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Tuesday, 7 June 2011

Suphanburi Travel Guide


Suphan Buri Tower Rising up to 123.25 meters in the middle of a public park in the heart of Suphan Buri, the tower offers a panoramic view of the provincial town with exhibition center and souvenir shops inside.

Wat Pa Lelai This is a very old monastery located on the west bank of Suphan River, two kilometers from the bank. It is generally called by the villagers as "Wat Pa". The Vihara houses a Buddha image in the attitude of leading a jungle life named "Luang Pho To". The image, highly revered by the people, was formerly in the attitude of giving the first preaching sermon but was changed to be in the present attitude when it was renovated. Every year there are two worshipping fairs falling on the 5th to the 9th waxing moon days of the 5th and the 12th lunar months. 

Don Chedi Monument This monument is located in the vicinity of Tambon Don Chedi, Amphoe Si Prachan, 31 kilometers 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 single hand elephant back combat. Found in 1913 in mined condition, only the base part can be seen. It was renovated having a new pagoda to cover the original one in the year 1952 by the government. 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 days and seven nights commences on the 25th of January which is regarded as Royal Thai Armed Forces Day. The celebrations include historic shows, folk entertainment and shops selling all kinds of merchandise and service.




Wat Phai Rong Wua This monastery was built in the present era and is located in the vicinity of Tambon Bang Tathen on the bank of Khlong Phraya Banlue, Amphoe Song Phi Nong. It houses the largest metal cast Buddha image of the world called "Phra Phutta Khodom" which has a lap width of 10 meters and a height of 26 meters. There is various construction concerning Buddhism, such as, the Three season Palace of Prince Sitthattha, places of gaining enlightenment, giving the first preaching sermon, and Nivarna (passing away stage), the hell being community, etc. The monastery is reached by Highway No. 321 to Amphoe Song Phi Nong with right turn to Wat Phai Hong Wua; or take a boat trip from Tha Chang Landing, Bangkok, every Sunday at 07.00 hours.


 Buffalo Villages  features the rural lifestyle in the central region such as Thai farmer villages, rice-threshing ground water, buffalo ranch, traditional Thai houses on stilts.
Krasiao Dam  This country’s longest earthen dam is built on Krasiao Stream in Tambon Dan Chang. Its reservoir, with maximum water storage of 240 million cubic metres, is also a major fish-breeding site.

Wat Khao Di Salak  It houses quite a special Buddha’s footprint, a bas-relief footprint carved out of red sandstone. Archaeologists presumed that the footprint is an art object of the Dvaravati style, dating back to 9th -11th century. Furthermore, Buddha images and artefacts were discovered from a rock cavity.


  
Bueng Chawak  This natural freshwater lake covers a huge area of over 2,700 rai (1,080 acres). The lake was declared a wildlife sanctuary area in 1983 and by its great variety of flora and fauna, the government registered Bueng Chawak as an important wetland under the Ramsar Convention. 





Old Sam Chuk Market along Tha-Chin River Old Sam Chuk Market along Tha-Chin River : This Chinese community and old-fashioned market with wooden shop houses remain in Thai original style a century ago. Just a hundred kilometres away from Bangkok, Suphan Buri is an ancient town rich in natural and historical heritage. The province was once an important border town involving battles and important wars during the period of the Ayutthaya kingdom. So, today, travelling around the province is like drifting through historical novels. Historical evidence leads you to travel to the past such as Don Chedi Monument, Wat Khao Khuen whose abbot played a signifcant role in Thai history, U Thong National Museum, etc. Furthermore, various natural wonders such as Phu Toei National Park, Bueng Chawak Aquarium, as well as the famous local-style cake Sali Suphan always impress visitors. Suphan Buri occupies a total area of 5,358 square kilometres and is administratively divided into 10 districts (Amphoes); Mueang Suphan Buri, Doem Bang Nang Buat, Bang Pla Ma, Si Prachan, Song Phi Nong, Sam Chuk, U Thong, Don Chedi, Dan Chang and Nong Ya Sai.

City Pillar Shrine This is shrine is located on the west bank of Suphan River (Tha Chin River) half a kilometer 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. This Chao Pho Lak Muang Shrine is highly revered by the inhabitants.