22 March,2010 (Mon)  


 

 
Ang Thong

This small province located on the bank of the Chao Phraya River covers an area of 968 square kilometres. It is a low basin of sandy soil having much rain during the rainy season. The provincial capital is l08 kilometres north of Bangkok.

Major Attractions

  • Wat Chiyo Worawihan

    • This temple, located 18 kilometres from Amphoe Muang, houses Phra Maha Phuttha Phim, which is in the attitude of meditation. It was built by Somdet Phra Phutthachan (To Phrom Rangsi) of Wat Rakhang during the reign of King Rama IV. This Buddha image is highly respected by inhabitants of Ang Thong Province and neighbouring provinces, especially by those who collect small Buddha images.

  • Reclining Buddha of Wat Khun Inthapramun

    • This 50-metre reclining Buddha is housed in Wat Khun Inthapramun, Amphoe Pho Thong, 1l kilometres from the township. The temple is located in the open air of the rice fields having no roof due to the Wihan housing the image being in ruins. In front of this image lies a statue of the man who was a revenue officer. According to the legend, he misappropriated an amount of money to enlarge the image and later was whipped to death.

  • Wat Phra Phuttha Saiyat Pa Mok

    • This is a royal temple (Wora Wihan) located in Amphoe Pa Mok, 18 kilometres from Amphoe Muang. There is a very old 22.58-metre reclining Buddha image. It is found in the royal record that King Naresuan also stopped over to convene his troops and pay homage to this Buddha image prior to leading the army to fight King Maha Uparacha of Burma.

  • Ban Bang Phae Drum Making Village

    • This village is located in the vicinity of Amphoe Pa Mok and accessible by the road passing the Municipal Office, which is parallel to the Yang Mani Irrigation Canal. Drums produced in this village vary from the small souvenir size to the very large temple size.

  • Wat Sa Kaeo

    • This temple, originally named Wat Sa Kaeo and built in l699, is located l5 kilometres from Ayutthaya along Highway 309 (Ayutthaya-Ang Thong route) with a left turn into the temple. Wat Sa Kaeo partly serves as an orphanage for a large number of children. Also situated within the precincts of the temple is 'Samakkhi Samakhan,' a cloth weaving project under royal demand under the Ministry of Industry. Many kinds of cloth are woven here, such as cotton, loincloth, etc.

  • Ban Bang Sadet Miniature Doll Centre under the Royal Patronage of Her Majesty the Queen

    • This is a small village where people manage to improve their standard of living by making miniature dolls as an additional occupation under the royal patronage of Her Majesty the Queen. The dolls are on display at the sermon hall of Wat Tha Sutthawat and also available at Chitralada Shops.

    Major Event

  • City of Rice & Water Bowl Fair

    • Ang Thong celebrates its past and handicrafts with this 5-day fair in late February. Combined with the Red Cross Annual Fair and staged in front of the city hall, the event includes cultural shows, agricultural exhibitions, beauty contests, handicraft sales and folk entertainment.

    Local Products
    Amphoe Pho Thong is a leading centre for woven goods. Quality products made from rattan can be purchased at Bang Plub, Intapramoon, Bang Chao Cha, Bang Rakam, and Ongkarak. Also, this district is famous for wickerware items of the special Dok Phikun design. Various tasty fruits such as pomelo, sapodilla, guava, papaya and durian from orchards in Ang Thong are available in every season. Ang Thong is a rich source of shrimp, fish, etc., which are processed into smoked fish and crisp dried fish. Its agricultural products also include salted eggs with oily red yokes and pounded smoked meat in Amphoe Chaiyo. Dessert is another popular souvenir. Typical Thai desserts with fragrance and tender sweetness are Khanom Keson Lamchiak in Amphoe Wiset Chai Chan and Khanom Kong in Amphoe Muang Ang Thong. Most products are available throughout the province.

    How to Get There Ang Thong can be reached from Ayutthaya by non-airconditioned buses departing from Chaophrom Market in front of Si Samai Hotel. Buses depart every day between 6.30 a.m. and 7.00 p.m. at 40-minute intervals. The one-hour trip costs 20 baht. Air-conditioned coaches regularly leave Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal. The trip takes two hours. Further information can be obtained at (66 2) 936-3666, 537-8055.