Boarding the tram at Si Phet Historical Park in Thailand’s oft-overlooked Phetchabun province, I felt like something of a celebrity. Part of this, of course, was my audience: Older Thai ladies who likely hadn’t seen a face besides their husband’s in a while.
“So handsome,” they said (in English) almost perfunctorily, before asking me where I was from. When I told them I was American, they were surprisingly engaged. “What are your thoughts on the invasion of Venezuela?” they asked, as some of Thailand’s own fighter jets (activated, no doubt, due to conflict with Cambodia) soared overhead.
Now, the goal of this post is to explain some of the best things to do in Phetchabun. But I hope you don’t mind if I intersperse some anecdotes into it.
How to Get to (and Around) Phetchabun
Obviously, if you simply want to go from Bangkok to Phetchabun directly, you can ride a bus from Mo Chit Bus Terminal. These buses leave several times throughout the day, and take around 5-6 hours en route. Alternatively, you could fly to Phitsanulok (the nearest airport to Phetchabun with commercial flights), though you’d need to find a way from there into Phetchabun province.
And herein lies the problem: Once you get to Phetchabun, you need to get around. And so whether are part of a central Thailand road trip, or as a standalone trip, you should either rent your own car, or hire a car and driver (likely through your hotel). The alternative is depending on local songthaew for transport, or attempting to use Grab, neither of which are what I would characterize as reliable options.
What to Do in Phetchabun
Prioritize Wat Phra Sorn Kaew
The many-faced Buddha of Wat Phra Sorn Kaew was what had inspired me to add Phetchabun to my list many years ago. It definitely didn’t disappoint, though two things about it surprised me. Firsdt, that the Buddha itself was much smaller than I expected. And second, that the hillside where it’s built is very, very far out of town, and even off the main road you first turn off to reach it.
(Even if it means renting a car)
As I explained earlier and just alluded to know, a car is really an essential part of any Phetchabun itinerary. The attractions of the province are spread out, so unless you simply want to explore the town (more on that in a second), you need transportation. While I suppose you could hire a car and drive to take you from town and through the so-called ASEAN Intersection up to the temple, I think this would be way more expensive than renting your own vehicle.
Eat Thailand’s most colorful khanom jeen
Another reason I’m glad I had my own wheels? I could stop on the way from the Buddha back to town and enjoy khanom jeen, the thin (and, in Phetchabun, colorful) rice noodles for which this province is famous. I enjoyed mine with Pu Pad Pong Karee (yellow curry with crab), though there are other options, too. Embarrassingly, I arrived at the very local shop without enough cash; I had to drive to a nearby ATM to get some. Yet another reason a car is indispensable!
Don’t neglect the town center
Most of the worthwhile things to do in Phetchabun are not in the town, which is a decidedly residential place, even if it is charming. One exception? Phetbura Buddhist Park which, unsurprisingly, is home to its own Buddha image. You’ll also find a large lake here, and it’s a popular place for local people to exercise and relax. I also suggest coming here at sunset, as it’s the best place in the city to watch it.
Continue onward to Lopburi or Sukhothai
I visited Phetchabun as part of my central Thailand road trip itinerary, and stopped here en route between Lopburi and Sukhothai. You don’t necessarily have to take such a comprehensive trip, though I do think doing so gets you the most bang for your buck (even if my very sound sleep in Phetchabun led to one of my weirdest-ever nightmares: I dreamed that my husband and I were in Tokyo, and got separated when Mt. Fuji erupted. Scary!
Should You Stay Overnight in Phetchabun?
I kind of got lucky in Phetchabun, when it came to accommodation. As you’ll know if you’ve explore rural Thailand at all, hotels and guest houses outside of major cities can be very hit and miss. However, the so-called Monkey Cottage (spoiler alert: There were no monkeys) where I stayed was absolutely fabulous. It was newly-renovated, well-equipped and had a large and mostly empty parking lot.
Really, the question of how many days in Phetchabun you should spend depends on how extensively you plan to explore—and where else you’ll be. For instance, had my 2025 trip to Loei taken place outside of the rainy season, I could’ve stopped at Wat Phra Sorn Kaew on my way back north from Chaiyaphum, without staying the night. By contrast, if you’re taking a standalone trip from Bangkok, not staying at least one night would be a little silly.
Other FAQ About Visiting Phetchabun
Is Phetchabun worth visiting?
Phetchabun is one of the most interesting and least touristic places in Thailand. While it might not be compelling enough to justify going there, especially if it’s your first or second trip in Thailand, I consider it a must-visit province if you like exploring Thailand extensively, and want to see the “real Thailand.”
What is Phetchabun, Thailand known for?
Phetchabun, Thailand is known for a few things, including tamarind (makham in Thai), knanom jeen noodles and the many-faced Wat Phra Sorn Kaew Buddha image. However, it’s not generally known as a tourist destination (or, really, among tourists at all), which gives it a delightfully surprising quality.
How much does it cost to visit Phetchabun?
Phetchabun is an affordable province to visit, with cheap food, reasonably-priced accommodation and only nominal fees for local attractions. On the other hands, you will need to get there via local bus or private car, and will also need some kind of private transport to get around. So it can be surprisingly “expensive” compared to what prices would suggest.
The Bottom Line
Most of my favorite things to do in Phetchabun are unexpected, which makes sense: This central Thai province is a place most people don’t know exists, never mind what it offers as a travel destination. As is the case with nearby Lopburi, the extent to which it truly feels off the beaten path (as cliché as that phrase now is) is at least as important as the array of attractions here. Or, to interpolate another overused travel concept, the journey and the destination can easily become one in the same, in a place that so few foreigners visit. Need personalized help incorporation Phetchabun into your trip? Consider commissioning a custom Thailand itinerary today!
