Embark on a relaxing day trip to the charming city of Phitsanulok, the "Land of Two Rivers".

This trip, I will take you to visit the city of "Song Kwae" or better known as "Phitsanulok". The main intention is to pay homage to Phra Buddha Chinnarat (Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Woramahawihan). Coupled with an interesting airline promotion, I decided to go without hesitation.

My itinerary is a day trip. In simple terms, it's a morning and evening trip. I'll be exploring the city center, which should be enough for a day (about 10 hours). My rough plan is to visit temples, the Sergeant Thawee Folk Museum, and find some delicious food to eat.

This trip, I set off with another fellow traveler on a short "day trip" with 10 hours in "Phitsanulok". What will it be like? Well then... let's not waste any time and follow me on this trip...!!

The route Don Mueang - Phitsanulok is a route that often has cheap promotions for us to grab. I booked a flight promotion by picking a weekday, because the weekends were all booked up. So I "took a day off" and chose a weekday, which was very easy to book without having to compete with anyone. I also thought that going on a weekday might reduce the crowds at Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Woramahawihan, which tends to be very crowded on weekends. I chose the earliest flight (around 7am) and the latest return flight (around 7pm), round trip (only airport tax) = 150 baht..!!

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Starting at Don Mueang Airport, we are ready to go. Since it was a weekday, there weren't many passengers on this flight.

A very short flight.. It takes less than 1 hour to reach.. "Phitsanulok Airport"

Upon arrival at **Phitsanulok Airport**, there will be a **taxi service to the city for 150 baht**. *However, I was lucky enough to hitch a ride with a relative who was picking up passengers from the same flight, and they were happy to let me join them.* So, I saved myself 150 baht. *I would like to take this opportunity to **thank** Uncle for the ride.* This saved me 150 baht. *On the way, Uncle told me various stories about Phitsanulok Province... and he seemed surprised to learn that we were specifically visiting here.* Uncle dropped us off at **TOP LAND Department Store.**

Opposite to TOP LAND Department Store, you will see Anusorn Tour Shop. We will rent motorcycles here. There are both motorcycles and cars for rent. For this trip, we will "ride" around! The city of "Phitsanulok" has many tourist attractions that are not far apart. In the morning, we plan to visit various temples. In the afternoon, we will head south to the "Sergeant Thawee Folk Museum".

We rented a car from Anusorn Tour for 200 baht per day (manual transmission). Helmets are provided for safe driving. You can also ask for a map from the shop so you can drive anywhere without getting lost. Now I don't have to worry about getting around in the city anymore. Splitting the cost of 100 baht per person...it's worth it! !!

Upon arriving in "Phitsanulok," we immediately went straight to eat. Because when it comes to food, it's a big deal! 55 We ate at "Hanging Leg Noodles," which is said to be... A must-try when visiting Phitsanulok. Hanging Leg Noodles... There are many shops lined up along the Nan River, near Wat Yai (Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Woramahawihan).

A variety of "hanging leg noodle" shops are lined up along the Nan River. I can't decide which one to go to. I chose to eat at "Auntie Kathin's Hanging Leg Noodles". *It is said that it is the first authentic hanging leg noodle restaurant in Phitsanulok.* It is an old-looking wooden shop, but it is classic. The atmosphere is friendly and it is a family business. They have waterfalls, clear soup, and yen ta fo. **The price is 30 baht for a regular bowl and 35 baht for a special bowl.**

Once you enter, you can choose a seat. Whether you want to "dangle your legs" or "not dangle your legs" 55+ We came to eat in the late morning. There weren't many people yet, but if it were around noon, there would probably be a lot of people. Anyway, I'll choose "dangle my legs". To start eating, I ordered "small noodles with stewed beef" for 1 bowl. Sitting eating noodles with my legs dangling in the atmosphere by the Nan River. The wind was cool and comfortable. Noodles 30 + iced tea 15 This meal cost another = 45 baht

After being full from the first restaurant, I tried another one. This one is called "Kway Teow Hoy Khai Rim Nan" (Noodles Hanging Legs by the Nan River). It's a big and new-looking restaurant, but it also has the same unique feature of hanging legs.

I was originally going to order another bowl of noodles, but the first bowl at Auntie Kathin's was still filling. Plus, the desserts here looked so good that I just ordered dessert instead. "Khanom Thuai"

It's hot.. Watermelon sago is also delicious.. So I ordered another cup for each person.. Delicious, sweet, creamy.. Check the bill and pay at this shop, another 35 baht per person.. There are many noodle shops in this area.

After we are full, we will go to pay respect to Phra Buddha Chinnarat at Wat Yai (Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Woramahawihan).

In this area, there are 3 temples located close to each other. You can walk between them easily. They are: Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Woramahawihan, Wat Nang Phaya and Wat Ratchaburana. We entered Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Woramahawihan, also known as "Wat Yai". Even though it was a weekday, there were still many people coming and going to pay their respects.

Inside the temple is the "Phra Buddha Chinnarat", or as the people of Phitsanulok call it, "Luang Pho Yai", a large bronze Buddha statue in the attitude of subduing Mara. It is beautiful and awe-inspiring.

"Phra Buddha Chinnarat" is the principal Buddha image of Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Woramahawihan. It is considered to be the most beautiful Buddha image in Thailand. As you can see, it is always crowded, even on weekdays.

There is a chance in a lifetime to come and worship "Phra Buddha Chinnarat"

The **main prang**, located at the center of the temple, is the most important religious structure and houses the relics of the Buddha.

Besides.. Around the temple, you will see many souvenir shops and shops selling local products. You can buy souvenirs to take home for your family and friends..

After that.. We also came to pay respect to the Buddha at "Wat Nang Phaya". The temple is located nearby. There is a connecting path. It's not far to walk. Around the Wat Nang Phaya ordination hall, there are murals on the walls of the covered walkway that look exquisite and beautiful…

This temple is famous for its amulets, especially the Phra Nang Phaya, which is said to be very sacred. Phra Nang Phaya is one of the five most important Buddha images in Thailand, and it is known for its power to bring good luck and fortune.

The principal Buddha image in the ordination hall that we see is called "Phra Somdej Nang Phaya Rueng Kaew".

Wat Nang Phaya.. is another temple that Buddhists often visit to pay respect and seek blessings for good fortune.

After that.. We walked out of the temple gate to take a walk at the Nan River bank. There are coffee shops.. Restaurants located by the river.. It's another corner to stop by for a meal, relax and unwind.

We rode our motorbikes to the next location, crossing a bridge not far away. We arrived at the "Chan Palace, Shrine of King Naresuan" in Mueang District, Phitsanulok Province.

Chanthaburi Palace in Phitsanulok City is one of the most important cultural heritages of Thailand, reflecting the glorious and long history of Phitsanulok. King Naresuan the Great was born and raised in the city of Songkhwae Phitsanulok until the age of 9, residing at Chanthaburi Palace. Today, only the outline of the palace remains. In the same area, there is also the "Shrine of King Naresuan the Great". The shrine is an ancient Thai-style pavilion with three gables. The statue of King Naresuan the Great is life-size, sitting with his hand holding a golden bowl pouring water, in the posture of declaring independence at the city of Kraeng.

After paying our respects at the "King Naresuan the Great Shrine", we continued our journey on the rented motorcycles. Our next destination was the Thap Anan Market, where we were headed to try the papaya salad at the famous "Som Tum Krok Mai" restaurant.

A must-have dish when visiting Phitsanulok is papaya salad. But this time, we ordered "Khorat-style papaya salad". For a light meal, we only ordered two dishes and the bill came out to only 50 baht per person.

After we had our fill (again..), we continued our journey southward, following the road that leads to the airport. Our destination was the "Sergeant Thawee Folk Museum". It was about 2 km from the city center, and we arrived in no time.

"Sergeant Thawee Folk Museum" is a private museum of Sergeant Major Dr. Thawee Booranakhet. It was established after he collected a large number of household tools and utensils. He then used them to exhibit the lives of Thai villagers in the past. It is open to the public for educational purposes. It is one of the places that you must visit when you come to Phitsanulok. Before entering, there is a museum maintenance fee of 50 baht for adults and 20 baht for children (for Thai people).

Sergeant Thawee Folk Museum is a treasure trove of knowledge that reflects the way of life, beliefs, and local wisdom. Oh, and I forgot to mention that it's open every day from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Except for Mondays, when it's closed.

**The museum complex of Sergeant Thawee** consists of four buildings:

Building 1 is an office building and souvenir shop.

Building 2 is a 2-story old wooden building. Inside this house, there is an exhibition of local historical pictures of Phitsanulok.

Building 3 is a new museum building that exhibits local tools and equipment, as well as the way of life of the villagers.

Building 4 is an exhibition hall for the Soeng people.

Let's walk into Building 2 first. It is a 2-story old wooden building, an old house that looks classic and retro. Inside this house, there is an exhibition of historical pictures of Phitsanulok.

"The interior displays historical images of Phitsanulok's past, making it an excellent place to learn about the city's history." There are several rooms, each with its own theme. Just by visiting the first building, you'll feel that it's worth it. And I feel that you need to have 2-3 hours to visit here to be able to capture every detail. There are a lot of pictures and things on display, so you can just walk around and enjoy it."

From Building 2 .. let's continue to Building 3, a new museum building that displays local tools and utensils, and the way of life of the villagers. It is a collection of stories about the lives and livelihoods of villagers in the past. The building has 2 floors.

Floor 1 – Exhibition on the way of life of people in the past, various tools, and community life.

Floor 2 – Exhibition of tools, weapons, and other items.

Entering the building, there is a simulation of the living quarters and lifestyle of the past.

This corner collects household items from the past… "Coconut grater rabbit" This corner alone has many pieces. You can see the effort and determination to collect and preserve it very well.

The corner of the animal trapping tool, which is truly Thai wisdom, has a method of trapping animals. It is explained in various steps. It is very fun to read. I enjoyed it.

Animal trapping tools with instructions on how to use them. Each tool is explained, including large ones for large animals. Some of these tools, we have never seen before, of course.

Let's move on to the "Toys" corner, which features old-fashioned toys. Some pieces look old but classic.

Childhood memories are neatly stored in the cabinet.

Tens of thousands of artifacts in this museum.. are a treasure trove of Thai history and wisdom. I feel like I'm learning from the various objects and enjoying my visit to this museum. If you have the chance.. to visit Phitsanulok, I would like my friends to come and visit..

**Before leaving this place...** We stopped by **Building 1** as a final stop, which is a building that sells souvenirs such as key chains, notebooks, and shirts. There are many souvenirs to choose from as gifts to take home. And... in this building, there is also an exhibition area... **"Fish Species in Phitsanulok Province"** as well.

Leaving the Sergeant Thawee Folk Museum, diagonally opposite is the Phra Boranat Thai Foundry, which we can walk in and continue to visit.

Boonruang Thai Buddha Foundry: Uncle Ja's parents worked as odd-job laborers and were also skilled artisans. After completing his lower secondary education, Uncle Ja ventured out into the world as an apprentice to an art craftsman. At the age of 23, he enlisted in the military as a draftsman, receiving the rank of Lance Corporal in the 3rd Army Region. During his service, he had the opportunity to study sculpting and metal casting with Ajarn Silp Bhirasri, Ajarn Kian Yimsiri, and Ajarn Sanan Silakorn. When the 3rd Army Region needed a craftsman to create a monument to King Naresuan the Great, Uncle Ja began sculpting from that point forward.

Here we will learn about the process of creating Buddha statues, following the methods of ancient artisans with exquisite craftsmanship... Open for free viewing... See the steps and methods up close...

In addition to watching the Buddha statue casting, there is also a shop for renting and worshiping Buddha statues and amulets in front of the Buddha statue casting factory. For those who are interested in renting and worshiping, please do so.

Leaving the temple foundry in the sweltering afternoon heat, we zoomed off to... to find a place to cool down at Jareonphon Ice Cream Shop, which is said to be... a must-try for their "egg ice cream"! Ice cream with eggs, sprinkled with... toppings ready to serve... for only 30 baht...

A coconut ice cream that is fragrant, creamy, and perfectly sweet. Most importantly, there is no eggy smell at all! You have to try this!

From dessert, let's move on to savory dishes. Another restaurant I would like to recommend is... "Juk Kai Thai Restaurant" This restaurant's strength lies in its "noodles"... because they are homemade, resulting in uniquely chewy and soft noodles. The chewy and soft noodles, combined with authentic Thai chicken and rich broth, create a perfect harmony that is worth trying at least once...

There was another menu that I had to try, but unfortunately I missed it. It was the "crispy ruby", which they only sell in the late afternoon. We waited where they were going to sell it, but unfortunately, the locals told us that they might set up the stall a bit late, so we missed it. 55+ So I rode the motorbike back to the rental shop and called a taxi to take me back to the airport through the call center. The price to the airport was 150 baht. When I arrived at the airport, it was time to board. The passengers on the flight back to Don Mueang looked rather sparse.

The "One Day Trip" to Phitsanulok has come to an end. In just one day, I was able to visit temples and make merit. It was a truly enriching travel experience.

Summary.. Expenses for the trip "One Day Trip to Phitsanulok"

Round-trip airfare per person = 150 baht

Motorcycle rental fee for 1 day = 200 baht / 2 = 100 baht

Food cost included = 190 baht

(Noodle shop with dangling legs 45+35 / Mortar and pestle papaya salad 45/ Thai chicken nuggets 35/ Charoenphol ice cream 30)

Entrance fee to the Sergeant Thawee Folk Museum = 50 baht

**Taxi fare from the city to the airport** = 150/2 = 75 baht

Total 565 Baht

I hope this review will be helpful for friends to try to travel to the city of two rivers, "Phitsanulok".

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Adventure Tourism | CHAILAIBACKPACKER

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