tations in the surrounding countryside (photo left is of the sweet tamarind statue outside the local government office). A very brown River Pasak runs through the town; hopefully the turbid nature of the water is caused by natural surface water run-off rather than deforestation. Where the river flows adjacent to Tripoom Temple there are rows of steps leading down to the water. This is where the “Loy Gratong” festival is celebrated in November of each year. A tradition, unique to Phetchabun, is the celebration of “Umpra Dam Nam” in September. This dates back hundreds of years to when a wooden statue of the Buddha was found floating in the river and duly placed in Tripoom Temple.The town is quieter and much less congested than many other places I have visited. Dating back to the Sukhothai Period (1238-1438) and having been rebuilt during the Ayutthaya Period (1677-1767), sections of the old wall are still in evidence and at least one part is under renovation. At first I thought that it was being ripped down (have obviously spent too much time around Pattaya!) but then realised that reconstructive repair work was being undertaken. In fact, many of the older style wooden buildings, some with a concrete or brick ground floor and an upper wooden floor, are still in use as homes, shops and restaurants.
Part of the old city wall and fortress.
What did strike me, however, was the way everything appears to be in good working order. The roads are clean and tidy and even the traffic lights work! Very rarely is this the case in Pattaya and Jomtien where the building never seems to stop, the roads and footpaths are constantly being ripped up and relaid (over long periods of time) and the traffic lights are often out of order. It makes one wonder whether the local government and people really care about the place, or whether the whole area has simply been set aside in order to procure as much foreign money as possible?
Having said this, I don’t wish for anyone living in Pattaya or Jomtien to take offence. There are many positive things about the area including world class medical facilities and dentistry, excellent restaurants, exciting entertainment and a huge, diverse array of shops (wonderful if you have the money!). The problem is that I always get the impression that the place will never be finished!
Sunset taken from Pattaya Lighthouse looking west towards Koh Lan (Lan Island).
However, I digress. All I wished to point out is that Phetchabun seems to be a most tranquil and pleasant Thai town. I was informed that there are a number of foreigners who have decided to settle in the area, but I actually saw very few (three in fact). Perhaps that is one of the reasons the town has been able to keep it’s charm. Foreigners are always made welcome in Thailand but once mass tourism hits an area the place seems to go downhill pretty quickly, as is the case in many parts of the world. In the afternoon we went to Dong Moon Lek Temple were there is a covered shrine set in a lake from which you can purchase fish food or bread to give to the (understandably!) massive planin (carp family?), plasawai (snakehead fish?) and pladuk (catfish). “Pla”, surprisingly enough, is Thai for “fish”. It was difficult to determine just how large some of the fish were as the water boiled with them devouring the food, but I don’t think going for a swim would be good idea! Fishing is not allowed as the lake and environs are all part of a Buddhist temple.
A couple of photographs showing the more traditional style of house on the outskirts of Phetchabun.
The early evening was spent at Nong Naree Park which features a huge lake that, at the right time of year, is literally covered with pink lotus flowers; unfortunately we were a few days too late and the beautiful flowers were already decomposing and returning to the lake. Once the sun went down it was not long before the mosquitoes came out in force and we retired to Gung's mother's house for supper.
The lake at Nong Naree Park.
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