Phrae

Phrae
แพร่
ᨻᩯᩖ᩵
Town
เมืองแพร่
ᨾᩮᩬᩥᨦᨻᩯᩖ᩵
Phrae
Coordinates: 18°8′43″N 100°8′31″E / 18.14528°N 100.14194°E / 18.14528; 100.14194
CountryThailand
ProvincesPhrae Province
AmphoeMueang Phrae
Area
  Total
9 km2 (3 sq mi)
Elevation
159 m (522 ft)
Population
 (2019)
15,316
Time zoneUTC+7 (ICT)
Websitehttps://www.phraecity.go.th/event.php

Phrae (Northern Thai: ᨻᩯᩖ᩵; Thai: แพร่; pronounced [pʰrɛ̂ː]) is a town (thesaban mueang) and capital of Phrae Province and Mueang Phrae district. It is located in Northern Thailand on the east bank of the Yom river, 555 km north of Bangkok by road.

The town occupies tambon Nai Wiang of Mueang Phrae District and has an area of nine km2 with a population of 15,316 (2019). The town is known for its rich history, textile industry and temple architecture, as well as offering a blend of both Isan and Lan Na culture and cruisine.

The town was first established in 1371. During the late 1800s, Phrae served as a major center for the teak trade, with numerous foreign companies operating around the town. Before centralization reforms by King Chulalongkorn were untertakened, Phrae served as the capital of the Kingdom of Phrae and the seat of the royal family of Phrae. In 1902, the town served as the center for the Shan-led Ngiao rebellion, which aimed to overthrow Central Thai rule over Lan Na before being crushed. Central Thai authority over Phrae was reestablished on 16 August 1902.