Lonely Planet คัมภีร์นักเดินทาง โดย โทนี และมัวรีน วีลเลอร์ สองสามีภรรยาชาวอังกฤษ เจ้าของและผู้ก่อตั้ง  ซึ่งเป็นผู้ที่หลงใหลการเดินทางและท่องเที่ยวแบบประหยัดเข้าสายเลือด เล่มThailand - Northern Thailand (Chapter) เขียนเกี่ยวกับเมืองแพร่ว่า “เป็นจังหวัดอยู่ท่ามกลางภูเขา ผูกพันอยู่กับไม้สัก หากได้เดินทางตามย่านเมืองเก่าจะพบว่ามีส่วนคล้ายหลวงพระบาง” เมืองประวัติศาสตร์ของลาว ที่เต็มไปด้วยพื้นที่สีเขียว เรือนไม้เก่า ๆ และวัดวาอารามสวยงาม พระสงฆ์เดินกันขวักไขว่ ผู้คนในเมืองนี้ต้องมีความเป็นมิตรมากกว่าที่อื่นใดในประเทศไทย แพร่ตั้งอยู่ริมฝั่งแม่น้ำยม มีกำแพงเมืองโบราณชวนให้มาเยือนเหมือนเชียงใหม่ แต่ก็ยังมีนักท่องเที่ยวน้อย ทั้งที่เป็นแหล่งท่องเที่ยวชั้นเยี่ยม ดังนั้เป็นจุดหมายสำหรับผู้ที่ต้องการท่องเที่ยวเหนือกว่าธรรมชาติ มีอาหารอร่อย และมีผู้คนซึ่งเปี่ยมไปด้วยมิตรไมตรี”

This is the Northern Thailand chapter from Lonely Planet’s Thailand guidebook. Northern Thailand’s mountains may not be large, but their impact and significance on Thai culture are immense. Whether exploring a Buddhist temple in Phrae, taking part in a homestay in rural Sukhothai, or sampling a dish at Lampang’s evening market – northern Thailand’s cultural attractions are generally low-key but are eminently rewarding. And the region’s rugged geography ensures that there is also ample opportunity for trekking, rafting or visiting a national park. Exploring one of the region’s numerous and diverse national parks, such as Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park or the rugged Salawin National Park

Hiking and rafting in Um Phang, where the end of the road leads to Nam Tok Thilawsu, Thailand’s biggest, most beautiful waterfall transport restaurants & accommodation Cycling around the awesome ruins of Thailand’s ‘Golden Age’ at Sukhothai and Si Satchanalai-Chaliang Historical Parks Coverage includes: Lamphun Province, Lamphun, Around Lamphun, Lampang Province, Lampang, Around Lampang, Chiang Rai Province, Chiang Rai, Around Chiang Rai, Mae Salong (Santikhiri), Mae Sai, Around Mae Sai, Chiang Saen, Around Chiang Saen, Chiang Khong, Phayao Province, Phayao, Phrae Province, Around Phrae, Nan Province, Nan, Around Nan, Phitsanulok Province, Phitsanulok, Around Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, Around Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet Province, Kamphaeng Phet, Tak Province, Mae Sot, Mae Sot to Um Phang, Um Phang & Around, Mae Sot to Mae Sariang, Mae Hong Son Province, Mae Hong Son, Around Mae Hong Son, Pai and Soppong.

Introducing Phrae

Walking around the old city of Phrae one is struck by similarities with the historical Lao city of Luang Prabang: ample greenery, traditional wood buildings and scenic temples dominate the scenery, and monks form a significant part of the traffic. The city's residents must be among the friendliest folks in Thailand, and Phrae's location on the banks of the Mae Nam Yom and its ancient wall invite comparisons with Chiang Mai. Despite all this, Phrae is a little-visited city and a great destination for those who require little more than a few low-key attractions, good local food and cheery company.

Sights in Phrae Vongburi House Phrae, Thailand Sights › Museum

The two-storey teak house of the last prince of Phrae has been converted into a private museum. It was constructed between 1897 and 1907 for Luang Phongphibun and his wife Chao Sunantha, who once held a profitable teak concession in the city. Elaborate carvings on gables, eaves, balconies and above doors and windows are in good condition. Inside, many of the house's 20 rooms display late-19th-century teak antiques, documents (including early-20th-century slave concessions), photos and other artefacts from the bygone teak-dynasty era. Most are labelled in English as well as Thai.

Wat Phra Non Phrae, Thailand Sights › Temple

Located west of Wat Luang is a 300-year-old wát named after its highly revered reclining prá norn (reclining Buddha image). The bòht (central sanctuary) was built around 200 years ago and has an impressive roof with a separate, two-tiered portico and gilded, carved, wooden facade with Ramayana scenes. The wí·hhn behind the bòht contains the Buddha image, swathed in Thai Lü cloth with bead and foil decoration.

Wat Phra Baht Ming Meuang Phrae, Thailand Sights › Temple

Across from the post office within the old city, Wat Phra Baht Ming Meuang combines two formerly separate temple compounds (one of which contains a museum that is sporadically open), a Buddhist school, an old chedi, an unusual octagonal drum tower made entirely of teak and the highly revered Phra Kosai, which closely resembles the Phra Chinnarat in Phitsanulok.

Wat Luang Phrae, Thailand Sights › Temple

This is the oldest wát in Phrae, probably dating from the founding of the city in the 12th or 13th century. Phra That Luang Chang Kham, the large octagonal Lanna-style chedi, sits on a square base with elephants supporting it on all four sides. As is sometimes seen in Phrae and Nan, the chedi is occasionally swathed in Thai Lü fabric. The verandah of the main wí·hhn is in the classic Luang Prabang-Lan Xang style but has unfortunately been bricked in with laterite. Opposite the front of the wí·hhn is Pratu Khong, part of the city's original entrance gate. No longer used as a gate, it now contains a statue of Chao Pu, an early Lanna ruler. Also on the temple grounds…

Wat Jom Sawan Phrae, Thailand Sights › Temple

Outside the old city on Th Ban Mai, this Buddhist temple was built by local Shan in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and shows Shan and Burmese influences throughout. An adjacent copper-crowned chedi has lost most of its stucco to reveal the artful brickwork beneath. Since a recent renovation, Wat Jom Sawan is more of a museum piece than a functioning temple.

Baan Pratubjai Phrae, Thailand Sights › Museum

On the outskirts of the town is Baan Pratubjai (Impressive House), a large northern Thai-style teak house that was built using more than 130 teak logs, each over 300 years old. Opened in 1985, the house took four years to build, using timber taken from nine old rural houses. The interior pillars are ornately carved. The house is also filled with souvenir vendors and is rather tackily decorated, so don't take the moniker 'impressive' too seriously. Pratubjai House is somewhat difficult to find; your best bet is to exit at the west gate of the former city wall and follow the signs, turning right after the school. A shm·lór here should cost about 60B.

http://shop.lonelyplanet.com/shopSearch?q=phrae^10+phrae%20province

•แก้ไขล่าสุด• ( •วัน•พฤหัสบดี•ที่ 11 •กรกฏาคม• 2013 เวลา 21:25 น.• )