Phitsanulok

Phitsanulok is an important and historic city in lower northern and is the capital of, which stretches all the way to the Laotian border. Phitsanulok is one of the oldest cities in Thailand, founded over 600 years ago. It is probably best known as the birthplace of King, who freed the country from Burmese domination in the late 16th Century, and his brother and successor King (Sanpet III). As the cross-road between the northern and central regions of the country, it has long been important both for political and strategic reasons, and was fought over many times in centuries past. Phitsanulok was the capital of Thailand for 25 years during the reign of King of. Located on the banks of the Nan River, the city was originally a small Khmer outpost known as Song Kwae, before the changed its course in the 11th Century A.D.  Phitsanulok was also a provincial center of the  during the Angkorian period. Phitsanulok is home to and, as well as to a major  base.

Etymology

 * Song Kwae-The first element song means the number two. The second element khwae means tributary.  A loose translation of the entire name would be Two Rivers.
 * Phitsanulok-The first element Phitsanu (Thai: พิษณุ) is a cognate of, a Hindu god (see, e.g. Witnu, Thai:  วิษณุ).  Lack of a v sound in the Thai language accounts for the two forms.  The second element lok (Thai:  โลก) means globe or world.  A loose translation of the entire name would be Vishnu's Heaven.

Geography
Phitsanulok is located approximately 377 km north of.

Climate
Phitsanulok has a hot tropical climate with considerable annual rainfall. There is a dry season and a rainy season. The rainy season begins in the spring and ends in a hot, dry summer. It starts again in September and runs to November. The months of December and January tend to be pleasantly cool.

Topography
Phitsanulok is primarily flat lands with some hills. The eastern portion of the city has some wooded area. The city is situated in the, which is part of the. Phitsanulok is sometimes called Song Kwae, the city of two rivers, an ancient name dating to a time centuries ago when the and  Rivers met near the city. Today, only the flows through Phitsanulok.

Khmer Empire
During the 11th century, the city of Phitsanulok was but a small Khmer outpost called Song Khwae, meaning two rivers. At that time, the and  Rivers both flowed through the city, making it a strategic gateway to northern Thailand.

Sukhothai Period

 * Phitsanulok was the major city in the east of the.
 * Construction of Wat Aranyik and

Ayutthaya Period

 * was constructed in 1357.
 * King moved the capital of the  to Phitsanulok in  to strengthen the northern boundary of the kingdom.
 * Construction of and  during reign of King
 * King Borommatrailokanat's successor returned the capital of the  to Ayutthaya.
 * In, King the Great was born in the city.
 * Phitsanulok was a major place of recruitment during 's war with.
 * Mother-of-pearl inlaid doors were built for the entrance to in 1756 by order of King.

19th Century
King ordered the restoration of.

20th Century

 * The Phitsanulok fire of 1955 destroyed much of the older portion of the city of Phitsanulok.
 * On Nov 28, 1961, the King Naresuan Shrine was completed at Chandra Palace.
 * On January 25, 1967, the Phitsanulok campus of what is now Naresuan University was established as the northern branch of the College of Education.
 * was constructed throughout the span of 1976 to 1985 on the as part of the Phitsanulok Irrigation Project. The dam was designed to help prevent flooding of the city.

Recent Events

 * In June, 2001, Phitsanulok hosted the.

Government
The chief executive of the city is the mayor. During election campaigns, candidates use signs, vehicles with loud speakers, and political parades to obtain voters.

Royal Thai Army
Phitsanulok is home to the of the Royal Thai Army, responsible for the northern and northwestern parts of the kingdom..

Channels of Public Communication
The main channels for communication in the city are television and radio, although internet use is emerging in Phitsanulok. The following public television and radio stations are broadcast from Phitsanulok:


 * Sathaanii Witthayu Krajaisiang Thahaan Aakaat ( Radio Station), 954 AM and 95.75, in the City of
 * Witthayu Kong Phon Thahaan Raap Thii Sii, 1377 AM, at
 * Sathaanii Witthayu Phitaksantiraat (Communications Division, ), 1422 AM, in City


 * PRD-11 (television channel 7, owned and operated by the Government Public Relations Department)
 * ARMY-5 (television channel 11, owned and operated by the )

Ethnic Diversity
The majority ethnicity in the city is Thai. Others in the city consider themselves of decent.

Language
The vast majority of residents of Phitsanulok speak. Some residents speak as well.

Religion
The people of Phitsanulok are predominantly Buddhists (as are 95% of the Thai population as a whole), although some minority religions are practiced.

Educational Institutions
(abbreviated as Mor Nor for Mahawithayalai Naresuan) is an educational center of the Lower Northern region of Thailand. Located in Tambon, near the city of Phitsanulok, the university is named after King the Great, and the campus contains a large statue of him. Other universities and colleges in or around the city include (a private college),,  and the Phitsanulok campus of the. There are also a number of kindergartens, elementary schools, high schools and vocational schools in the province.

Hospitals
There are several hospitals in the city, both public and private.

Temples
The city is home to the following 12 active temples where is practiced by city residents:
 * Wat Tamajak (วัดธรรมจักร)
 * Wat Mai Opayaram (วัดใหม่อภัยาราม)
 * Wat Kuha Sawan (วัดคูหาสวรรค์)
 * Wat Nong Bua (วัดหนองบัว)
 * Wat Sri Wisut Tharam (วัดศรีวิสุทธาราม)
 * Wat Sra Gaew Pratum Thong (วัดสระแก้วปทุมทอง)
 * Wat Tha Maprang (วัดท่ามะปราง)
 * Wat Kuha Sawan (วัดคูหาสวรรค์)
 * Wat Nong Bua (วัดหนองบัว)
 * Wat Sri Wisut Tharam (วัดศรีวิสุทธาราม)
 * Wat Sra Gaew Pratum Thong (วัดสระแก้วปทุมทอง)
 * Wat Tha Maprang (วัดท่ามะปราง)

Transportation
Phitsanulok is a good starting point for a visit to the World Heritage site at nearby. The city can be reached by both rail and air, and is on the intersection of several major highways linked between Northern, Northeastern and Central region of Thailand: Highway No.11 (Ta Khli - Phitsanulok - Lampang - Chiang Mai), Highway No. 12 (Tak - Phitsanulok - Lom Sak - Khon Kaen) and Highway No. 117 (Phitsanulok - Nakhon Sawan).

Culture
Much of the culture in the city centers around the Buddhist traditions of its residents.

Theravada Buddhism
Most residents are active followers of the Buddhist religeon. Buddhism is practiced at the many temples or wat located throughout the city.

Art
Phitsanulok is home to a number of historic sculptures of the Buddha and other religeous artwork including the, the , the and.

Literature
Examples of important literary works of Phitsanulok include: The predominant literary language (as well as the predominant spoken language) is the Central Thai dialect of the, which is written in the.
 * ลิลิตยวนพ่าย
 * ลิลิตพระลอ
 * โคลงทวาทศมาส
 * กำศรวลศรีปราชญ์

Sports
racing has historically been an important element of Phitsanulok's culture. In recent times, soccer has become increasingly popular. In 2005, Phitsanulok won the 2nd Northern Youth Football Championship (football referring to soccer) in the U12 and U15 age groups. Traditional is also a major sport in the city.

Western Influence
Recently, has influenced the regional culture, introducing western style dress (although traditional dress is still worn at certain ceremonies and festivals), and western sports such as. As methods of communication with the western world continue to improve, especially with growing community acces to internet technology and mobile phones, the trend is likely to continue.

Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat
Phitsanulok's main tourist attraction is Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat, known locally simply as Wat Yai (the big temple). This famous temple, built in, is home to the , which is one of the most revered Buddha figures in Thailand, and the official symbol of the entire Phitsanulok Province. (An exact replica exists in the Marble Temple in Bangkok, and another in in .)  The beautiful mother-of-pearl inlaid doors were built in 1756 by order of King  of Ayutthaya. The Buddha Chinnarat National Museum, located on the temple grounds, houses a sizeable collection of Sukhothai period art. A large provincial fair is held at the temple every January.

Other Historic Temples
is also located several kilometers outside the city in.
 * is a temple, surrounded by.
 * is a temple, surrounded by.

Sergeant-Major Dr. Thawee Buranakhet Folklore Museum
The Sergeant-Major Dr. Thawee Buranakhet Folklore Museum hosts a collection of folk arts, crafts, basketry, pottery and ancient kitchen utensils. The museum also houses a collection of antiaue traps for catching snakes, birds, tigers and porcupines.

City Walls
Unfortunately, most of the older portions of Phitsanulok were destroyed in a disastrous fire which occurred in 1955. Thus little else remains of the old town besides the famous temple, an ancient across the road from it and a small section of the city wall. The intact portions of the ancient city wall is accessible to visitors.

Buranathai Buddha Foundry
The Buranathai Buddha Foundry specializes in casting bronze Buddha images. It is the only establishment of this kind in the province. Craftspersons specialize in the reproduction of the Buddha image. Visitors are permitted to walk along the production line.

Nan River Houseboats
Phitsanulok is known throughout Thailand for the which still line the  near Wat Phra Sri Rattana Maharat, though regretably in recent years these are becoming fewer. A houseboat museum is also open for visitors.

Night Market
Each night, vendors in Phitsanulok gather to form Phitsanulok's night market. Items sold include clothing and food.

Chandra Palace
The Chandra Palace was the birth place of King the Great, and contains a King Naresuan the Great Shrine.

Naresuan University Art and Culture Gallery
The Naresuan University Art and Culture Gallery holds over 100 artistic artworks of culturally significant Thai artists.

Phra Buddha Chinnarat Fair
The Phra Buddha Chinnarat Fair is held each January at.

Suan Chom Nan Park Festival
The Suan Chom Nan Park festival is held twice a year along the. Food and local products are sold to attendees.

Dragon Boat Races
On the first weekend of each October, the Dragon Boat Races are held outside in the. Each dragon boat has a crew of approximately 30 oarsmen.

Issues of Public Concern
Primary issues of public concern within the province are, , , , and ,, Measures have been taken to address many of these concerns including heightened enforcement of crimes involving women trafficing and implementation of a Solid Waste Management Program for Phitsanulok

Poverty
It is estimated that around 10% of the population in the city of live below the poverty line.

Health Care
Access to health care has declined recently in Phitsanulok, since the recent in Bangkok, after which the new administration repealed 's 30 baht health care program. Critics of Thaksin's health care program, however, suggest that prior to the coup, the program was diminishing the quality of health care in rural provinces such as Phitsanulok by bankrupting hospitals and causing doctors to resign from the public sector and relocate to Bangkok.