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NAKHON PATHOM PROVINCE
Nakhon
Pathom is a very old city which has been a centre of the Dvaravati civilisation.
Over 2,000 years ago, a Buddhism missionary from lndia was sent to introduce
Buddhism and its philosophy to a land called Suwannaphum, which had
Nakhon Pathom as its capital. Phra Pathom Chedi was the important structure
of the kingdom. The prosperous city was abandoned in the 12th century.
A new community settled down after the renovation of Phra Pathom Chedi
was completed in the reign of King Rama V of Bangkok period.
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Nakhon Pathom is 56 kilometres
west of Bangkok. It is administratively divided into 6 districts
(Amphoes): Muang Nakon Pathom, Nakhon Chaisi, Sam Phran, Bang
Len, Kampheang Saen, Don Tum, and 1 sub-district: King Amphoe
Phutthamonthon.
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On coming toward the city, the first glimpse of the towering
Phra Pathom Chedi is overpowering. lt is one of the largest
pagodas in the world and in Thailand, by far the most holy
of all Buddhist structures. The original pagoda was constructed
more than 2,000 years ago in the stupa design of an upside
down bowl shape.
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This market is the home of a fascinating old riverside community in Nakhon Chaisi. Its people have hardly changed with time, preferring to maintain many of the old ways of the Thai countryside which cannot be seen anywhere else. The entrance to the market is on the way to Wat Rai Khin. A variety of local food is available.
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This palace, located 2 kms. west of Phra Pathom Chedi,
was constructed by the command of King Rama VI in the year
1907 when he was the Crown Prince. The compound occupies
an area of 355 acres and houses a group of throne halls
and pavilions with an elegant and unusual mixture of classical
French, English Tudor and traditional Thai architecture.
Most buildings are now used as government offices. The two
buildings opened as attractions are Phra Tamnak Chali Mongkhon
At, a Western style building with a statue of "Ya-Le"
- the king's pet dog and Phra Tamnak Mari Ratchabanlang
where King Rama VI's personal utensils, royal photographs,
and writings are exhibited. Nearby a Thai-style house called
"Tamnak Thap Khwan" once served as King Rama VI's
temporary residence.
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This popular tourist attraction is in the area of Amphoe
Sam Phran, 32 kilometres west of Bangkok. It boasts large,
beautiful and well maintained gardens with Thai-style houses
on the bank of the Tha Chin River. An attractive Thai cultural
show commences at 3.00 p.m. daily. The show includes Thai
folk dance, Thai boxing, sword fighting and an elephant
show. Call 295-3261-4 for further information.
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This is an ancient town that is worth visiting. It
is located at Mu 5, Tambon Thung Kwang. The ancient town dates back to
the Dvaravati period and is believed be as old as Muang Nakhon Chaisi,
but is smaller in size. Situated 24 Kms. north of Nakhon Pathom town
on Malaiman road, it can be reached by car. At present, it is used as
a Boy Scout’s camp. The old town is believed to have been constructed
by Nakhon Chaisi’s former rulers to control a trading route along
canals and rivers to promote the town into a seaport-trading centre.
The development as well as the deterioration of the two towns must have
been almost at the same time. The interesting attractions of Ancient
City of Kamphaeng Saen include unchanged ditches and earth dikes
surrounding the ditches. Within the Ancient City area, there are small
earthern mounds, ponds, and large trees that are homes to various kinds
of birds.
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This is located approximately 1 km. before the Rose
Garden. The farm consists of a crocodile nourishing pond
in which live thousands of crocodiles, wildlife compounds,
restaurants and souvenir shops. Crocodile- wrestling shows,
magic shows and elephant theme shows are performed 2 times
daily at 12.45 and 2.20 p.m. On weekends and official holidays,
an additional show commences at 10.30 a.m. Call 284-1873,
284-0273 for more information.
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Located at Km.31 of Boromarajajonani Road, the museum
houses life-like sculptures created by a group of Thai artists.
These breathtaking human figures with various characteristics
and the replicas of important people are displayed in many
sections such as the Great Buddhist Monks, Former Kings
of Chakri Dynasty, and One Side of Thai Life. The museum
is open to the public from 9.00 a.m.- 5.30 p.m. Call (034)
332607 for more information.
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This is an important religious site built by the government
and the people to commemorate the 2500th year of the existence
of the Buddha. Accessible by Puttha-Monthon lV Road, it
occupies a large area with beautiful landscape and contains
many interesting structures. A huge standing Buddha image
cast in bronze gold measuring 15.8 metres marks the centre
of the area. It is surrounded by Four commemorative sites
concerning Lord Buddha's birth, enlightenment, the first
preaching sermon, and Nirvana. Other interesting places
include a Buddhist museum, a hall keeping marble Pali canon
and meditation halls.
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This temple is located on the bank of the Nakhon Chaisi
River in the vicinity of Amphoe Sam Phran. Luang Pho Wat
Rai Khing, the principal Buddha image of the temple, is
highly revered by Nakhon Pathom people. An annual worship
fair is held in April. This temple is also renowned for
its natural fish sanctuary which is the habitat of hundreds
of thousands of fish including big catfish which can weigh
up to 10 kilogrammes.
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From the pier near the Sam Phran District Office, a
long-tail boat takes visitors along the Nakhon Chaisi River,
Khlong (Canal) Bang Chang and Khlong Chinda. Besides the
pleasant rural scenery, visitors can enjoy walking around
fruit orchards, orchid farms and a house where Thai sweets
are daily made. The trip takes 2-3 hours and it should start
in the morning.
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Another historical site located in Wat Phra Padhone
Chedi, Tambon Phra Padhone. It is located 2 Kms. to the east of
Phra Pathom Chedi down Petchakasem Road. The former shape of Phra
Padhone Chedi was an upside down bell like other Chedi that was built
in Dvaravati period. As Wat Phra Padhone Chedi is located in the
middle of the ancient city of Nakhon Chaisi thus several artefacts were
discovered during excavations. Some of the discovered items include
Buddha images, heads of Buddha images and Buddha images in terra cotta,
as well as a bronze figure of a garuda gripping naga under it’s claws,
which is the official symbol of King Rama VI.
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This monastery is a short distance away from the Nakhon Pathom Railway Station. Within the precincts is a large mole-hill believed to be the base of a large ancient monument about the same age as Phra Pathom Chedi. The monastery was built during the reign of King Rama V (1868-1890).
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It is located to the east and not far from Wat Phra
Pathom Chedi. At present, it houses the Nakhon Pathom Municipality.
Prince Damrong Rachanuphab mentioned the reason for building this
palace in the book “Tamnaan Wang Gao” (or Tales of the Old Palaces)
that during the renovation of Phra Pathom Chedi, it was inconvenient to
come and go from Bangkok to Nakhon Pathom within a day, thus staying
overnight was obligatory. Under the royal command of King Rama IV, the
palace was built near the Phra Pathom Chedi, similar in concept to
those palaces in the Ayutthaya period whereby the King commanded that a
palace be built on the perimeter of the temple housing the Phra
Buddhabat (Buddha’s Foot Print). The palace was given the name “Phra
Nakhon Pathom” and the canals of Mahasawas and Chedi Bucha were dug to
facilitate commuting by boat between Bangkok and Nakhon Pathom.
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It is situated in front of Lampaya temple, on the
Tha Cheen River. The floating market was initiated by the Tambon
Lampaya Cultural Council and Lampaya temple. It is a centre of trade
for fruits and vegetables as well as agricultural produces including
rattan ware, woven cotton, dyed cotton, and inexpensive food. Local
food like noodles with beef, Thai desserts, and steamed curried fish
patty, are sold by local vendors who do their trade in their boats. In
front of the temple is another haven for the various species of fish
including big catfish-like fresh water fishes, black ear, and giant
gourami. The cruise services along Tha Cheen River are also
available.
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Neun Phra or Neun Yai Hom is located in Tambon Don Yai Hom. Take the
Petchakasem Road from Nakhon Pathom heading into Bangkok for about 5
Kms., you will arrive at a T-intersection, turn right onto Settakit 2
Road (Ban Paew-Don Yai Hom Road) and proceed for about 9 Kms., Neun Yai
Hom is on your left and another 150 metres into a side road, located in
the middle of the rice fields. Amphoe Ban Paew is an ancient site.
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