Destination Travel Guide Phrae province

Welcome to Phrae province between the mountains and rivers of North Thailand. The capital city of Phrae province is of course Phrae town, located along the Yom River. Phrae town is an older town dating back to pre-Lanna Kingdom with a recent history as center of the logging industry in North Thailand. It is a place less visited by tourists and because of that a lovely place to experience the authentic northern way of life. 

For a personal touch of help or for creating your own personal tailor-made holiday together with a local travel specialist, feel free to contact me by email at Your Personal Travel Butler The Little Elephant (free of charge).

Read more about other destinations at DESTINATION TRAVEL GUIDES.

Ayutthaya - Bangkok -  Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai - Hat Yai - Hua Hin - Koh Samui - Koh Kuud - Krabi - Khorat - Khon Kaen - Kanchanaburi - Lampang - Lopburi - Loei - Nan - Nong Khai - Pattaya - Phrae - Phitsanulok - Phuket - Saraburi - Surat Thani - Sukhothai - Songkhla - Ubon Ratchathani

The highlights of Phrae

The highlight of Phrae province is Phrae town with its colonial style teak wooden houses, small streets and markets. Upcountry in Phrae province you will find National Parks like Mae Yom and Wiang Kosai with rivers, waterfalls and caves like the Pha Nang Khoi Cave.

Popular destinations within Phrae province

Most people will go to Phrae town to visit the historical center but upcountry are some beautiful mountains area's with Mae Yom National Park and Wiang Kosai National Park.

What to do in Phrae?

When walking thru Phrae town you will see the old history of Phrae in harmony with the modern Phrae, you will see beautiful old wooden houses from the time of colonial logging industry, you will see centuries old temples and a lively night market. So make a walking or bicycling tour and visit the
Khum Chao Luang Museum, the Siri Thai Museum, Wongburi House, the wooden Wat Chom Sawan,  the ruins of Wat Luang and the Wat Phong Sunan.

Just outside Phrae town you could visit the Phae Mueang Phi Park, a geological sculpted landscape. Or visit the village Thung Hong where the famous Seua Mah Hom (Blue coloured Indigo shirts) are still made by hand. Along the highway (route 101) are famous markets selling anything made of teak wood. And other shops are selling all kind of knives. 

And bit further out of town you will find some very special temples like the Wat Phrathat Cho Hae, the Golden Rock Temple and the Wat Phratat Suthon Mongkhon Kiri. And in the mountains you will of course find waterfalls like the Choeng Tong Waterfall, 

For more information about Phrae have a look at my travel blog postings about Phrae province.

When to go to Phrae?

Of course you can travel to Phrae the all year around, the weather is as hot as everywhere in Thailand during the hot season of April and May. Then the monsoon season begins that lasts until end October with chance of heavy rains and some local flooding. From November to March the cool season hits the North of Thailand and temperatures in Phrae province may go down to about 10℃ during night time (December-February). 

Accommodation in Phrae province

Phrae town has a wide range of accommodation from cheap hotels to lay your head to comfortable boutique hotels. And upcountry of Phrae province are some nice resorts and organic homestay farms. While traveling I stay sometimes in Phrae town or the country-side of Phrae, have a look at all the hotels I stayed at Accommodation in Phrae.

Food & Beverages in Phrae province

In Phrae town are many small restaurants, a bit spread all over town. And of course along the Yom River behind Phrae town. Out of town you will be limited to local restaurants. Have a look at all restaurants I did visit at Places to eat in Phrae.

National Museum in Phrae, North Thailand

How to get there & around in Phrae?

• By Air : Phrae has an airport (PRH) and can be reached from Bangkok Don Muang Airport (DMK) and is served by Air Asia and Nok Air. The airport is located at the center west side of town.
• By Train : About 15 km south of Phrae town is Den Chai train station for trains to / from Bangkok or Chiang Mai.
• By Car or Motorbike : Phrae can be reached from all major cities in Thailand. Phrae is located at the beginning of the mountains of North Thailand, all major highways are divided highways and in good quality to drive or ride.
• By Bus : Phrae can be reached from any major city in Thailand.

Where to go next from Phrae?

• Chiang Rai is about 239 km north-west from Phrae and is considered the gate-way to Myanmar and Laos. Coming from Phrae you will be passing the famous White Temple of Chiang Rai.
• Phayao about 150 km north-west of Phrae town and located along the beautiful Kwan Phayao lake. A great place to stay overnight and from there to continue to Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai. A great route for riding motorbike or scooter.
• Nan is about 120 km north of Phrae and an truly off the beaten path province where slow life still goes on in the mountains and small villages. A great route for motorbike riding. 
• Chiang Mai is about 200 km west of Phrae and is called the rose of the north. 
• Lampang is about 100 km west of Phrae and is famous for its old wooden Thai houses and beautiful Lanna style temples. Via route 1023 and route 11 this a is stunning motorbike trip.

Geographical location of Phrae province

Clockwise Phrae province is surrounded by Lampang province, Phayao province, Nan province, Uttaradit province and Sukhothai province. The main river in Phrae is the Yom River.

Location on Google Maps

Map of Phrae town

Disclaimer : All information is created in good faith and is an expression of fair comment.