Nonthaburi
Torben Larsen
the year 1636 King Prasat Thong commanded a canal dug as a short cut
from Ban Talat Khwan to the mouth of Bang Kruai Canal a total
distance of five kilometers.
In the year 1665 King Narai the Great gave a royal command to build a
fortress was demolished during the reign of King Rama III to reuse the
bricks for the construction of Wat Chalerm Phra Kiat. In the
year 1928 King Phra Pok Klao gave a royal command to
relocate the township area to the present site.
Nonthaburi was once again on May 9, 1946. Nonthaburi occupies an area
of 622.3 square kilometers, only 20 kilometers from Bangkok,
and is conveniently accessed by both land and water
transportation. It consists of six Amphoes: Muang, Pak Kret,
Bang Kruai, Bang Yai, Bang Bua Thong and Sai Noi.
Important Tourist Attractions and Places of Interest:
Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat This royal monastery in Tambon Bang Si Muang,
Amphoe Muang, was commanded by King Rama III to be constructed of
bricks from the demolition of a fortress built in the reign
of King Narai the Great; it was dedication to King Rama
III's grandparents and the Princess Mother. There are
several religious buildings in the area.
Inside the main shrine hall(Ubosot) are beautiful mural paintings
while beautiful stucco designs decorated with porcelain on the
gable and door and window frames are seen outside.
Wat Khema Phirataram Also a royal monastery, it is on Phiboon
Songkhram Road, Tambon Suan Yai, Amphoe Muang, two
kilometers from the provincial township area. It was built
in the Ayutthaya period and was renovated in the reigns of
Kings rama II and IV of the Ratanakosin era.
Buddha images of the Ayutthaya period are in the Ubosot, Tamnak Daeng
Building, and Phra Thinang Monthian Hall. Wat Prasat This
monastery is on Bang Kruai-Bua Thong Road in the area of
Tambon Bang Krang, Amphoe Muang. The Ubosot is of Ayutthaya
art having sophisticated craftsmanship. The designs on the
gable of the niche entering the Ubosot and the mural
paintings maintain special characteristics of the Nonthaburi
school of arts which have always been visited by
archaeological students.
Wat Ku Located in the vicinity of Tambon Bang Phut, Amphoe Pak Kret,
four kilometers from the district township area, this monastery was
constructed at the time when the Mon people led by Phraya Cheng
migrated into the Kingdom during the reign of King Taksin of the Thon
Buri era. construction is of Mon architecture having mural
paintings in Mon style.
There is a building constructed to commemorate King Rama V's Queen
Suantha who was drowned by shipwreck; her body was temporarily placed
in the monastery prior to transfer into Bangkok. Wat Paramaiyikawat
This old monastery located in the vicinity of Tambon Ko Kret, Amphoe
Pak Kret is constructed in Mon style architecture.
The main attractions are a large reclining Buddha, mural paintings, a
Mon style marble carved pagoda and the principal image in
the Ubosot. There is a village, on Lo Kret (Kret Island).
where the villagers produce ancient Mon style pottery called
"Kwan Aman".
It is accessible by a ferry from Wat Sanam Nua which is located not
far from the Amphoe Pak Kret Office.
This monastery is located in the vicinity of Tabon Bang
Talat, Amphoe Pak Kren and is in the area of the Royal
Irrigation Department. Even though it is a newly constructed
monastery it is of beautiful style architecture. Its
compound in pleasantly shady and a remarkable place of
studying the Lord Buddha's teachings.
Wat Chomphuwek This monastery is located in the vicinity of Tabon Tha
Sai, Amphoe Munag, on Sanam Bin Nam-Nonthaburi Road. There are
beautiful mural paintings in the Vihara and Ubosot, as well
as the Mon style pagodas. Palmyra A new flower garden
located on the Cao Phraya River bank, amidst an orchard.
Within lie typical Thai houses and a Mon village. To reach
Palmyra one proceeds over the Nonthaburi Bridge passing Wat
Ko Kriang, Wat Bang Tanai, and Wat Tan, arriving at Palmyra.
Another way to get there is to park the vehicle at Pak Kret
Landing or at Wat Ku; then preceed on to Palmyra by a ferry.
It is open every day from 08.00 to 18.00 hours
regards Torben