🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Uttaradit sits on the seam between the upper central plains and the north. Most people know it as the town of Laplae and as the hometown of Phraya Phichai of the Broken Sword. It isn't big and it isn't crowded, and that's exactly its charm. Come for the first time with the right prep and you'll have an easygoing trip with no one to elbow for space.
How to get to Uttaradit
The easiest option for first-timers is the northern railway line. Uttaradit's station is a Class 1 station right in town, and nearly every Bangkok–Chiang Mai service stops here. The trip takes about 7–9 hours from Bangkok, with fares from roughly 230 THB for third class up to air-conditioned sleepers in the low thousands. Buses run from Mo Chit daily, and driving yourself along the Asia Highway (Routes 11/12) is straightforward too.
- Train — arrive at Uttaradit station in the town center; easy to continue from there, ideal if you don't have a car
- Bus — from Mo Chit to the Uttaradit bus terminal, several runs a day
- Driving — the most flexible, since the sights are spread across several districts; best if you plan to reach Sirikit Dam or Laplae
Getting around town
Uttaradit doesn't have the kind of public transport you'd find in a big city. If you arrive by train and want to see Laplae and the dam, renting a car or motorbike in town is the way to go, since the main sights are 10–60 km apart.
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.
When to go
Uttaradit works year-round, but each season has its own feel. If you like cool, comfortable weather, come from late in the year into early the next. If you're here for the fruit, you'll want the rainy mid-year months.
- November–February — cool and comfortable, great for walking around Laplae and heading up into the hills; clear skies and good photos
- May–August — durian season for the Long Laplae and Lin Laplae varieties, plus langsat and longkong, the province's signature fruit; orchards open for tasting
- March–April — central-plains hot; still doable but skip walking in the midday sun and lean on temples and cafes
Local fruit
Long Laplae and Lin Laplae are durian varieties that grow especially well around Laplae — dry flesh, small seeds, high price, and limited supply. They only appear mid-year, so if you arrive in season, count yourself lucky.
Food you have to try
Uttaradit has local dishes you won't easily find elsewhere, especially Laplae's khao pan phak and mee pan. Work your way through these.
Khao Pan Phak
Freshly steamed rice-flour sheets wrapped around vegetables, egg, and meat, served with a well-balanced dipping sauce. It's a Laplae snack that families have made for generations — soft, easy to keep eating.
Mee Pan
A rice cracker wrapped around boldly seasoned noodles — sour and spicy from lime and chili flakes. It's a cousin of khao pan phak that Laplae locals eat alongside it.
Khao Kaep
Thin flour sheets dried in the sun, then grilled or eaten fresh — an old Laplae craft. Easy to pick up as a souvenir to take home.
Long Laplae & Lin Laplae durian
Local durian varieties with fine, dry flesh and small seeds — sweet and rich. They appear mid-year and run pricey, but worth it if you get the real thing straight from the orchard.
Laplae langsat & longkong
The province's signature fruit — small, sweet with a hint of tart. There's an annual festival when the fruit comes in, and they're a popular souvenir to carry home.
Kuay teow ho / made-to-order spots in town
In town you'll find noodle shops and rice-and-curry stalls at easy prices, open morning to evening — good for a proper meal before or after heading out of town.
The main sights you can't miss
Laplae Town Gate
The symbol of Laplae, built in an applied Sukhothai style, with a widow statue tied to the legend of a town where lying was forbidden. It's the first check-in spot in Laplae.
Mae Phun Waterfall
A limestone waterfall that cascades down in tiers. It's been shaped a bit by hand, but it's pretty and shallow enough to splash around — shady and good for a midday break.
Sirikit Dam
The largest earth-fill dam in Thailand, in Tha Pla district, with viewpoints over a reservoir that stretches to the horizon, pretty gardens, and a fish sanctuary.
In townPhraya Phichai Monument
In front of the provincial hall in the town center, honoring the hero who's a fixture of Uttaradit. It's an easy starting point for exploring the town on foot.
TempleWat Phra Thaen Sila At
Home to the Phra Thaen Sila At, a sacred object of the province, with a local museum to wander through. Good for temple and history fans.
Laplae Museum
Recreates old Laplae life — the rice barns, the post-birth confinement traditions, the lullabies — and helps the town's legend make a lot more sense.
A 2-day, 1-night plan for first-timers
This plan is built for first-timers who want it all — Laplae town, the local food, and some nature — without rushing. Adjust the timing to your train schedule or when you reach town.
Town center + Laplae
Sirikit Dam + temple + souvenirs
If you only have one day
Drop Sirikit Dam and focus on Laplae town — the gate, the museum, khao pan phak, and Mae Phun Waterfall — and you'll get the full Laplae feel in a single day.
Things to know before you go
- Bring cash — many local shops and orchards still mainly take cash
- Plan your transport — sights are spread across several districts, so without your own car, rent one or hire a driver for the day
- Check the fruit season — to taste real Laplae durian or longkong, you need to come mid-year
- Book lodging ahead — there aren't many hotels in town, and they fill up fast during the fruit festival and long weekends
Plan a full Uttaradit trip — where to stay, eat, and go, all in one place
See the Uttaradit travel guide →