Phichit (Thai พิจิตร) is one of the provinces (changwat) of Thailand, located in the north of the country.

The rivers Nan and Yom flow through the Phichit province, before they join shortly before the Chao Phraya is formed. The province mainly consists of low fertile river plains, making rice and lotus the main crops.

The town Phichit was established in 1058 by Phraya Kotabongthevaraja, and was first part of the Sukhothai kingdom, and later of Ayutthaya.

The name of the main city changed several times. At first it was called Sra Luang (city of the royal pond), in Ayutthaya times it was called Okhaburi (city in the swamp), and then finally Phichit (beautiful city).

The provincial seal shows a pond, which refers to the old name of Phichit, Mueang Sra Luang (meaning city at the royal pond). The Banyan tree in front refers to the temple Wat Pho Prathab Chang. The temple was built in 1669-71 by King Luang Sorasak, who was born in the village of Pho Prathab Chang, between a Banyan and a Sacred Fig.

The flag of Phichit shows the circular provincial seal in the middle. It has three green bars and two white horizontal bars, with the middle bar being interrupted by the seal.

Provincial tree is the Ironwood Mesua ferrea, provincial flower is the Lotus (Nymphaea lotus).

The province is subdivided in 9 districts (Amphoe) and 3 minor districts (King Amphoe). These are further subdivided into 89 communes (tambon) and 852 villages (mubaan).

Extracted from Wikipedia: Phichit Province

source: http://www.thailandguidebook.com/provinces/phichit.html

Situated in the Lower North some 345 kilometres from Bangkok, Phichit is accessible by both road and rail. Nurtured by two rivers, the Yom and the Nan running parallel to one another north to south, the land is agriculturally fertile. Once the site of an ancient town dating back almost a thousand years ago, Phichit has played a major role in the history of both Sukhothai and Ayutthaya.

Known as the land of the crocodiles, it has been home to this ferocious reptile which has thrived in its waters.There are today several fresh-water crocodile farms. Phichit features in the Thai epic Krai Thong composed by King Rama ll which tells of Chalawan, a powerful crocodile king. (not near Pattaya)

 m_pichit.jpg ( 48.2K ) Number of downloads: 2


Phichit is administratively divided into the following districts: Muang, Pho Prathap Chang, Taphan Hin, Bang Mun Nak, Pho Thale, Sam Ngam, Wang Sai Phun, Thap Khlo, Sak Lek, Dong Charoen, Bung Na Rang and Wachira Barami.

Anyone got any idea of the best way to get to Phichit?

Phitsanulok is the closest airport, but it's not a cheap flight from BKK and not particularly close.

How about the train?

Or god forbid the coach?

I stayed in Phichit for week a few years ago, a very nice little city. I flew from Bangkok to Phitsanulok & then arranged transport from the wifes family