Nonthaburi
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Nonthaburi General Information
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.
When King Rama IV ascended to the throne, he commanded that a bell shaped Chedi be built to cover the former Chedi. The surrounding area was also renovated and improved. He also commanded that a water canal be dug to facilitate commuting, which was called Chedi Bucha canal. During the reign of King Rama V, the construction of railways to the south began, at that time Nakhon Pathom was still a heavily forested area. King Rama V also commanded that the town be relocated from Tambon Thana, Amphoe Nakhon Chaisi, to the Phra Pathom Chedi area as it used to be. Nakhon Pathom has been there ever since.
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.
Nonthaburi Festival Information
- Giving Offerings to 108 Monks Festival
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
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.
- Nonthaburi Fruits Fair
Nonthaburi Fruits Fair is an annual fair held during April-June to celebrate the abundance of such local fruits as durian, mangosteen, mango, and star fruit. It is held beside the dam in front of the old city hall in Muang district. Ornamental flowers are also available.
- The Mon Songkran
The Mon Songkran is held for one week after April 13th. The event features the Mon procession and entertainment. It is held around Pak Kret district office, Ko Kret.
Nonthaburi Attactions Information
- Wat Pho Bang O
Wat Pho Bang O is a charming old temple dating from the Ayutthaya period that is accessible via a 200-metre walk from the temples pier. It is in a dilapidated condition, but is being renovated by the Fine Arts Department. During the reign of King Rama III, Prince Seni Borirak (the founder of the Seniwong family) renovated the temple. The chapel that shares a similar style with the Temple of the Emerald Buddha has pillars which point to the same direction in order to maintain the balance. The upper part of the chapel has woodcarving with Chinese patterns. The sandstone temple boundary markers are located around the chapel and every corner of the chapel is surrounded by pagodas. The door frames are decorated with beautiful sculptures that are made from sugarcane cement.
- Wat Suan Kaeo
Wat Suan Kaeo is a Buddhism diffusion centre. An innovative monk named Phra Phisal Dhamma Phati or Phra Phayom Kanlayano has initiated several projects for the Suan Kaeo Foundation. The Foundation aims to upgrade living standards of the poor and to develop society. Successful projects include the Rom Pho Kaeo, the shelter for the elderly, the supermarket for the poor, and the Suan Kaeo nursery projects.
- Wat Amphawan
Wat Amphawan from the late Ayutthaya period was formerly called Wat Bang Muang. The most striking feature is a wooden scripture hall in the middle of a pond. This most complete example of Thai architecture has 2 rooms. Some of the features of the hall are wooden bars, a two-tiered roof covered with earthen tiles and woodcarving with exquisite designs.
The entrance door is primed with gold leaves, the mullion is crafted into flowers and gourds, above the doors are birds on each side, and beyond them the radiant sun and moon are depicted. At the rear, a tray on a pedestal and wooden Buddha images are housed.
- Anthropology Museum
is the first natural history museum of Thailand and was built in 1961. It is located behind the former City Hall and features exhibits on the evolution of plants, animals, human beings, and the earth. Artifacts include Buddha images as well as antique porcelains. The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 08.30 to 16.30. It is closed on Sunday, Monday, and public holidays. Admission is free.
- The Institute of Thai Traditional Medicine
The Institute of Thai Traditional Medicine (ITTM) was legally in the Office of Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Health located in Tiwanont Road, Amphoe Muang, Nonthaburi. ITTM bringing to develop and promote Thai traditional medicine and herbs more quality, standard, integrating into the national health care service system and alternative health for people taking care their health.
- Wat Chomphuwek
Wat Chomphuwek is in Tambon Tha Sai on Sanambin Nam-Nonthaburi road. The temple was built in 1757 in the late Ayutthaya period by the Mon. The attractively old chapel features mural paintings of Lord Buddha's life as well as two Sukhothai standing Buddha images. In addition, there is a Mon pagoda called Phra Mutao built by Mon monks in 1917 and is believed to house holy relics of Lord Buddha.
- Wat Prasat
Wat Prasatwas built in the reign of King Narai the Great (of the late Ayutthaya period). The ubosot possesses sophisticated craftsmanship: the upper part features a divine god riding garuda, the finial is decorated in Mon style while a royal lion is depicted beside the finial. The sampan-shaped ubosot base used no drilling during the construction. The reason behind the unusual shape of the building is that the shape would easily allow cool air to replace heat when it rises.
The mural paintings here from the late Ayutthaya period are the works of advanced artists of the province. They are currently the oldest paintings of Nonthaburi. This temple has correctly preserved buildings and art. It is, therefore, a place of study for both Thais and foreigners. On the education building is a pulpit that is as old as the chapel.
- Khlong Khanom Wan
Khlong Khanom Wan and other canals have homes that specialize in making sweets for sale and demonstrations to tourists.
- Ko Kret
Ko Kret or Kret island in the Chao Phraya River was created from the digging of a canal around a cape of the Chao Phraya River. In 1722, during the reign of King Thaisa of Ayutthaya, the island was called Khlong Lat Kret Noi which means a shortcut to Kret canal. Later, the current diverted, making the canal larger and turning the cape there into an island.
Ko Kret has prospered since the Ayutthaya period as evident from the many temples on the island that are from that period. However, it may have been deserted when the Burmese sacked Ayutthaya. When Ayutthaya was reclaimed, King Taksin the Great relocated the Mon people who found religion here. The Mon people on the island came during the Thon Buri period and during the reign of King Rama II.
Attractions on Ko Kret :
Wat Poramai Yikawat or Wat Pak Ao has many interesting things to see. There is a small castle with a five-tiered roof at the temples landing. It used to house a Mon coffin of a former abbot.
The fascinating convocation hall is decorated with items imported from Italy, a style that was popular during the reign of King Rama V. The king wished to preserve some of the traditional ways and commanded that this temple have prayers in the Mon language. Nowadays this temple is the only one that keeps the Buddhist scripture in this language. The main Buddha image here is in the Man Wichai posture, the work of Prince Praditsathanworakan who also made the Siam Thewathirat Buddha image. King Rama V praised this images beauty because its face seems alive. Another Mon characteristic here is the Mon-style pagoda that is a replica of Phra That Chedi Mutao in Hongsawadi that is highly revered by all Mons and houses the holy relics of Lord Buddha.
The chapel enshrines a reclining Buddha of the late Ayutthaya period that is decorated with striking mural paintings of royal insignias drawn by Prince Prawit Xumsai. Behind the building is a Buddha image of the province called Phra Nonthamunin from the late Ayutthaya period in the meditation posture on a Mon pedestal (Chong Phara) made by local artisans. In front of the building is a marble Buddha image that Sang Sew Sun, a Burmese, presented to King Rama V. The building is open daily during 08.30-16.30 hrs.
The museum exhibits artifacts that include earthen Buddha image, glassware, porcelain, and the Hem in particular. The Hem, a Mon-style coffin, which was made by Colonal Chatwat Ngamniyom, is considered a masterpiece of art. Its superb design and aluminum plate carving have been delicately done. It is believed that the Mons had copied the coffin style of Lord Buddha, which had a straight base, wide top, and narrow sides. The drawing of this coffin is shown in the museum. The Hem usually contains a dry corpse. A monks Hem has a window for onlookers to see the corpse inside.
- Wat Chonprathan Rangsarit
Wat Chonprathan Rangsarit is a peaceful temple located in the vicinity of Tambon Bang Talat, Amphoe Pak Kret on the Nonthaburi-Ha Yaek Pak Kret Road. Its multi-purpose bamboo shade compound is always popular with Buddhists who come to offer food to the monks and listen to the sermons given by the abbot, Phra Thep Wisutthi Methi (Panya Nandha Bhikku).
**Information Reference : tourismthailand.org
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