Fargo Travel, Thailand and Worldwide Hotels Reservations

Uthai Thani is a province abundant in natural resources, such as forests and wildlife. “Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Reserve” here was proclaimed a Nautral World Heritage Site on 13 December 1991. The reserve has jungles, forests, plains, many streams, and most importantly, anumber of rare and endangered animals.

Due to the verdant nature of the area, Uthai Thani is a province with unspoiled natural tourist destinations that are of interest to tourist everywhere. Furthermore, visitors can see the different lifestyles of locals, such as the life of raft residents on Sakae Krang River, a waterway that aided the birth of the province and which has been a lifeline for its people since ancient times. It is also where provincial trading has flourished. Life revolving around the river eventually grew from a community into the major province that it is today.

The most striking indication of the bond between the plople and the river since the old days is that in 1906, when King Rama V visited northern provinces and stayed in Sakae Krang village, the monk Phra Khru Uthai Tham Nithet (Chan) built 2 twin rafts to receive the king. This clearly showed the importance of the river and the lifestyle of the people living off it in that period.

In addition, at the end of the Buddhist Lent, Buddhists from all directions congregate in the province for a major merit-making tradition called Tak Bat Thewo at the foot of Khao Sakae Krang at Wat Sangkat Rattana Khiri. This festival has been held in Uthai Thani since ancient times.

Uthai Thani is located in the lower part of northern Thailand. Most of the province consists of forests and high mountains. It has a total area of 6,730 square kilometres. It is divided in to 8 Amphoe (districts), as follows:

1. Amphoe Muang Uthai Thani
2. Amphoe Lan Sak 58 kilometres from the city
3. Amphoe Nong Kha Yang 11 kilometres from the city
4. Amphoe Nong Chang 21 kilometres from the city
5. Amphoe Thap Than 16 kilometres from the city
6. Amphoe Ban Rai 79 kilometres from the city
7. Amphoe Sawang Arom 30 kilometres from the city
8. Amphoe Huai Khot 51 kilometres from the city

Distances from Amphoe Mueang to nearby province
1. Chai Nat 42 kilometres
2. Nakhon Sawan 50 kilometres
3. Lop Buri 111 kilometres

Car
a) From Bangkok, take Highway No. 32, passing Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, ang Thong, Sing Buri, and Chai Nat, then turn left at Tha Nam Oi at Km.206. From there, cross the bridge spanning the Chao Phraya River and turn left onto Road No. 333 for 16 km. The total distance is around 222 kilometres.

b) From Bangkok, take Highway No. 32 pass Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, then turn left across the bridge to Ang Thong. Go through Sing Buri, Amphoe Sapphraya, Chao Phraya Dam, Amphoe Wat Sing, Wat Tha Sung, and into Uthai Thani Market. The total distance is about 283 kilometres.

c) From Bangkok, take Road No. 340 past Suphan Buri, turn left onto Road No. 357, then right onto No. 322 past Amphoe Don Chedi. From there, turn right onto Road No. 3264 to Ban Sa Krachom. Then turn right onto Road No. 333 to Ban Rai intersection and another right to Amphoe Mueang. The total distance is about 302 kilometres.

Bus
There are daily regular and air-conditioned Bangkok – Uthai Thani buses during 05.00-16.00 hrs. For more information, please contact the Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit), Tel: 0 2936 2852-66, and Uthai Thani Bus Terminal, tel 0 5651 1914.

Attractions:
Wat Sangkat Rattanakhiri, at the foot of the Sakaekrang Hill at the end of Tha Chang Road, houses a large, Sukhothai-style, bronze Buddha statue in the Mara Vichaya posture, believed to have been installed at the temple since the reign of King Rama 1. Inside the head of the statue is enshrined a Holy Relic. The head part and the rest of the body are from different statues. It is believed that they were attached together during a restoration before being brought to Uthai Thani. The statue is called Phra Phutthamongkhon Saksit.

From the foot of the hill near the provincial sport stadium is a road leading up to the hilltop, a distance of 4 kilometres by car. Visitors can also walk up the steps from the temple compound. From the hilltop can be seen a panoramic view of the town. It is also where a replica of the Holy Footprint is installed. A statue of the father of Rama I is also located here. The view of the site is at its best during April when the local Suphanika flowers are in full bloom painting the entire hill a bright yellow.

Located on Sunthon Sathit Road in town is Wat Mani Sathit Kapitharam built in the Rattanakosin Era. The 16 meter-tall Prang with five turrets was erected in 1909 and houses a Holy Relic. Water from a pond in the temple compound was used as ceremonial water in the coronation of both King Rama Vl and VII.

Built during early Rattanakosin Era, Wat Thammakhosok is located on Si Uthai Road in town. It used to be the site for the Oath of Allegiance Rituals for provincial officials as well as the execution site for convicts in the past. In the Ubosot are the finest wall murals of the town which were made by the late Ayutthaya period artists. They portray Buddhist history and likeness of celestial spirits alternating with religious paraphernalia which are the handiworks of later painters.

Within the Wihan are housed about twenty ancient Buddha statues. Over the windows outside the building are plaster relieves depicting the epic Ramayana. The door panels are wood carved in floral designs. The small Kuti (monk's quarters) next to the bot represents the delicate craftsmanship of the early Rattanakosin Period.

Mae Nam Sakaekrang is a river flowing past Uthai. Moored against both banks are scores of boat-houses reflecting the simple and serene way of living of the local people. The houses are erected over bamboo rafts. Most of the inhabitants are fishermen and traps and creels containing various types of fish can be seen tied to the rafts. Visitors may hire boats to cruise along the river starting from the landing at the municipal market.

Popularly referred to as Wat Bot, Wat Ubosatharam is and old temple on the east bank of the Sakaekrang. Many wall murals in the style of early Rattanakosin period can be found inside the Ubosot and the Wihan, mostly depicting Buddhist Chronicles. Over the outside wall of the Wihan are portrayals of Buddha's funeral and of the local way of life. Other interesting antiquities include Sema (stones marking the limit of the Ubosot), cabinets with Thai patterns containing scriptures, and the pearl-inlaid cover of begging bowl given by Rama V. There are also several buildings in old architectural style worth seeing.

The Uthai Thani Technology, Science and Environment Centre is located in a 10 -year-old wooden building at Benchama Rachuthit School. Exhibitions are mounted on the history, arts and culture of the province. Other exhibits include ancient tools and equipment and local woven products. Open 9.00 a.m. - 4.30 p.m. on official working days. For further information call (056) 511511, 511153

Wat Chantharam or Wat Tha Sung is located in Tambon Nam Sum some five kilometres from town on the way to Manorom district. Originally built since the Ayutthaya Period, there are today many contemporary structures all built with great care and splendid craftsmanship. The Ubosot itself has been re-built with magnificent exteriors.

The Uthai Thani Old Town, at Nong Chang district, had in fact been the site of the original town continuously from the Sukhothai through to the Ayutthaya periods. The community centre did not move to the present site on the Sakaekrang until early Rattanakosin with the original town downgrading to a district. Remains of the old town can still be found at Wat Kuti but the surrounding areas are now open field. The temple still in good condition today is Wat Chaeng. Its Prang, or pagoda, first built in 1538, was renovated in 1915 at he same time as the old Ayutthaya-style Ubosot. The relieves on the Prang and the lintels over the Ubosot are of the same type. Another temple is Wat Hua Muang which still has the ruins of old bot of the Ayutthaya-style and of small, ancient Chedi.

Wat Nong Phluang built in 1857 at Nong Kha Yang district features a Ubosot decorated with lintels in plaster reliefs, old glazed pottery and Sema (stones marking limits of the Ubosot).

Wat Nong Khun Chat, located in Nong Chang district, was built during the current Rattanakosin Period. Inside the Ubosot are wall murals painted by artists during the reign of King Rama V depicting Buddhism-related chronicles. Significantly, there are portrayals of individuals wearing Western-style hats with brims.

Wat Thap Than, 19 kilometres from town and just one kilometre before the Thap Than district office, features beautiful door panels of the Rattanakosin style. Another pair of panels are of design by local craftsmen.

The Thung Yai Naresuan / Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary covers area in three provinces in Uthai Thani, Kanchanaburi and Tak totaling 5,775 square kilometres. The largest continuous tract of wildlife sanctuary in Thailand and in Southeast Asia as well, it features a wide range of natural diversity with both virgin and deciduous forests alternating with grasslands. It is the habitat of diverse plantlife and wildlife, including some near-extinct species. Because of its richness in natural diversity, Thung Yai Naresuan / Huai Kha Khaeng has been registered by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Site. As it is a preservation area at least a 15-day advance application is required for study visits and staying overnight. The application is to be submitted to the director of the wildlife preservation unit of the Forestry Department in Bangkok. Areas suitable for study tours are sites around the park office which cover the Khao Hin Daeng Nature Study Route running around the eastern perimeter. To reach the site, proceed from the provincial town along Highway #333 passing Nong Chang district, turning right onto Highway No. 3438 going past Lan Sak district. Then take the turn into Thap Sa-lao Dam at which there is a laterite access road. Continue on for a distance of 11 kilometres to reach the site. Campers must provide their own equipment and provisions and must strictly observe the regulations of the Sanctuary.

Some 60 kilometres from town, or just 4 kilometres from the district town of Lan Sak is Khao Phraya Phai Rua. Just 150 metres on foot uphill is the mouth of a cave made up of several small connecting caverns containing fascinating stalagmites and stalactites. The hill itself takes the shape of a Chinese junk when viewed from a distance.

About 12 kilometres from Lan Sak on Highway No. 3438 is Thap Sa-lao Dam. The man-made lake above the dam offers scenic views with overlapping mountains making a majestic backdrop.

Khao Pla Ra is a limestone mountain range to the west of the provincial town in Nong Chang district. Because of the natural water source which attracts wildlife, the area has been declared a no-hunting zone. Over the western cliffs are pre-historic paintings in red colour depicting human and animals, reflecting the social lifestyle of ancient times. To reach the site, go on the Nong Chang-Lan Sak road for about 22 kilometres. Then take a left turn and continue for another 8 kilometres. From there another two-hour walk will take visitors to the 600-metre peak.

A 2-kilometre walk from Khao Pla Ra is Hup Pa Tad with caves. Around the valley are groves of an ancient plantlife.

Tham Khao Khong Chai is a small cave in the 350-metre hill in Lan Sak district. It is believed that prehistoric men lived around the site, judging from the remains of stone tools and pottery. Within the cave are large flocks of bats. Hundreds of them can be seen hunting for food in the late afternoon and early evening. The cave is located some 5 kilometres from Lan Sak district.

The Cyber Waterfall is 86 kilometres from town in Huai Khot district. The fall is fed by the brooks and streams flowing down from the high mountains in the Huai Kha Khaeng wildlife sanctuary. The area is surrounded with lush green forests.

A small hill, Khao Tham Taphap is located in Tambon Wang Hin of Ban Rai district 56 kilometres from town on Highway No. 333. There is a right turn leading to the cave, a further distance of three kilometres. The entire cave complex is made up of several caverns. All beautifully adorned by stalagmites and stalactites. In the tunnel behind the cave is a snapping turtle-like rock formation, hence the name Tham Taphap. Pre-historic tools have also been found around the site.

Local Products:
Mostly are fruit and vegetable preserves. Turnips are widely grown on Ko Thepo, a large isle in the Sakaekrang river which are preserved to be exported. Other popular items include the crispy Khao Kung Krop, made from rice and shrimps mixed together and deep-fried. Leading items in restaurant menu are mainly freshwater fish caught from the river. Pomelo is also widely grown on Thepho isle.

Local woven materials are made mainly around Ban Khok Mo, Thap Than district and the Thai-Laotian village in Ban Rai, Lan Sak and Sawang Arom districts.

Products made from bamboo and water hyacinth can be hand-bags, baskets and other accessories, all of which are well-made and attractive.

Major Events:
Tak Bat Thewo Fair at Wat Sangkat Rattanakhiri is the most important event held around October. Hundreds of monks residing within the Muang district walk down the steps from the top of Khao Sakaekrang to accept food offerings from Buddhist devotees who gather in the ground of the temple. The fair is based on the traditional belief that the Lord Buddha on one occasion returned to earth from heaven.

Discount Thailand hotels reservations. Cheap Bangkok hotel rates, Pattaya hotels, Phuket hotels, Krabi hotels, Koh Samui hotels resorts online booking.