — Nam Phi iron pits + old temples in Thung Yang Stop by the Nam Phi iron legend before heading home, and close the trip with Sukhothai-era temples.
🎟️

Book the activities in your Uttaradit trip ahead

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.

🎟️ Top tours in UttaraditHighlights, guided Klook 🎟️ Uttaradit attractions & ticketsSkip-the-line entry tickets Klook 🚐 Day trips from UttaraditOut and back in a day Klook 🌎 Uttaradit activities (GetYourGuide)Global tour marketplace GetYourGuide
🎟️ See all Uttaradit tours & activities (Klook)

Day 1 — Town center + the old town of Laplae

No need to rush on day one, since everything sits close together. The town center and Laplae are only a 15–20 minute drive apart, which makes it a good warm-up day to get a feel for the place.

Day 1

In town, then on to Laplae

09:00
Phraya Phichai Dap Hak MonumentIn front of the provincial hall and the town's main landmark. Inside there's a museum telling the story of his battles and Ayutthaya-era life. Free entry.
10:30
Wat Tha Thanon + the Nan RiverAn old temple in the middle of town that locals hold dear. You can stroll along the Nan River here — quiet and relaxed.
12:00
Lunch in townTry khao pan phak, an Uttaradit local dish, or a bowl of noodles from one of the long-running shops in town.
13:30
Into Laplae — the old town gateThe photo spot at the entrance to the old town, with statues of the widow and the 'town where you can't tell lies' legend that tells the story of mythical Laplae.
14:30
Mae Phun WaterfallA waterfall where concrete tiers were built so the water cascades like a natural fall. The pools are shallow enough to wade in, and the area is surrounded by langsat and longkong orchards.
16:30
Walk the Laplae market / cafesPick up Long-Lin Laplae durian (in season), khao kaep crackers, and mi pan — local treats to take home.
18:30
Back to your hotel in town + dinnerMu kratha (Thai barbecue) or a restaurant along the Nan River — an easy way to wrap up the first day.

Laplae tip

If you come in June through August you'll hit Laplae's durian and langsat season right on time. The hillside orchards open for tasting at the source, and the prices beat buying in town.

Day 2 — Sirikit Dam + nature up north

Today's drive is a bit longer — about 60 km from town to Sirikit Dam, roughly an hour and a bit. The last stretch is winding mountain road but in good condition. Head out a little early for the cool air and nicer light.

Day 2

Up to the dam, Tha Pla district

08:00
Leave town, heading for Tha Pla districtFill up the tank before you go — there are fewer gas stations around Tha Pla than in town.
09:30
Sirikit Dam crestThailand's largest earth-fill dam, holding back the Nan River. The wide reservoir is ringed by mountains, and you can walk the crest to take photos.
11:00
Viewpoint above the dam / parkThe grounds around the dam are nicely landscaped, with view pavilions — a good spot to sit and catch the breeze.
12:30
Lakeside fish lunchThe restaurants by the dam are known for fresh freshwater fish — grilled tako fish, fried giant gourami — eaten with a view over the reservoir.
14:00
Boat ride on the reservoir (if running)At certain times there are scenic boat trips above the dam. Check at the tourist service point first.
16:00
Drive back into townThe road passes rice fields and mountain views along the way — pull over at a viewpoint for photos.
18:30
Dinner + downtime in townPick a cafe or a chill restaurant in town tonight and save your energy for the last day.

Timing the dam visit

The dam crest and government areas have set opening and closing hours, usually accessible during daytime. Aim to arrive before 3 pm so you have time to wander at an easy pace without rushing back.

Day 3 — Nam Phi iron pits + old temples in Thung Yang

The last day heads southeast. The Nam Phi iron pits are in Thong Saen Khan district, about 50 km from town — a little over an hour's drive. It's a spot most travelers haven't gotten to, but it's the legendary source of the steel used to forge royal swords in ancient times. On the way back, stop at the old temples on the Thung Yang side before continuing your journey home.

Day 3

The Nam Phi iron legend, closing with old temples

08:30
Leave town for Thong Saen Khan districtPack up and check out first, since today you'll drive straight home afterward.
10:00
Nam Phi iron pits + museumAn ancient steel source with the Phra Saeng pit and the Phra Khan pit — iron believed to have been forged into royal swords. The museum tells the story of iron smelting and the town's legends.
11:30
Buy Nam Phi iron souvenirsThere are shops selling knives, replica swords, and amulets made from Nam Phi iron — a local-only souvenir you won't find anywhere else.
12:30
Lunch on the way backFind a restaurant along the Thong Saen Khan–town road — noodles or made-to-order dishes at a local spot.
14:00
Wat Phra Thaen Sila At + Wat Phra Borommathat Thung YangSukhothai- and Ayutthaya-era temples on the Thung Yang side near Laplae, with a laterite stone seat and a lotus-bud-shaped chedi. Close the trip at the sacred sites that anchor the town.
15:30
Last round of souvenirs, then head homeDurian paste, langsat, khao kaep crackers — grab a few before saying goodbye to Uttaradit.

What to get around Uttaradit in

  • Private car / rental — by far the easiest, since the sights are spread out and public transport between districts is limited.
  • Rental motorbike — fine for getting around town and nearby Laplae, but for the longer runs to the dam or Nam Phi you'll want a car.
  • Hired car + driver — if you're a group and don't want to drive yourselves, you can hire a local car by the day, with the price agreed based on the route.

Adjusting the plan for your group

If you're traveling with older relatives or small kids, swap days 2 and 3. Keep the walking-heavy day (Laplae and the waterfall) for when everyone's still fresh, then save the dam — which is mostly riding in the car — for the last day.

Want a well-located place to base yourself for these 3 days?

See well-reviewed Uttaradit hotels →

FAQ

Are 3 days enough for Uttaradit?

Just right. Three days covers the town center, the old town of Laplae with Mae Phun Waterfall, Sirikit Dam, and the Nam Phi iron pits, with each day going in one direction so you don't backtrack. If you only have 2 days, drop the Nam Phi iron pits first.

Is Sirikit Dam far from Uttaradit town?

About 60 km, roughly an hour and a bit of driving. The final stretch is winding mountain road but in good condition. We'd suggest leaving early and filling up the tank before you leave town.

Are the Nam Phi iron pits worth visiting?

Worth it if you're into history and local legend. It's an ancient steel source believed to have supplied the iron for royal swords, with a museum that tells the story and shops selling Nam Phi iron souvenirs you can't find elsewhere. But if you're short on time and not big on history, you can skip it.

When's the best time to visit Uttaradit?

June through August lines up with Laplae's durian and langsat season, so you can eat fruit straight from the orchards. The late-rainy, early-cool season (October to February) brings pleasant cool weather that's great for the dam and nature.

Do you need a car to travel around Uttaradit?

We'd recommend it, since the sights are scattered across different districts and public transport between them is limited. If you didn't drive in yourself, you can rent a car or hire one with a driver in town.

Related

🗺️ Uttaradit travel guide🏨 Top 10 Uttaradit hotels🏛️ Exploring the old town of Laplae💧 Visiting Sirikit Dam

Copyright & Image Takedown Policy

Thailandaddict is created to review and share travel experiences. Where an image is sourced from elsewhere, we credit the source. If you are the copyright owner and prefer that your image not appear on this site, please contact us and we will gladly remove the image or correct the information.