Talk:Phayao/Listings

Amphoe Mueang Phayao
An extensively fresh-water lake, Kwan Phayao (กว๊านพะเยา) is the largest fresh-water fish habitat in the upper North which provides the livelihood of many of the local people. The surrounding scenery, particularly at dusk, is stunning. Along the banks are located food-shops and recreation sites.

The Pho Khun Ngam Mueang Memorial (อนุสาวรีย์พ่อขุนงำเมือง), located in the public park on the bank of Kwan Phayao, commemorates a former king of Phayao, or Phu Kam Yao, who was in power some 700 years ago. During his reign, the state prospered and expanded its territory. As a close ally of King Mengrai, the ruler of Chiang Rai, and King Ramkhamhaeng of Sukhothai, they formed an alliance of harmony, loyalty and non-aggression. Wat Si Khom Kham (วัดศรีโคมคำ) is a temple located on the bank of Kwan Phayao. It houses the largest Buddha statue of Lanna Thai, Phra Chao Ton Luang, a sitting Buddha with a lap width of 14 meters and height of 16 meters. It is said that it took no less than 33 years to complete it. Celebrations are held every May. Next to Wat Si Koam Kam is Ho Watanatham Nithat (หอวัฒนธรรมนิทัศน์). The indigenous museum deals with the history and ancient relics of Phayao, including native culture and traditions and creativity. Open Wednesday-Sunday from nine in the morning to four in the afternoon. Kwan Phayao Pavilion and the Phayao Fresh-water Fishery Station (พระตำหนักกว๊านพะเยาและศูนย์วิจัยและพัฒนาประมงน้ำจืดพะเยา), on Highway No. 1 in town, is the first facility in the world to successfully breed Pla Buk, the giant catfish. There is an aquarium displaying many species of fish and waterplants. Open during official working hours. The Chiang Saen-style Chedi at Wat Si Umong Kham (วัดศรีอุโมงคำ) is still in good condition. The Lanna-style Buddha statue, Phra Chao Lan Tu (พระเจ้าล้านตื้อ), is regarded as the most beautiful anywhere. Wat Phra That Chomthong (วัดพระธาตุจอมทอง), just opposite Wat Si Khom Kham, can be reached by the 1.5-kilometre-long uphill road. Surrounded by an arboretum, the temple offers a panoramic view of the town and the lake. About 7 kilometres north of town on Highway No.1 and further 9 kilometres after a left turn is a hilltop temple, Wat Analyo (วัดอนาลโย). Covering an extensive area, cool and shady under leafy canopies of large trees it features building and sculptures of religion-based characters by contemporary craftsmen of great skill. From here an expansive view of Kwan Phayao, the fields and the town is visible. Namtok Champa Thong (น้ำตกจำปาทอง) is a beautiful and tall waterfall amid natural surroundings. It can be reached by taking the Phayao - Chiang Rai route. After reaching Km. 7, take a turn and proceed on for a further 16 kilometres.

Amphoe Dok Khamtai
Ban Tham Indigenous Cultural Centre (ศูนย์วัฒนธรรมพื้นบ้านบ้านถ้ำ) is about 15 kilometres from the district town of Dok Khamtai on the way to Chiang Muan district. It has a large collection of native agricultural tools and implements as well as ancient objects from which the cultural lifestyle of the Lanna people in the past can be studied. One kilometre before the Centre is a park shaded by large trees with caves of hanging and protruding rock deposits. Doi Phu Nang National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติดอยภูนาง) is 48 kilometres south of Amphoe Dok Khamtai along Highway No. 1251 and 4 kilometres along an access road. A variety of birds are found, especially peacocks which come to the park area for breeding from January to March. The park also has a scenic waterfall called Namtok Than Sawan. Camping in the park is possible.

Amphoe Chiang Kham
Chiang Kham (เชียงคำ) is home to many Thai Lue people, about 74 kilometres to the northeast of Pha-yao on Highway No. 1021. The Thai Lues originally were from the south of Yunnan in China and migrated to northern Thailand, particularly to Nan and Phayao, some 200 years ago. An interesting temple in Chiang Kham is Wat Nantaram (วัดนันตาราม), a Burmese-style site built entirely with teak. The woodworks on the windows, gables, corridors and other parts are beautifully chiseled in elaborate designs. Another place of interest is Wat Phra That Sop Waen (วัดพระธาตุสบแวน) with its 700-years-old Lanna-style Chedi.

King Amphoe Phu Sang
Namtok Phu Sang (น้ำตกภูซาง) is a scenic waterfall about 20 kilometres to the north of the district town of Chiang Kham on Highway No. 1093. The surroundings are still in perfect natural condition. Phu Sang is different than other waterfalls. It is fed by a hot spring on the mountain which flows into the brook before cascading over the fall.

Five kilometres from Phu Sang waterfall is a village on the Thai-Laotian border. On the 10th and 30th of every month, Ban Huak village (บ้านฮวก) hold a bazaar for Thais and Laotians to trade and barter their products.

Festivals
Sacrificial Combined Force 2324 Monument Fair (งานฉลองอนุสรณ์ผู้เสียสละพลเรือน ตำรวจ ทหาร 2324) is organized annually at the end of January until the beginning of February at the memorial near the Chiang Kham Airport, Tambon Chiang Ban, Amphoe Chiang Kham. It is a merit making ceremony dedicated to the civilians, policemen and soldiers, who passed away in their fighting with the communist terrorists in 1980-early 1981 (2523-early 2524 B.E.). Moreover, it is a charity fair to raise money to assist the descendants of the deceased. Other activities include games, performances, exhibitions and a fair consisting of various booths of the government authorities. For more information, please contact Khun Chomtham Military Camp at Tel. 0 5445 1332 or Amphoe Chiang Kham Office at Tel. 0 5445 1335, 0 5445 1334. Winter and Red Cross Fair (งานฤดูหนาวและงานกาชาด) is organized at the end of December until the beginning of January every year at the ground near the Phayao Bus Terminal.

In the event, there is a fair full of booths from the governmental and private authorities, contests, as well as, various games. For more information, please contact Phayao Provincial Office at Tel. 0 5448 1704, 0 5448 4029.

Phayao Jewellery Industry and Quality Products Fair (งานเปิดโลกอุตสาหกรรมอัญมณีและของดีเมืองพะเยา) takes place at the beginning of February every year at the Phayao Jewellery Centre, Tambon Mae Ka. It is a trade fair of jewellery and products of Phayao. For more information, please contact Tel. 0 5446 6071-3 or Fax. 0 5446 6069. Cassie Flower Blooming Day (งานวันดอกคำใต้บาน) takes place on 14 February every year at the ground in front of the Dok Khamtai District Office. Activities are the handicraft contests and sales of souvenirs. Pho khun Ngam Mueang Fair (งานบวงสรวงพ่อขุนงำเมือง) is organized on 5 March every year at the Pho khun Ngam Mueang Monument with a beautiful and magnificent procession of the worship offerings.

Thai Lue Cultural Festival (งานสืบสานตำนานไทลื้อ) happens at the beginning of March every year at the Wat Phrathat Sop Waen, Amphoe Chiang Kham, consisting of folk games, cultural performances, as well as, lifestyle of the Thai Lue people. In the event, people will dress up in the traditional costume. Also, there will be a cotton spinning demonstration, dessert making, Lue singing, Choeng or martial art dance, and Makon game. For more information, please contact Tel. 0 5445 1332. Songkran Festival (Pi Mai Mueang) (งานประเพณีสงกรานต์-ปี๋ใหม่เมือง) is organized during 13-16 April every year behind the Mueang Phayao Municipality and in every district. For more information, please contact the Phayao Provincial Cultural Office at Tel. 0 5448 5781-2. Pu Cha Phaya Lo Fair (Bucha Phra Lo) (ประเพณีปู่จาพญาลอ-บูชาพระลอ) is organized on 9 April every year at Wiang Lo Ancient Town, Ban Huai Ngio, Amphoe Chun, with an aim to pay respect to the Wiang Lo ancestors and to create folk consciousness to cherish and preserve the site. In the event, there are parades, light and sound presentations, a procession inviting the spirits of Wiang Lo’s past kings, Khan Tok dinner at night, as well as, cultural performances. For more information, please contact Chun District Office at Tel. 0 5445 9234 or the Phayao Provincial Cultural Office at Tel. 0 5448 5781-2. Phayao Lychee and Quality Products Fair (งานเทศกาลลิ้นจี่ และของดีเมืองพะเยา) takes place in May every year at the ground behind the Mueang Phayao Municipality. In the event, there are fairs offering lychees and quality products of Phayao and a lychee beauty pageant. For more information, please contact the Phayao Provincial Agricultural and Co-operatives Office at Tel. 0 5441 1218.

Sky Rocket Festival (งานทำบุญบ้องไฟ) is organized in June every year at Tambon Ang Thong, Amphoe Chiang Kham. In the festival, there is a traditional dance procession and sky rocket contest. For more information, please contact the Ang Thong Sub-district Administration Organisation or District Administration Office at Tel. 0 5445 1334, 0 5445 1332.

Candle Procession Festival (งานแห่เทียนพรรษา) takes place one day before the Buddhist Lent Day at the ground behind the municipality office and in every district. Beautifully engraved candles are brought to participate in the parade. Various cultural shows are performed, as well as, the contest for the most beautiful candle is organized. After the contest, all the candles are offered to the temples. Hilltribe Traditional Festival (งานประเพณีชาวเขา) is organized in December every year at Tambon Rom Yen, Amphoe Chiang Kham. Traditional dances and games of the hill tribe people, which are a winter tradition, are performed. For more information, please contact the Rom Yen Sub-district Administration Organisation or Chiang Kham District Office at Tel. 0 5445 1334, 0 5445 1332.

Buy
Products made form water hyacinths are made mainly in Ban San Pa Mueang, about 15 kilometres from town on the route to Wat Analyo. Hand-made Cotton (ผ้าฝ้ายทอมือ) is a handicraft of the Thai Lues and found mostly in Chiang Kham district.

Amphoe Mueang

 * Chalermsak (เฉลิมศักดิ์) 38/7 Ratsamphan Road (Tel: 0 5443 1063), 34 rooms: 80-120 baht
 * Friend House (เฟรนเฮ้าส์) 424 Tambon Ban Tom (Tel: 0 5448 1556), 12 rooms: 500-1,200 baht
 * Gateway (เกทเวย์) 7/36 Pratu Klong 2 (Tel: 0 5441 1330-9 Fax: 0 5441 0519), 108 rooms: 1,200-4,000 baht
 * Kwan Phayao Bungalow (บังกะโลกว๊านพะเยา) 11 Phahonyothin Road (Tel: 0 5448 1493), 6 rooms: 250-350 baht
 * Phayao Hotel (พะเยาโฮเต็ล) 445 Phahonyothin Road (Tel: 0 5448 1971-2 Fax: 0 5443 1973 Bangkok Tel: 0 2322 5393-4 Fax: 321 5768), 80 rooms: 680-840 baht
 * Phayao Northern Lake (พ���เยานอร์ทเทิร์นเลค) 15/7 Rop Wiang Road (Tel: 0 5448 1538-9 Fax: 0 5448 1973), 76 rooms: 650-1,200 baht
 * Siriphan Bungalow (ศิริพันธ์บังกะโล) 17 Phahonyothin Road (Tel: 0 5443 1319), 22 rooms: 120-270 baht
 * Songsak (สงค์ศักดิ์) 99 Mu 2 Super Highway Tambon Tha Wang Thong (Tel: 0 5448 1932), 14 rooms: 80-200 baht
 * Suan Son Bungalow (สวนสนบังกะโล) 176 Mu 3 Super Highway (Tel: 0 5443 1571), 22 rooms: 110-280 baht
 * Thanthong (ธารทอง) 55-57 Don Sanam Road (Tel: 0 5443 1302, 0 5443 1342, 0 5443 1772 Fax: 0 5448 1256), 124 rooms: 150-400 baht
 * Wattana (วัฒนา) 69 Don Sanam Road (Tel: 0 5443 1205), 34 rooms: 120-260 baht
 * 555 Rong Ha, Phahonyothin Road, 14 rooms: 120-160 baht

Amphoe Chiang Kham

 * Buathong Resort (บัวทองรีสอร์ท) 205 Mu 1 Tambon Chedi Kham (Tel: 0 5445 2831, 0 1724 5482), 15 rooms: 350-700 baht
 * Chiang Kham Guest House (เชียงคำเกสท์เฮ้าส์) Chiang Kham (Tel: 0 5445 1588-9), 20 rooms: 160-240 baht
 * Chiang Kham Hotel (เชียงคำโฮเต็ล) 243/13 Tambon Yuan (Tel: 0 5448 1893, 0 5443 1640), 40 rooms: 100-260 baht
 * Khit Thung (คิดถึง) Chiang Kham-Chiang Rai Road (Tel: 0 5445 1194), 15 rooms: 80-120 baht
 * Mit Pracha (มิตรประชา) 121 Mu 8 Tambon Yuan, 15 rooms: 60-80 baht

Amphoe Pong

 * Samanmit (สมานมิตร) 132 Mu 11 Khun Yuam Road (Tel: 0 5447 9249), 12 rooms: 80 baht

Amphoe Dok Kham Tai

 * Chain Hotel (เชนทร์โฮเต็ล) Phayao-Chiang Kham Road, 20 rooms: 120-280 baht
 * Dok Kham Tai Bungalow (ดอกคำใต้บังกะโล) 22 Dok Kham Tai-Phayao Road, 23 rooms: 120-200 baht
 * Dok Kham Tai Hotel (โรงแรมดอกคำใต้) 1 Mu 1 Tambon Don Si Chum, 17 rooms: 80-120 baht

Amphoe Chun

 * Chun Resort (จุนรีสอร์ท) 73 Mu 9 Chun-Dok Kham Tai Road, 6 rooms

--(WT-en) globe-trotter 11:20, 6 February 2010 (EST)