Nonthaburi, Thailand

Overview:
Nonthaburi is situated in a fertile basin on the bank of the Chao Phraya River. this abundant town is full of fruit and flower plantations as well as historical temples. The town is only 20 kms. from Bangkok and is conveniently accessible by road or river. Nonthaburi has been found in history as a part of the Ayutthaya Kingdom.

It was once consolidated with Bangkok in 1943 and was re-established as a province in 1946. Nonthaburi occupies an area of 622 square kilometres.

Nonthaburi is over 400 years old, dating back to when Ayutthaya was the capital. The town was originally located at Tambon Ban Talat Khwan, a famous fruit orchard where the Chao Phraya River and various canals pass through.

King Prasat Thong ordered the digging of a canal as a shortcut from the south of Wat Thai Muang to Wat Khema because the old waterway flowed into Om River to Bang Yai then to Bang Kruai Canal next to Wat Chalo before ending in front of Wat Khema.

After the new shortcut was completed, the Chao Phraya River changed its flow into the new route that remains today. In 1665, King Narai the Great noticed that the new route gave enemies too much proximity to the capital. Therefore, he ordered that a fortress be built at the mouth of Om River and relocated Nonthaburi to this area. A city shrine still stands there.

Later during the reign of King Rama IV of the Rattanakosin period, he ordered the town moved to the mouth of Bang Su Canal in Ban Talat Khwan. King Rama V then had the provincial hall built there on the left bank of the Chao Phraya River. In 1928, the hall was moved to Ratchawitthayalai, Ban Bang Khwan, Tambon Bang Tanao Si. It is now the Training Division of the Ministry of Interior on Pracha Rat 1 Road, Amphoe Muang, on the bank of the Chao Phraya River. The building is of European architecture decorated with patterned woodwork. The Fine Arts Department has registered it as an historical site. The provincial hall is now on Rattanathibet Road.

Attractions:
Old City Hall
This was constructed during the reign of King Rama Vl in a European architectural style with fine carved teak wood decorated all over the building. The front area of the city hall facing the Chao Phraya River is used as a rest area for the public.

Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat
This royal temple is located on the western side of the river in Tambon Bang Si Muang, Amphoe Muang. It was constructed under the royal command of King Rama lll to the dedication of his mother and grandparents who resided in this area. The temple was built in a mixed Thai and Chinese architectural style with bricks from the demolition of an old fortress at the mouth of Khlong Om. It houses a number of shrines and some extremely beautiful paintings on the chapel walls. Beautiful scriptures have been added to the gable, door and window frames of the chapel.

Wat Khema Phirataram
This riverside temple, located on Phibun Sonaqkhram Road, is 2 kms. south of the town centre. It was built during the Ayutthaya period and was later renovated in the reigns of King Rama II and IV of the Rattanakosin era. The main pagoda called "Phra Maha Chedi" contains Lord Buddha's relics. There are buddha images of the Ayutthaya period enshrined in the ubosot.

Wat Prasat
This temple is on the Bang Kruai-Bang Bua Thong Road or 2 kms. from the river bank in Tambon Bang Krang, Amphoe Muang. The ubosot is of the Ayutthaya style having sophisticated craftsmanship. The carving designs on the gable of the niche and the mural paintings in the ubosot maintain special characteristics of the Nonthaburi school of arts.

Wat Chonprathan Rangsarit
This is a Thammayutti monastery located in the vicinity of Tambon Bang Talat, Amphoe Pak Kret. Every Sunday and Buddhist holy day, its pleasant compound is always crowded with Buddhists who come to the offer food to the monks and listen to the sermon given by the abbot, Phra Thap Wisuthi - Methi. (Panya Nandha Bhikku)

Wat Ku
This temple is located in the vicinity of Tambon Bang Phut, 4 kms. from Amphoe Pak Kret. It was constructed at the time when the Mon people, led by Phraya Cheng, migrated into the Kingdom during the reign of King Taksin of the Thonburi era (late 18th century). There is a building constructed to commemorate King Rama V's Queen Sunantha who drowned in a shipwreck. Her body was temporarily placed in the temple prior to transfer into Bangkok.

Koh Kret
This is a tiny island in the Chao Phraya River, accessible by boat from Wat Sanam Nua, not far from the Pak Kret District Office. On it live a community of craftsmen famous for their distinctive style of pottery which dates back many centuries. Ko Kret pots are known for their fine, red-black glazed surface and intricate design. The islanders are the descendants of the Mon people, and they have managed to retain the skills of their forefathers.

Wat Paramaiyikawat
This ethnic Mon style temple is located on Ko Kret. It was constructed by the Mon immigrants during the Thonburi period and was later restored in the reign of King Rama V. The temple houses wall paintings, a marble reclining Buddha image crafted in the Mon style and a chapel decorated with delicate stucco work on the doors and windows.

Wat Sao Thong Thong
This temple of Ayutthaya period is located on Ko Kret. It is noted for an extremely beautiful Thai-style golden cone ceiling above the principle Buddha image in the chapel.

Bang Sai Garden
This orchid farm is situated only 2 kms. from Pak Kret Intersection along Chaeng Watthana Road. Orchids of several kinds and colours, as well as often decorated plants are available for gardens. Call 583-8231 for more information.

Wat Amphawan
This temple of the late Ayutthaya period is located by Khlong (canal) Om in Tambon Bang Muang, Amphoe Bang Yai. It can be accessed either by boat from the Bang Yai District Office or by the Bang Bua Thong-Taling Chan route. It houses a wooden "Ho Trai Kiang Nam" (a hall for keeping a scripture situated in a pond) constructed in magnificent Thai architecture with intricate designs.

Plant Market Nonthaburi is one of Thailand´s major producer for flower and fruit plants. On a journey along the Taling Chan-Suphean Buri route Via Bang Kruai and Bang Yai Districts, a vast variety of plants, both flower and fruit, are available for gardeners.


Festivals & Events:
Nonthaburi Fruits Fair
This annual fair is held during April-June to celebrate the abundance of such local fruits as durian, mangosteen and mangoes, then at their peak of succulent pipeness.

Besides stalls selling the produce of surrounding orchards and local products, there are colourful processions of floats decorated with fruits and flowers, beauty pageants friuts contests, cultural shows, exhibitions of provincial handicrafts and agricultural produce, and local entertainment.

Giving Offerings to 108 Monks Festival
is held to make merit and has been practiced for decades. The attractive festival is held along the Bangkok Noi Canal at many temples including Wat Thai Charoen, Wat Bang Krai Nok, Wat Utthayan, and Wat Bang Krai Nai. This festival is annually held on the 8th day of the waning moon in the twelfth month of the lunar calendar.

Mon Dance Festival
is one of the oldest Mon dramatic arts. The current Mons have managed to retain the skills of their forefathers. In Pak Kret, Phra Pradaeng and Pathum Thani, many people can still perform the Mon dance and the Mon alto oboe.

How to get there:
By Boat
Take a Tha Chang-Bangkok Noi-Bang Yai ferry line from Chang Pier. It operates from 06.30 to 23.00 hrs. and leaves from the pier every 30 minutes. The best time for the visitors to ride a ferry is from 08.30 to 15.30 hrs.

By Car
From Phra Nang Klao Bridge turn left to Bang Kruai for 17 kilometres at Bang Bua Thong junction, turn right to Nonthaburi District Office at Wat Chalo, continue driving for 500 metres. Wat Bang O will be found on the right.