Situated in the heart of Thailand, with its provincial capital some 346 km, north of Bangkok. Phetchabun is the meeting place of three regions, the North, the Central Plains and the Northeast.

The province centres on the Pa Sak River basin with mountain ranges running along both the western and eastern reaches.

Because of the fertility of the soil, Phetchabun has always been a productive area, and its very name means “the land of crops and food”. The province has a long and prosperous history and rich tourism potential. Its climate is attractive due to the mountains and forests.

Some 130 km. south of Phetchabun on Highway 21. and another 9 km. alter a left turn, lie the ruins of Si Thep.

An ancient town where many structures still remain indicative of its past prosperity during the 11th-18th Buddhist Centuries, Si Thep was the centre of contact between the Dvaravati Kingdom in the Central Plains and the Khmer Kingdom in the Northeast.

There are widespread remains of laterite buildings and of several ponds. Artefacts found here include elaborate lintels, Sema stones (used to mark out the limits of Buddhist temples) and jewellery.