Phichit
พิจิตร · Phichit Province
Population
30K
Budget / Month
$190
Internet
40 Mbps
Best Season
November to February
About Phichit
Phichit lies in the flat Nan River plain between Phitsanulok and Nakhon Sawan, surrounded by rice paddies that stretch to the horizon in every direction. It is a quintessential Thai provincial town — a collection of shophouses, government buildings, a morning market, and a handful of temples, with no pretense of being a tourist destination.
The town's identity is built around two things: Bueng Si Fai, a large lake on the edge of town that fills with lotus flowers and water birds, and the legend of Chalawan the crocodile. The Chalawan legend, a Thai folk tale about a shape-shifting crocodile prince, is set in Phichit and commemorated by a crocodile statue in the town center and the Chalawan Cave outside town. Thai tourists occasionally visit for these, but foreign visitors are extremely rare.
The surrounding province is almost entirely agricultural — this is deep rice country. The Nan River flows through, providing irrigation and the occasional scenic spot. Wat Tha Luang, an important local temple, sits on the riverside.
Phichit is not a destination. It is a place you pass through on the way between Phitsanulok and Nakhon Sawan, or a town you visit if you want to experience rural central-northern Thailand at its most unhurried. The cost of living is rock-bottom and the people are welcoming, but there is genuinely very little for a visitor to do beyond enjoy the lake and eat cheap food.
Historical Note
Phichit was historically a small mueang in the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya kingdoms, serving as an agricultural center in the Nan River valley. The Chalawan crocodile legend, one of Thailand's most famous folk tales, places its story in Phichit province, giving the town a cultural fame that far exceeds its physical size.
Best time to visit: November to February
At a Glance
Thai Name
พิจิตร
Province
Phichit
Region
Northern
Population
30,000
Area
4,531 km²
Elevation
30 m
Postal Code
66000
Local Language
Thai
Cost of Living
budget
/month6,800 THB
~$190 USD
comfortable
/month12,100 THB
~$335 USD
luxury
/month19,500 THB
~$540 USD
accommodation
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Hostel dorm per night | 150 | 250 |
| Budget hotel per night | 300 | 500 |
| Mid-range hotel per night | 500 | 900 |
| Monthly 1BR apartment | 2,000 | 3,500 |
food
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Street food meal | 30 | 45 |
| Local restaurant meal | 35 | 60 |
| Cappuccino | 35 | 55 |
| Large beer (bar) | 50 | 85 |
| Water 1.5L | 10 | 14 |
transport
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Local shared transport | 10 | 20 |
| Motorbike rental per day | 150 | 250 |
| Fuel full tank scooter | 80 | 120 |
utilities
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Internet fiber per month | 400 | 600 |
| Mobile plan per month | 200 | 400 |
| Electricity per month | 400 | 1,000 |
entertainment
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Gym per month | 400 | 800 |
| Laundry per load | 25 | 40 |
Internet & Connectivity
Speed Test Averages
vs Bangkok Average (200 Mbps)
20% of Bangkok speed
Providers
Coworking Spaces
0
Weather & Climate
November to February for cool weather and lotus flowers on Bueng Si Fai. The boat racing festival on the Nan River in September-October is the main annual event.
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rain (mm) | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 32 | 18 | 5 | 60% |
| Feb | 35 | 20 | 15 | 55% |
| Mar | 37 | 23 | 30 | 55% |
| Apr | 38 | 25 | 70 | 60% |
| May | 35 | 25 | 170 | 70% |
| Jun | 34 | 25 | 140 | 75% |
| Jul | 33 | 24 | 170 | 78% |
| Aug | 33 | 24 | 200 | 80% |
| Sep | 33 | 23 | 230 | 80% |
| Oct | 32 | 22 | 130 | 75% |
| Nov | 31 | 19 | 30 | 65% |
| Dec | 30 | 17 | 5 | 60% |
Things to Do
Bueng Si Fai
บึงสีไฟ
Large lake covered in lotus flowers, especially beautiful in cool season, with boat rides available.
Chalawan Crocodile Statue
รูปปั้นไอ้ด่างชาละวัน
Bronze statue of the legendary crocodile from Thai folklore in the town center.
Wat Tha Luang
วัดท่าหลวง
Important riverside temple with a large Buddha image and grounds overlooking the Nan River.
Phichit Boat Racing
งานแข่งเรือพิจิตร
Annual long-boat races on the Nan River, one of the province's biggest events.
Morning Market
Small but authentic local market with cheap food and produce.
Chalawan Cave
ถ้ำชาละวัน
Small cave associated with the Chalawan crocodile legend outside town.
Nan River Cycling
Flat cycling along the Nan River and through rice paddies.
Food & Dining
ขนมจีน
Kanom Jeen
Rice noodles with curry sauces — a ubiquitous breakfast food here.
25-40
Morning market
ส้มตำ
Som Tam
Spicy papaya salad, popular across the region.
30-45
Street vendors everywhere
ปลาทอด
Pla Thot
Deep-fried river fish from the Nan River.
50-100
Riverside restaurants
ข้าวผัด
Khao Pad
Fried rice, a staple everywhere — cheap and filling.
30-50
Every rice-curry shop
หมูปิ้ง
Moo Ping
Grilled pork skewers — the universal Thai snack.
10-15
Morning and evening market vendors
Night Markets
- Phichit Night Market
Accommodation
Hostel Dorm
150 - 250
THB / night
Budget Hotel
300 - 500
THB / night
Mid-Range
500 - 900
THB / night
Luxury
900 - 1,500
THB / night
Studio /mo
1,800 - 3,000
THB / night
1BR /mo
2,000 - 3,500
THB / night
Best Areas for Tourists
Best Areas for Long Stay
Booking Tip
Extremely limited options. A few basic hotels near the town center. Most travelers pass through without stopping.
Getting There from Bangkok
Train northern line
4-5 hours
180-1000 THB
Bus direct
4-5 hours
250-400 THB
Getting Around
Songthaew
LimitedVery limited routes
10-20
Motorbike rental
LimitedOnly practical way to explore
150-250
Tuk-tuk
LimitedOccasional
20-40
Neighborhoods
Town Center / Bueng Si Fai Area
Quiet Thai provincial townMain commercial area near the lake with hotels, market, and restaurants.
Best for: Everything
Riverside
Peaceful farmlandAlong the Nan River — residential and rural.
Best for: Scenery and peace
Festivals & Events
Boat Racing Festival
ประเพณีแข่งเรือ
Long-boat races on the Nan River with food fairs and local entertainment.
Songkran
สงกรานต์
Water festival with temple ceremonies.
Loy Krathong
ลอยกระทง
Floating offerings on Bueng Si Fai and the Nan River.
Chalawan Cultural Fair
Local celebrations of the Chalawan crocodile legend.
Practical Info
Hospital
Phichit Hospital
Best SIM Provider
AIS or TrueMove
ATM Availability
Common
Language Tip
Almost no English spoken anywhere.
Drinking Water
Drink bottled water only.
Tipping Culture
Not expected
7-Eleven Density
Common
Emergency Numbers
Tourist police 1155, Emergency 191
Day Trips
Phitsanulok
University city with Phra Phuttha Chinnarat and night market.
Nakhon Sawan
River junction city where the Ping and Nan rivers meet to form the Chao Phraya.
Kamphaeng Phet
Historical park with Sukhothai-era ruins.
Nearby Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phichit worth visiting?
Honestly, only if you have a specific interest in the Chalawan crocodile legend or want to see Bueng Si Fai's lotus flowers. One of Thailand's least touristed provincial capitals.
How much does it cost to live in Phichit?
Rock-bottom — budget living around 6800 THB/month, possibly the cheapest in Thailand.
What is Phichit known for?
The Chalawan crocodile folk tale, Bueng Si Fai lotus lake, boat racing on the Nan River, and being a very quiet agricultural town.
How do I get from Bangkok?
Train (4-5 hours) or bus (4-5 hours) on the northern route. No flights.
How many days do I need?
Half a day is sufficient. Most travelers pass through without stopping.
Is there anything to do at night?
Very little. A small night market and a few basic local bars. Bring a book.