Phetchabun Province - Pattaya Forum

Phetchabun (Thai เพชรบูรณ์) is one of the northern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. The name of the province means 'plenty of diamonds' - the old name was Phuechapura, which means 'plenty of crops'.

The province is located in the broad fertile river valley of the Pa Sak River, with mountains of the Phetchabun mountain range to the east and west.

The Si Thep historical park is an ancient city dating back to the Khmer times of the 11th century.

In the beginning of the 20th century the province of Lom Sak was merged into Phetchabun. As both provinces formed the monthon Phetchabun, after the merger the monthon became the only monthon consisting of only one province. Consequently it was also the first monthon to be dissolved in 1915, after being temporarily administrated from Monthon Phitsanulok between 1903 and 1907.

The provincial seal show a diamond on a mountain, as diamonds are found in the province. In the front are tobacco plants as one of the crops grown in the province.

The provincial tree is the Tamarind (Tamarindus indica).

The province is subdivided in 11 districts (amphoe). These are further subdivided into 117 communes (tambon) and 1261 villages (muban).

Extracted from Wikipedia: Phetchabun Province

Petchabun http://www.hotelthailand.com/ezine/2000/issue6/zine1.html

"On 2nd June 2000 Thai Airways International introduced it's flight Bangkok-Petchabun- Lampang operated by a 149 seat Boeing 737-400 with both business and economy class travel available. This is 23rd domestic destination served by THAI. The flight departs Bangkok at 12.30pm arriving into Petchabun at 1.25pm. The flight then continues north departing 2pm and touching down into Lampang at 2.45pm. The aircraft turns around to depart south at 3.25 getting back into Petchabun at 4.10pm to take off again at 4.45pm to reach Bangkok by 5.35pm.

HE Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai officially opened the airport on 3rd May 2000. It designed in a style that symbolizes the mountain range of the area, but first impressions are of the pyramids of Egypt. Clearly it is has a capacity clearly in excess of it's current demand, there is parking stands for four aircraft, while currently there is only a north and southbound flight three days a week.

The name Petchabun would literally translate from Thai into English as "The City of Diamonds". But with the evolution of Sanskrit it spelling became corrupted, it literally means "The City of Agriculture".

This lush and fertile area has a perfect climate for agriculture and is described as the Switzerland of Thailand, though it never snows here. The Mong hilltribe produce some of the finest ginger in Thailand.

Petchabun is the City of Sweet Tamarind. The local Thai name for the fruit is Makharn Wan with a scientific name of Tamarindus indica l. Tamarind was originally a native of tropical Africa and grows wild on the plains of the Sudan. From there it was introduced to India from where it found it's way to Thailand. A sweet fruit which like a lemon, brings an acidic zing to food. The fruit is season Dec-Mar.

When the fruit arrives at the factory first the long pieces are picked out of the pile, as these will be sold as fruit. They are then steamed and laid out in the sun to dry. Finally they are frozen at -2C and can be stored up to 4-5 years. The tastes of the fruit will not change. However there is a possibility of a colour change of the shell casing with time.

Tamarind can also be used to make candy by removing the sticky fruit from the stone and mixing it with wheat flour to make thick dough. Small balls of the paste are rolled in raw sugar and baked in an oven at 100C for up to two hours depending on how dry is the paste. The caramalised fruit candies package and sold from Baht 25. It is also used to make a refreshing juice that has a similar taste to iced tea.

So what is it that sleepy province in the middle of no where has to offer. A clean cool environment, a clear contrast to Bangkok. A hotel that is agro self-sufficient and grows most of it's own crops and raises it's own fish. It stands on the edge of the north and the northeast, a gateway to Indochina.

Phra That Sri Song Ra was built 1560-3 during the reign of King Maha Chakraphat of Auythaya and King Chai Ya Chetta of Lon Chang to commemorate the peace between the two kingdoms of Auythaya and Sri Satankanhat (Vientaine) in resisting invasion by the Burmese troops.

When visiting this temple one should wear the colour red as it is seen by the local people as the symbol of war and aggression, a completely opposite to the concept of the Pagoda which is to celebrate the love between the two neighbouring countries.

It is customary to offer a Ton Pern- a square based pyramid frame made of the wood of the banana tree decorated with orange coloured wax petals. Only men can enter the immediate vaccinity of the stupa to make the offering.

In neighbouring Loei Province the Phu Rua gets its name as the peak is shaped like the bow of a Chinese junk. At an altitude of 1,365m above sea-level, it is the coldest place in Thailand dropping as low as -5C during the months of December and January.

The Buddha image on the peak has the face of the Sukhothai period combined with the hand of the Pitsanulok style with all the fingers at the same level.

The vineyards of Chateau de Loei are located nearby and the winery is the passion of Dr Chaijudh Karnasuta, chairman of the Italthai group. He was convinced that it would be possible to grow vines in Loei with its fertile soil, adequate water supply and cool nights which allow the plants to sleep. How to do it was the big challenge. A series of French winemakers have come to Loei to try to give a go and for various reasons did not succeed. The most recent was Michel Reppes who achieved fair results. From the 180 aces of Chenin Blanc Vines in 1995 yielded 55,000 bottles, which then went on the market at Baht 110. In 1996 production had increased to 72,000 bottles at Baht 135 and in 1997 production had risen to 162,000 bottles and was commanding a price tag of Baht 240. When I recently went back to the winery the 1999 vintage was on the shelves at Baht 240.

The Syrah, which is more in demand with Thai wine drinkers, is produced in much small quantities. The first vintage in 1996 yielded 19,400 bottles and was launch at Bath 170 baht. The 1997 vintage produced 34,000 bottles with the price tag rising to Baht 320. With limited production and high demand the Syrah is hard to find. On my last visit to the winery I could only buy the Syrah if I did so as a package at Baht 800 with two bottles of the Chenin Blanc.

Essentially Chateau de Loei is a French Table wine grown in Thai soil, with the vines imported from France and planted in the European vertical style. The yield in Thailand is 30% of what one would expect of the same vines in France. It isn't really fair to Chateau de Loei to put it head to head with wines with a much longer wine culture, as it is still at the beginning of its learning curve. Rather drink and enjoy it as a Thai wine, reflecting on that achievement.

On the morning of the second day I woke to the sound of falling rain. My wake call was punctually just before 6am. I got out of bed opened the window to see the whole valley blanketed in mist. Within half and hour the rain had stopped and the fog had cleared. At the Imperial Phu Kaew Hill Resort you can hear the silence and can smell the grass grow. Sensations that are normally denied by those of us who have chosen to make Bangkok home. In the distance the village cockerel gives the community wake up call. I can also hear the gentle buzz of crickets and a solo bird chirping.

The Imperial Phu kaew Hill Resort opened in 1995 originally as a Royal Princess Resort, part of The Dusit Thani Group. In 1997 management was transferred to the Imperial Group of Hotels. I their first two years they did make an operating loss but now the tide has turned and are looking to end financial year posting a profit.

"Occupation is very cyclical," explained Watte Yama, the hotel's General Manager, "that my staff have to be multifunctional. When we need to put on a show I may use a receptionist, a bellboy or a cook from the kitchen. Once the show is over they return to their normal duties". Sure enough that evening I saw the bellboy who had carried my bags to the room, dancing in the front line of the chorus. That's show business, one moment a star the next carrying bags.

As much as is possible the hotel grows it's own vegetables and raises it's own Ruby fish in the lake. All waste products are re-cycled, vegetable matter used for compost, organic farming in the north of Thailand.

All meals in the hotel are served buffet style in the two restaurants. There is also a snooker hall and karaoke room to sing the night away. There is no other local nightlife in the area.

This resort is an escape, a refuge a chance to recharge you batteries. The rooms are comfortable and functional with a split-level lounge area. The bathrooms are generous size with a large shower cubicle.

The hotel is surrounded by a two and three bedroom weekend home development with prices currently in the region of Baht 2 million and have all been bought by wealthy Bangkokians as retreat like " a trinket...a piece of jewelry" as one member of the hotel staff commented anonymously.

Petchabun is one the gardens of Thailand. In January and February producing Strawberries and Papaya. April is the month for Mulberries, while in May and June the seasonal fruits are Lychee, Logan and Avacardo. September offers Persimme, Loquat, Passion Fruit and Custard Apple. The fruits of October are Macadamia Nuts and Papaya. And to end the year there is Tiesu and Papaya.

Throughout the year vegetables such as Lettuce, Aubergines, Chayotes, Mushroom and Broccoli are available. In the province Torch ginger, Lily and Bird's of are flowering.

It is hard to believe that this calm and tranquil province was a communist strong hold during that late 70's and early 80's. For a while this area-bordering socialist Laos in the north was under communist control. Many fierce battles where fought with the loss of many lives including that of General Pijit Kulavanich, the area military commander who was shot by a sniper who managed to climb to the hilltop army camp. A memorial to 1,171 people who lost their lives during came was built as a triangular pillar symbolising the trinity of army, police and civilian forces. All their names are engraved in gold on the marble base.

Once the Thai army had regained control of the area it was vital that they should secure their control. This meant that soldiers had to take on the role of teachers, farmers and construction workers. Until this time the Mong (the same as H'mong) had been nomadatic engaging in the farming style of Slash and Burn. With the help of The Royal Projects sponsored by HM the King. These hilltribes were educated to produce cold weather vegetables and flowers as an alternative to Opium. For them to buy into this initiative they need to be shown that the new crop could earn them more than the old.

At Sridit Waterfall there is an old water mill built by the communist rebels to mill rice. They used the noise of the waterfall to mask the thudding sounds of the milling process.

The Majesties the King & Queen who visited the area in 1983, are were instrumental in sercuring the peace. The people of Petchabun built the 15 room circular Kho Koor Palace on the highest peak Khoa Ya (Grandmother Mountain)in the Kho Koor mountain range. Across the valley is the International Library built in December 1994 to house a collection of books provided by each of the Ambassadors accredited to Thailand, in their own language. Each December they all come to the Library for an annual meeting.

Petachabun is an ideal 3 day 2 night retreat from Bangkok."

source http://www.hotelthailand.com/ezine/2000/issue6/zine1.html

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