| Cover
story: 25
Apr 06 / Vol.
23 No. 2
|
| A
Tranquil Retreat to |
| Uttaradit
|
 |
By
Blue Lotus |
Prior
to setting out on a trip in Thailand, first destinations coming
to your mind will likely be those of mainstream tourist attractions,
just to ensure that your holiday will be worthwhile. But in
fact, many parts of Thailand, where one usually hardly gets
a chance to visit, have a lot to offer.
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The Phraya Phichai Dap Hak or "Phichai
of the Broken Sword" Memorial, erected in honour
of Phraya Phichai who valiantly fought with Burmese
invaders until one of his swords broke
in two. |
For those who long for an adventurous trip
to discover either in terms of nature or Thai rural way of
life, Uttaradit is an alternative. Situated in the northern
region of Thailand, it is about 491 km from Bangkok and 266
km from Chiang Mai.
The scenic view of the huge lake
of
Sirikit Dam while the sun is setting. |
For nature lovers, Uttaradit offers
diverse unspoiled natural sites attractive to trekkers. The
Phu Soi Dao and Lam Nam Nan National Parks are notable for their
unparalleled beauty. And for those who seek to learn local ways
of life, Uttaradit is also a place where vanishing Thai cultural
identities persist. Like Chiang
Mai and other provinces in the north, Uttaradit has a long
history developing through the year since prehistoric time.
The site of the original town, later called Bang Pho Tha It,
was located on the right bank of the Nan River. It flourished
as a port for goods transportation. As a result, in 1887,
King Rama V elevated its status to a province and renamed
it Uttaradit, meaning "the Port of the North".
Ores from Bo Lek Nam Phi, the
source
of the best quality steel, used to fashion swords
and weapons for the kings in ancient time. |
Most people know Uttaradit as a
gate to other provinces in the northern region but few know
anything about the attractions available here.
Amongst
many natural attractions in Uttaradit, one that should not be
missed out in your list of must-visit places is Sirikit
Dam. Located in Tha Pla County, about 58 km from the
provincial town of Uttaradit, it is Thailand's largest earth
dam, constructed under the Nan River Basin Development Project.
Sirikit Dam
|
It is originally called Pha Som Dam and subsequently renamed
Sirikit Dam by Her Majesty the
Queen's permission. Constructed to contain the Nan River in
1967, the dam was completed in 1974.
With the maximum capacity of about 10,500 million cubic metres,
the dam is capable of generating electricity to supply several
provinces.
The barrier top of the dam offers
a
chance to admire the wonderful scenery
of the wide and sparkling Nan River. |
A Thaiways team recently
got a chance to visit the dam. Our first activity there was
sightseeing on a boat trip, which was a nice decision as we
had experienced almost a day-long journey on the road. The boat
had a large open-air area on the upper deck allowing us to enjoy
the scenic views of the Sirikit Reservoir.
The Burmese-style pagoda
in Wat Phra That
|
After our boat left the pier and sailed
down the lake, the gentle touch of the wind helped wipe away
all the tiredness that we had accumulated over the course of
the day. Everyone appeared to be in a good mood and enjoying
the cruise. Here you can observe fishermen and rafters' simple
ways of living. The scene along both sides was mainly pristine
patches of jungles. Once in a while we could hear the song of
birds and cries of some wild creatures coming from the edge
of the jungle. At a certain point along the waterway, the scenery
suddenly changed to a Buddhist temple, Wat Phra That, situated
on a hill bordering the reservoir. |
With
a white pagoda on top, the hill looked like an island in the
midst of water. We stopped and went ashore to pay homage to
the 200-year-old pagoda. Surrounded by white sandstone Buddha
images, the pagoda was in the Burmese style. We walked along
the railing around the pagoda to admire panoramic views of
the reservoir.
Enjoy a variety of activities
Sirikit Dam has to offer. |
The upstream part of the dam boasts beautiful scenery, which
is especially magnificent in the cool season. You can find
here several types of accommodations and food services as
well as recreational activities including kayaking, fishing,
golfing, and many more.
So,
after enjoying those activities Sirikit Dam had to offer, we
were taken to our floating wooden guest houses next to the dam.
Each separate room was furnished with standard amenities, together
with a cute swan-shaped pedal boat in front, allowing us to
move around to admire the neighbouring areas.
Some of us then relaxed in our rooms and the others stayed
outside appreciating the beauty of nature before going on
for a dinner at Rabiang Nan Restaurant in the compound of
Sirikit Dam. The menu featured delicious fresh-from-the-lake
Takok fish foods. Everyone enjoyed the meal while
the cool gentle night breeze was blowing.
Several types of accommodations
are
available in the neighbourhood of Sirikit Dam. |
After the pleasant dinner, we were back to our comfy rooms.
It was just like we needed nothing more than to enjoy the
privacy we had that night, far from worry and noise usually
associated with city life, the peace that lulled us into a
good night's sleep.
The next morning it was refreshingly cool. Signs of tiredness
that were all over our faces yesterday had completely disappeared.
We bade a farewell to Sirikit Dam and headed for Lap
Lae County, which is known as the valley of legends,
rare fruits and exquisite handmade fabrics.
Getting through the scenic route that snaked through valleys,
we saw houses lining the route, some semi-hidden in the lush
of the green valley. Cool refreshing air permeated everywhere.
In the valleys and over the hills, everything seemed so peaceful.
Langsat, the famous fruit of
Uttaradit |
Orchards spotted along the route suggested to us that we
were in the area of Lap Lae, a source of delicious fruits
such as langsat and durian. The langsat of Lap Lae is the
best known. Each year, a Langsat Fair is held in late September
to celebrate the blossoming season of this famous fruit. As
for the durian, "Long Lab Lae" is reputable for
its special features of having thick, smooth and sweet flesh
with smaller seeds and lighter smell than other kinds of durian,
making them the most expensive amongst durians in the fruit
market of Thailand. The fruits are in full blossom between
April and May.
On
the way, we took a short break to try some ancient Lap Lae
delicacies, Khao Khaep, that has been perfected into
its modern form. Khao Khaep is made from rice flour
mixed with water and made into thin sheets and dried.
Khao Phan Phak |
It can be made into a variety of good food such as Khao
Khaep Mi Phan (cooked rice noodles stuffed in
Khao Khaep), Khao Khaep in Sushi style and
Khao Phan Phak (cooked Khao Khaep flour
and beaten eggs stuffed with mixed vegetables, minced pork,
fried diced tofu and jelly noodles). We all enjoyed this special
meal and thought some days we would come back as there are
many more interesting delicacies to taste, as told by the
locals, and places to explore.
Khao Khaep Mi Phan |
Being away from large crowds, the serene city of Uttaradit
is well-liked by certain kinds of tourists. Those who prefer
the genial rhythms of Thai rural life will be happy here.
So if this seems like your style, do not fail to get a chance
to visit Uttaradit when you happen to travel to the northern
region of Thailand.
Special thanks to the Tourism Authority
of Thailand Northern Office: Region 3 for giving Thaiways useful
information and opportunity to visit the wonderful province
of Uttaradit. Contact TAT Northern Office: Region 3 on tel.
0 5525 2742-3.
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