Tha Lo, Phichit
Tha Lo (Thai: ท่าฬ่อ, pronounced [tʰâː lɔ̂ː]) is a tambon (sub-district) of Mueang Phichit District, Phichit Province, upper central Thailand.
History
The name "Tha Lo" is directly translated as "pier of mules", referring to a pier on the riverbank where mules were once loaded and unloaded. However, according to local tradition, the name is thought to have been distorted from "Tha Lo" (ท่าล้อ [tʰâː lɔ́ː]), meaning "pier of wheels". In the past, this area was a hub for wheeled vehicles used for hauling timber and wagons that transported agricultural products.[1]
Tha Lo is regarded as one of the oldest communities in Phichit. Situated at the confluence of the Wang Thong River (locally known as Khlong Tha Lo) and the Nan River, it became an important water trade route during the Ayutthaya period.[2] Wat Tha Lo serves as the community's spiritual anchor, while San Chao Mae Thap Thim Tha Lo, a Chinese temple located on the east bank of the Nan River, houses an ancient shrine dedicated to Shui Wei Sheng Niang, the goddess of the sea and navigation in Chinese belief. The wooden idol enshrined here is considered the oldest carved image of Shui Wei Sheng Niang in Thailand.[3]
Today, locals continue to preserve their traditional way of life.[1]
Geography
Its terrain is a floodplain, suitable for agriculture, with a total area of 21.9 km2 (13,688 rai).
Sub-districts adjacent to Tha Lo are (from north clockwise): Phi Lom in Bang Krathum District of Phitsanulok Province, Pa Makhap in its district, Pak Thang in its district, and Phai Khwang in its district, respectively.[4]
Administration
Tha Lo is administered by the Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO) Tha Lo (องค์การบริหารส่วนตำบลท่าฬ่อ).
Tha Lo also consists of 7 administrative villages (muban). The village no. 1, 3, 4 are outside the municipality and 8 km (4 mi) from Phichit town.[4]
Economy
Most of the locals work in agriculture and fisheries.
Transportation
Tha Lo is served by the Tha Lo railway station of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), whose Northern Line runs through the area. The station is about 354 km (219 mi) from Bangkok railway station (Hua Lamphong). The viaduct across the Nan River of Tha Lo was built in 1966 by Mitsui & Co., Ltd. of Japan.[5]
Places
- Wat Tha Lo
- Chao Mae Thap Thim Tha Lo Shrine
- Tha Lo Market
- Yok Eng Chinese School
Local products
- Thai desserts
- Artificial bonsai[4]
References
- ^ a b Lung Dali (2012-04-14). "คลองท่าฬ่อและวิถีชีวิตคนยังเหมือนเดิม" [Khlong Tha Lo and the way of life remains the same]. Oknation (in Thai).
- ^ Hassi S Thanongsak. "ประวัติศาสตร์อยุธยาฉบับพิศดาร (บุพเพสันนิวาส) 11 เม.ย. 2561" [The intriguing history of Ayutthaya (Love Destiny) 11 Apr 2018]. via YouTube (in Thai). Retrieved 2018-04-12.
- ^ "Chao Mae Thap Thim Shrine". TAT.
- ^ a b c "ข้อมูลตำบลท่าฬอ อำเภอเมือง พิจิตร" [Information of Tha Lo sub-district, Mueang Phichit district]. ThaiTambon (in Thai).
- ^ feelthai (2019-03-31). "เดินดูสะพานรถไฟท่าฬ่อ จังหวัดพิจิตร" [Walk to see Tha Lo railway bridge, Phichit province]. via YouTube (in Thai).