TH · Phrae Province · 18.14°N 100.14°E

phrae

Teak mansions, indigo-dyed cloth and a compact old northern Thai town.

Best time
November to February is cool and clear, the nicest time for walking. March and April are hot and often smoky from the burning season; June to September is green but wet.
How long
2 days
Getting there
Fly direct to Chiang Mai (about 2.5 hours from KL), then about 3 hours by road. There are no scheduled flights to Phrae. Thailand is 1 hour behind KL.
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TH · Phrae Provincephrae18.14°N 100.14°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Teak mansions, indigo-dyed cloth and a compact old northern Thai town.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingPhraeTH, Phrae Province
KLphrae
≈ 1,676 km from KL, as the crow flies
5401-02-0005

Photo: Anurak Sankhuean · CC BY-SA 3.0

1 / 5

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A small, old northern town that grew rich on teak, with grand wooden mansions, quiet temples and a walled old centre that's easy to walk. Indigo-dyed mo hom shirts are the local craft, and the eroded earth pillars outside town make a good second day.

Makan

  1. Khao soiNorthern curry noodles with crispy noodles on top; chicken versions are common.Map ↗
  2. Nam phrik numA smoky green-chilli dip, eaten with steamed vegetables and sticky rice.Map ↗
  3. Gai yangGrilled chicken with sticky rice, from roadside grills.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Khum VongburiA pink teak mansion trimmed with carved fretwork, kept as it was with the family's furniture.Map ↗
  2. Khum Chao LuangThe last ruling prince's residence, a big white teak house with a dungeon underneath.Map ↗
  3. Wat Phra That Cho HaeA hilltop temple just outside town whose gold chedi is wrapped in satin cloth.Map ↗
  4. Ban Thung HongThe village of indigo-dyed mo hom shirts, with workshops and shops along the road.Map ↗
  5. Phae Mueang PhiA small valley of eroded earth pillars and spires, best in the late-afternoon light.Map ↗

Good to know

  • The old centre is walkable, but Ban Thung Hong, Cho Hae and the earth pillars need a car.
  • New mo hom cloth bleeds dye, so keep it away from pale clothes in your bag.
  • Pork is in a lot of northern food and halal places are few. Grilled chicken, fish and egg dishes are the easy fallback.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.