Phitsanulok

Phitsanulok พิษณุโลก
City Municipality
Phitsanulok skyline from the Grand Riverside Hotel
Nickname(s): Song Khwae (The two rivers)
Phitsanulok
Coordinates: 16°48′57″N 100°15′49″E / 16.81583°N 100.26361°E / 16.81583; 100.26361Coordinates: 16°48′57″N 100°15′49″E / 16.81583°N 100.26361°E / 16.81583; 100.26361
Country	Thailand
Province	Phitsanulok
Amphoe	Mueang Phitsanulok
Government
• Type	City municipality
• Mayor	Premrudee Champunot
Area
• Total	10,815.854 km2 (4,176.025 sq mi)
Population
• Total	84,311
• Density	7,795.7/km2 (20,191/sq mi)
Time zone	ICT (UTC+7)
Postal code	65000
Geocode	650101
Chief roadway	Route 12
Chief watercourse	Nan River
Chief airport	Phitsanulok Airport
Website	[1]

Phitsanulok (Thai: พิษณุโลก, pronounced [pʰít.sa.nú.lôːk]) is an important, historic city in lower northern Thailand and is the capital of Phitsanulok Province, which stretches all the way to the Laotian border. Phitsanulok is one of the oldest cities in Thailand, founded over 600 years ago. It is probably best known as the birthplace of King Naresuan, who freed the country from Burmese domination in the late 16th century, and that of his brother and successor King Ekathosarot (Sanphet III). As the crossroad between the northern and central regions of the country, it has long been important both for political and strategic reasons, and was fought over many times in centuries past. Phitsanulok was the capital of Thailand for 25 years during the reign of King Boromma Trailokanat of Ayutthaya. On the banks of the Nan River, the city was originally a small Khmer outpost known as Song Kwae, before the Khwae Noi River changed its course in the 11th century CE. Phitsanulok was also a provincial center of the Angkorian Empire during the Angkorian period. Phitsanulok is home to Naresuan University and Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University, as well as to a major Royal Thai Army base.

Phitsanulok is in the north of Thailand. Phitsanulok is about 377 kilometers north of Bangkok by car. Phitsanulok covers some 10815.8 square kilometers or 6.37 percentage of area in the north of Thailand and 2.1 percentage of area in Thailand. Phitsanulok border on the north and the north-east of Thailand. The north is adjacent to Uttaradit and Loa. The south is adjacent to Phichit. The east is adjacent to Loei and Phetchabun. The west is adjacent to Kamphangphet and Sukothai. Phitsanulok is consisting of the mountain region, the plain region and the highest point. It has many water falls, forests and caves. In the north is central area. In the north-west is a highland. It’s the important recreational area such as Kaeng Sopha waterfall, Phu Hin Rong Kla and Phu Soi Dow. In the south plains along the Yom River and the Nan River is the most important agricultural district of Phitsanulok.