Charms of Phrao
This bunch of caches wants to show you some of the hidden attractions of Phrao. Its singular location, shielded from heavy trough-traffic by a semicircle of mountains, let this little district town preserve its compact cohesion of an ancient „vieng“ (square-shaped small settlement), and its social function as a market center for the needs of the local agriculture-based life. Phrao lies amidst a rice-planting plain, criss-crossed by countless quiet lanes which connect the surrounding villages – an ideal sample of traditional rural life, but also an ample paradise for bikers – should it once be discovered by them.
All the caches' locations are accessible by any vehicle, albeit to reach some of the appropriate sites an additional walk of a few minutes may be needed. The caches should not be too difficult to find, to leave you more time for enjoying the scenery and atmosphere. To make it even more relaxing, you might consider an overnight stay – there are plenty of decent guest rooms at very fair rates available. Also for food, just reckon with about 30% below Chiang Mai price level. And even more with very friendly people all over the service scene!
Phrao can also be reached by well-serviced public transport, leaving from Chang Phueak Station around hourly. But unfortunately, up to now there is no vehicle rental in Phrao, what hopefully might change in not too distant future.
The Golden Guardian
For ages, the golden fellow residing opposite the Phrao Bus Station has been defending the community against threatening misfortune, even though he doesn`t even have arms or legs to act. The monolithic shape of such a „lak mueang“ (city pillar) can be derived from a rice shoot as an ancient symbol of fertility, but is also related to the phallic representation of the Hindu God Shiva, the mighty creator. Both interpretations aren't necessarily mutually exclusive, and for the population it's anyway his protective power that counts. That's why they worship him with offerings, as a motivation to carry on with his beneficial commitment.
With respect to the minimum distance rule, the cache (nano size!) is placed on the opposite side of the street.