11 March,2010 (Thu)  


 

 


Suphan Buri

The province covers an area of 5,358 square kilometres,and the provincial capital is some l60 kilometres from Bangkok. The city is believed to date from the late 800s AD.

Major Attractions

  • Wat SuwannaPhum

  • The temple, also known as Wat Mai, is located oppositeto the City Hall. The main attraction is Pun Punnasiri Museum which stores very interesting artefacts and archaeological materials such as bowls, cups, vases, Buddha images of various periods, clocks, and weapons.

  • Suphan Buri Tower

  • Rising up to 123.25 metres in the middle of the public park in the heart of Suphan Buri, the tower offers a panoramic view of the provlncial town with an exhibition centre and souvenir shops inside. The tower ls open every day. Admission fees from l0.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m. are 30 and 15 baht, and afier 6.00 p.m, 40 and 20 baht for adults and children. respectively. Tel: (66 35) 522-72l, 524-063.

  • Chaloem Phatara Rachini Park

  • This public park. in which Suphan Buri Tower is situated, covers a vast area with botanical gardens ln a Thai design, water world for recreation, playground, waterfalls, and food centre. It is open every day except Mondays, from l0.00 a.m. - 7.00 p.m. on weekdays and from 10.00 a.m. - 8.30 p.m. on weekends and public holidays.

  • City Pillar Shrine

  • This shrine, highly revered by the inhabitants, is located on the west bank of Suphan River half a kilometre from the bridge. The shrine was originally of typical wooden Thai design housing two Vishanu God statues carved out of green stone. It is now in the Chinese pavilion design.

  • Wat Sanam Chai

  • An abandoned temple located in Tambon Sanam Chai, Amphoe Muang, is one ki1ometre from the east bank of the Suphan River. Only ruins of a large pagoda are left. It is estimated that its height should be 70 - 80 metres if it were in perfect shape. Some human skeletofls were found, and it was assumed that they belonged to warriors who died on the battlefield in ancient times, so the name of "Unknown W3rrior Chedi" is given to this pagoda.

  • Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat

  • This ancient temple is located in the vicinity of Tambon Rua Yii, Amphoe Muaflg, on the bank of the Suphan River, 200 - 300 metres from the bridge crossing the river. The main attraction is a 1arge Prang housing the Lord Buddha's relics. It was probably built either during l350-1369 AD or l424-1448 AD.

  • Wat Phra Rup

  • This temple is located on the west bank of the Tha Chin River opposite Suphan Buri provincial market in the vicinity of Amphoe Muang. Its main attractions are a reclining Buddha known as "Nen Kaeo" and the Buddha's footprint made of wood, which is the only one existent in Thailand.

  • The four Sacred Ponds

  • The four ponds named Sa Kaeo, Sa Kha, Sa YOmana,and Sa Ket are located in the vicinity of Amphoe Muang near the Tha Wa River, 14 kilometres from the township area. Water from these four ponds have been utilized for various coronation ceremonies

  • Tha Sadet Bird Sanctuary

  • The saflctuary is accessible by travelling along the road leading through the Highway Division Intersection, turn left and go over a bridge and go straight on to Tambon Tha Sadet where a right turn is made for a distance of l2 kilometres. Some birds can be viewed during the day time while a tremendous number of birds such as open-billed stork, heron, stork, cormorants, painted storks, night heron, and white ibises can be seen in the evening.

  • Don Chedi Monument

  • This monument is located in the vicinity of Tambon Don Chedi, Amphoe Si Prachan, 31 kilometres from the township area. The pagoda was constructed by the royal command of King Naresuan the Great to commemorate his victory against King Maha Uparacha of Burma in singlehand elephant back combat. A cast statue of King Naresuan the Great mounting the elephant's neck was placed in front of the pagoda. An annual fair celebrating the monument for seven nights and days commences on 25 January, which is regarded as Royal Thai Armed forced Day. The celebrations include historic shows, folk entertainment and shops selling all kinds of merchandise and service.

  • Wat Pa Lelai

  • Generally called by the villagers as "Wat Pa," this old temp1e is located on the west bank of Suphan River,two kilometres from the bank. The Vihara houses a Buddha image, in the attitude of leading a jungle life, named "Luang Pho TO". There are two annual worshipping fairs falling on the 5th to the 9th waxing moon of the 5th and the 12th lunar months.

  • Muang U Thong

  • This city, currently located in Amphoe U Thong, is a very old town found in the legend of Ayutthaya. King U Thong led a migration of his subjects running away from cholera at U Thong city to establish a new capital in Ayutthaya in 1347 AD Later in the search for evidence at U Thong City revealed many factors which indicated that this is an old town and established a long time before Ayutthaya. The maina ttraction is the U Thong National Museum which stores artefacts and archaeological materials found from excavations such as tools, utensils and Buddha images displaying human development in the different ages when those people used to reside in this area of Suphan Buri.

  • Wat Mahathat

  • This temple is generally known as "Wat Phrathat Nok" and is located in the vicinity of Tambon Suan Taeng, Amphoe U Thong, l5 kilometres along Malaimaen Road from the township. The main attraction is a Prang of early Ayutthaya design having a good-looking shape.

  • Wat Phai Rong Wua

  • This temple was built in the present era and is located on the bank of Khlong Phraya Banlue, Amphoe Song Phi Nong. It houses "Phril Phutta Khodom," the largest metal cast Buddha image in the world, with a lap width of l0 metres and a height of 26 metres. There are various constructions concerning Buddhism. such as the Three-Season Palace of Prince Siddhartha. place of gaining enlightrnment, givlng the first preaching sermon, and Nirvana(passing away stage ). and the hell being community. The temple is reached either by car (via Highway 32l ) Or by boat leaving Tha Chang Pier, Bangkok, every Sunday at 7.00 a.m.