Phrae in Thailand

แพร่
Northern Thailand
550 km from Bangkok
Province of Phrae
Population : 18 000
Thai prononciation : Plè

Budget

Recomm. stay

1 à 2 jours

Visits

General Information about Phrae

City in the North of Thailand, Phrae is often forgotten by tourists, but it has its charms. The few tourists coming here is one of them. The city center was surrounded with city walls, parts of them are still standing or were renovated. In the old city area, there are some interesting temples and old houses. Visiting Phrae can surely be quick but do not forget to pay a visit to Wat Phra That Cho Hae 8km outside the city. It is the biggest and most popular temple in the area. If you have a vehicule, discovering the surrounding countryside and maybe going to Payao and its lake will make you discover beautiful sceneries and authentic Thailand.

In the evening, a small night market takes place at Pratu Chai the entrance to the old city at the end of Charoen Muang Road. You can eat there for very cheap in the typical atmosphere of a small thai provincial city. Phrae can be a nice short stop on the road from Chiang Rai to Bangkok if you have one day or two.

Accommodations in Phrae

Accomodations in Phrae are not very numerous but there are enough to accommodate the few tourists who come here. Very few foreigners visit the city. Hotel staff rarely speaks English or very badly and some accommodation have signs exclusively written in Thai if even they host foreigners with pleasure.

Find accommodation in Phrae

My recommandations

People often ask me what accommodations I recommaend in Thailand, here are my recommandations in Phrae.

Chatawan Homestay

Homestay in Phrae

Mee Bed and Breakfast

Guesthouse in Phrae

Taris Art Hotel

Hotel in Phrae

PhoomThai Garden Hotel

Hotel in Phrae

See all accommodations in Phrae

Weather & climate in Phrae

Phrae has a tropical savanna climate. The winters are dry and warm. Temperatures rise until April, the hottest month of the year when temperatures can sometimes go up to 40 °C and more. The monsoon season runs from May to October, with heavy showers and cooler temperatures during the day, although the nights remain warm. The rainiest months are August and September.

The best time to come to Phrae is from November to April but there are no months when it is really not recommeded to come here. Even during the monsoon, Phrae remains sparse compared to other provinces. The rainfalls are certainly strong but generally fairly brief. Before and after the rains, the weather is most of the time very pleasant.

See weather forecast in Phrae

When to go to Phrae ?

Practical information about Phrae

Phrae welcomes very few foreign tourists. So there is no bureau of Tourism Authority of Thailand, or tourist police. Hotels and guesthouses are not numerous and not many have staff that can really speak and understand English but we always manage to communicate. It is also difficult (personally I did not found anything) to rent a bicycle or a scooter when you're a foreigner.

Phrae has an airport with connections to and from Bangkok.

How to get around in Phrae ?

You can walk around in the city walls square, the most interesting part of the city, easily. Otherwise, there are tuk-tuks and songthaews which can be privatized especially to go to Wat Phra That Cho Hae 8 km away from the city.

How to ask in Thai to go to Phrae ?

I want to go to Phrae / Yak paï ti Plè.
Where is Phrae ? / Plè you ti naï ?

Must-visits in Phrae

Wat Pong Sunan

วัดพงษ์สุนันท์

My opinion :

A recent temple, but certainly it worths a visit at least for its big reclining Buddha in the temple courtyard. There is also a golden chedi, a main building with a two naga staircase leading to it, as well as numerous statues. The temple is right next to Wat Luang.

Wat Phra Non

วัดพระนอน

My opinion :

Literally translated Temple of the Reclining Buddha. It is true that the 9 meters long statue it houses is superb but the architecture and the fine decoration of the main hall are also very beautiful.

Wat Phra That Cho Hae

วัดพระธาตุช่อแฮ

My opinion :

Located 8 miles outside of Phrae on a small hill, it is THE temple to visit when you come here. There is a saying that states that if you came to Phrae without visiting the Wat Phra That Cho Hae you did not really come to Phrae.

Wat Phra That Suthon Mongkhon Khiri

วัดพระธาตุสุโทนมงคลคีรี

My opinion :

This temple is certainly recent but does not lack interest. For its large reclining Buddha with impressive feet obviously but not only. Its architecture mixes Lanna and Burmese styles and has many interesting statues and elements. It is one of my favorites temples little known by foreign tourists in northern Thailand.

Saturday Walking Street (Kad Phra Non)

กาดพระนอน

My opinion :

Called 'Kad Phra Non' which means reclining Buddha market because it is close to Wat Phra Non, this friendly night market is held every Saturday evening in the city center of Phrae in a pretty little street thqt is pedestrian for the occasion. The Walking Streets are numerous in Thailand but here the atmosphere is unique, more local, more relaxed and less touristy.

Village of Indigo Dye

บ้านทุ่งโฮ้ง

My opinion :

The Mo Hom indigo dyeing is Phrae's most famous specialty and for me, you can not come here without trying to dye a handkerchief, a scarf or a shirt by yourself. It's fun to do and possible in Ban Thung Hong village not far form the city. And that will make you a unique memory.

Other places to see in Phrae

Wat Luang

Wat Phra Bat Ming Muang

Vongburi House

Wat Chom Sawan

Wat Chetawan

Wat Phra That Chom Chaeng

Wat Na Khu Ha

Golden Rock Temple (Wat Phra That Din Kwaen)

Phae Muang Phi Forest park

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