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Nakhon Sawan | A province in
the Lower North some 240 kilometres from Bangkok, Nakhon Sawan is also
known as Pak Nam Pho, the merging point of the four rivers, Ping, Wang,
Yom and Nan, forming Chao Phraya. Because of its strategic location,
Nakhon Sawan has been a major inland port town and major trading centre
for paddy of the country.
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Nakhon
Sawan is administratively divided in to the following districts:
Muang, Khrok Phra, Chumsaeng, Nong Bua, Banphot Phisai, Takhli,
Tha Tako, Phayuha Khiri, Lat Yao, Phaisali, Tak Fa, Kao Lieo,
Mae Wong, Mae Poen and Chum Ta Bong.
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Bung Boraphet is the largest freshwater swamp in
Thailand. It has an area of around 212 square kilometers. It covers
parts of Amphoe Muang, Amphoe Tha Tako and Amphoe Chum Saeng. In the
past Bung Boraphet was called the northern sea or Chom Bung as there
was an abundance of aquatic animals and plants. According to surveys,
there are still some 148 species of animals and 44 species of plants
here. Rare animals include white-eyed river-martin and tiger perch.
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Chan Sen Ancient City and Chan Sen Museum is in
Mu 2 in Tambon Chan Sen. It is believed that in the Thawarawadi period,
the city was surrounded by a moat with an earth mound. The city had a
square shape but with rounded corners almost like a circle. The moat
was about 20 meters wide. The area is now a waterlogged valley but
traces of the moat can still be seen. The city is about 800 meters
long and 700 meters wide with an area of about 480,000 square meters.
As the part within the moat is higher than that outside, locals call it
Khok Chan Sen.
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Mae Wong National Park is on the Thanon Thong Chai
Mountain Range. The area consists of winding mountains and is the
source of several waterways, including the Mae Wong River and some
parts of Khlung Canal. The waterways flow into the Ping River and the
Chao Phraya River.
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Bo Ya Cave is Hin Kon Village in Tambon Nong Krot,
around 30 kilometers from the city on the San Nakhon Sawan-Lat Yao
road. Another 6-kilometer road leads to Wat Tham Bo Ya (Wat Thep Nimit
Song Tham). A stairway at the foot of the hill leads up to the cave.
The cave itself has 3 sections. The first has a large main Buddha
image, the second further in is a dead end with a pond called Bo Nam
Thip that is believed by locals to be sacred and the third section is
an exit out the other way. Apart from the sacred pond, the cave has
beautiful stalagmites and stalactites.
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The Origin of the Chao Phraya River is the point
where the Ping and Nan rivers converge at Tambon Pak Nam Pho in front
of the dam in the city. Here, one can clearly distinguish the
difference between the two rivers. The Nan River is reddish in color
while the Ping River is somewhat green. They flow to form the Chao
Phraya River, the most important waterway of the country. The Chao
Phraya flows past several provinces before going through Bangkok and
ending into the Gulf of Thailand in Samut Prakan. It is about 370
kilometers long. The best place to view its origin is at the Chao Pho
Thepharak-Chao Mae Thapthim Shrine.
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Wat Woranat Banphot (Khao Kop) is an old temple of
the province on the peak of Khao Kop 185.5 meters above sea level.
There are 2 ways up; a stairway of 439 steps and an asphalt road 3
meters wide. The peak has a replica of Lord Buddhas Footprint and a
pagoda encasing the relic of Lord Buddha built when Sukhothai was the
countrys capital. The temple was praised by the Department of
Religious Affairs as the best development temple of 1966. A nearby
hill is the site of some television relay stations.
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Wat Si Sawan Sangkharam (Wat Thu Nam) is at Tambon
Nakhon Sawan. It is an old temple that was used as the site for
government officials to pledge allegiance to the king. Evidence from
the period remains in the form of spear blades, oars, knives and
swords, a gold Buddha image in the Pathom Thetsana posture, and a
silver Buddha image. The main image in the old convocation hall is
over 100 years old. In 1976, His Majesty the King, Her Majesty the
Queen and their 2 princesses came here to open the new hall. Now there
is also the pagoda built to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of His
Majesty. Wat Si Sawan Sangkharam is regarded as an old temple with
immense historical value.
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Khok Mai Den Ancient City is in Tambon Tha Nam Oi.
The city is quite expansive. Traces of the old city wall remain and an
artifact in the form of a sculpture of the elephant Phaya Chatthan was
discovered here. It is over 1,000 years old. The word Khok Mai Den
refers to a kind of tree. People in the old days called Ban Khok Mai
Den Muang Bon. The city was founded in the Thawarawadi period around
11th-16th Buddhist centuries (457-957 AD). The city is similar to
Nakhon Pathom and is around 250 meters long and 600 meters wide. It is
very much alike the city wall of Nakhon Pathom, Muang Sema of Nakhon
Ratchasima and Muang Phaya Rae of Chon Buri.
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Wat Tham Phon Sawan is in Tambon Lamphayon. An
asphalt road of 105 kilometers from the city leads to the temple. It
is around 10 kilometers from Tak Fa District Office on the Tak Fa-Khok
Samrong road. The temple has a modern three-story pavilion. At the
rear of the temple is Phon Sawan Cave that is divided into 2 sections.
The first section is a small room while the second section is a larger
room with Buddha images and various structures like a replica waterfall
with a stream in the caves center. The cave is cool and cozy and has
electricity and waterworks.
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Buddhists and disciples' group of Rachapatikaram Temple, led by the
deputy abbot Prathepmolee, joined in building the Sri Buddha Kaya Stupa
on top of the Bodhisattva peak in Siriwatanawisut Temple of
Nakhonsawan's Tha Tako district. The structure and artwork of the stupa
is modeled after the Buddha Kaya Stupa in Bihar State of India. It is
approximately 16 x 20 meter wide and 28 meters high, the number 28
representing Lord Buddha.
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Wat Bang Pramung Floating Market is on the bank of
Bang Pramung Canal in front of Wat Bang Pramung, about 14 kilometers
from the city on the Nakhon Sawan-Krok Phra road. Locals will paddle
to the market to sell goods and agricultural produce every weekend
during 07.00-16.00 hrs. In addition, there are other services like
traditional Thai massage, boat tours of Bang Pramung Canal, tours of
orchid farms, and boats and water bicycles for hire. For more
information, please contact Krok Phra District Office at tel.
0-5629-1006.
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Wat Chom Khiri Nat Phrot is on the peak of Khao
Buat Nak between the foot of Dechatiwong Bridge and Chiraprawat Fort.
Legend says that when Burmese troops sacked Ayutthaya for the second
time, they built this temple to show that they also hold the Buddhism
faith. The most interesting objects here are the replica of Lord
Buddhas Footprint and a convocation hall that locals call Bot Thewada
Sang. There is a fair to pay homage and attach gold leaves to the
footprint in November. Boat races are held in conjunction with the
fair.
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Wat Krieng Krai Klang is at Mu 5, Tambon Kriang
Krai, on the bank of Nan River. Inside is a Sukhothai-style bronze
Buddha image in the Man Wichai posture and an old hall over a hundred
years old. There is also a replica of Lord Buddhas Footprint and a
mural of Lord Buddhas life. The area in front of the temple is
inhabited by many monkeys and it is where a crocodile farm can be found.
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Khao No-Khao Kaeo is a limestone mountain that has
Wat Khao Lo at its foot. A stairway leads to the cave at the peak
where a large Buddha image sits in front. When King Rama V visited
here via the Ping River, he stayed overnight on the mountain. The
province later built a monument to commemorate the occasion. There are
numerous monkeys at the foot of the mountain and you can see plenty of
bats that live in the cave flying out to feed in the evening, making a
long black line in the night sky. Khao Kaeo nearby also has a number
of bats flying out at night.
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Wat Bang Mafo is an old temple built in the late
Ayutthaya period. The most striking aspect is the main hall that has
unique doors and windows designed by the monk Luang Pho Sun. Inside is
an image of Rachathipok that was given by the king. The inner walls
have murals of a Buddhist tale, while the hall directly opposite has
murals of the life of Lord Buddha. They are the works of ancient
artisans. The main Buddha image in the Man Wichai posture is strange in
that it also holds a palm-leaf fan. Under the multi-tiered roof is a
lovely replica of Lord Buddhas Footprint. An annual temple fair is
held on the 9th and 10th crescent-moon nights of October.
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Khao Tham Phra is at Mu 8 in Tambon Noen Sala.
Inside are stalactites, stalagmites and Buddha images. During Songkran
Festival locals will take flowers, candles and incense sticks up the
100 steps from the foot of the hill to pay homage to the images. A
great view of Amphoe Krok Phra can be seen from the peak.
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is an old temple built during the reign of
King Rama ll. Under its peaceful and tranquil atmosphere
is a huge collection of old indigenous tools, arms and other
utensils. The temple is located in Ban Nong Klap of Nong
Bua district and can be reached by taking Highway No. 25
(Nong Bua-Chum Saeng).
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or the all night food market, is situated
near the bank of the Ping River in town. Crowds of people
come and enjoy dishes of their choice at the scores of food
stalls offering both main dishes and sweet. One of the largest
such facilities in the country, the market offers delicious
food at very reasonable prices.
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is an urban public park covering an
extensive area with a large pond. It is landscaped with
small gardens.
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