Thailand Guidebook > Provinces > Central Thailand

Suphan Buri is an ancient town rich in culture and historical temples. It is located on the bank of the Tha Chin River, sometimes called the Suphan Buri River by its people. Suphan Buri once was an important border town involved in battles and wars during the Ayutthaya period.

Suphan Buri is located some 169 kms. from Bangkok along Highway No. 340. It occupies an area of 5,358 square kilometers.

Suphan Buri is administratively divided into 10 districts: Muang Suphan Buri, Domedang Nangbuat, Bang Pli Ma, Si Prachan, Song Pli Nong, Sam Chuk, U Thang, Don Chedi, Dan Chang and Nong Yasai. Book your hotel in Suphan Buri before you leave home and save money! If you have already visited this Central province, please share your highlights with other visitors to Thailand Guidebook.

City Pillar Shrine This is located on the west bank of the Suphan Buri River. Originally it was built in Thai style architecture but later altered to a Chinese pavilion design. The shrine houses statues of the god Vishnu carved out of green stone.

Thai Rice Farmers Museum This is located on Phraphanwasa Road in front of the city hall. Opened in August 1994 and dedicated to the history and study of rice farming, exhibit include tools of the trade, the many rites surrounding it, and the historical role of royalty in rice farming.

Wat Sanam Chai This is an abandoned temple on the east bank of the Suphan Buri River in the town. Only ruins of a large pagoda are left to be seen. lt is estimated that its height should be 70-80 metres if it were in perfect shape. After the excavation, some human relics were found, and it was assumed that they belong to warriors who died on the battlefield in ancient times.

Wat Suwannaphum This temple of the early Ayutthaya period is located opposite the City Hall. There is a museum which stores ancient artifacts such as bowls and cups, vases, Buddha images of various periods, clocks and weapons.

Suphan Buri Tower Rising up to 123 metres in the middle of a public park in the heart of Siphan Buri, the tower offers a panoramic view of the provincial town with an exhibition centre and souvenir shops inside.

Wat Pa Lelai This a very old temple located on the west bank of the river on Malaimaen Road in the town. It is believed to have been built some 800 years ago when Span Buri was a prosperous community. A huge sitting Buddha image named "Luang Pho To" 23 metres in height, is enshrined in the main chapel. The image was originally situated in the open area and was later covered by the chapel. Worship fairs celebrating the image are held twice a year in April and November. In addition, an old Thai style house called "Chum Khun Chang" has been built in the temple compound. The design of the construction has followed the description in "Khun Chang-Khun Phan", a classic Thai poem which is a work of Sunthon Phu, the greatest poet of Thailand during the early Bangkok period.

Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat This temple is at Tambon Rua Yai on the west bank of the Suphan Buri river in the town. Locally called Wat Phrathat, it was constructed during the early Ayutthaya period, over 600 years ago, and houses a large U-Thong style pagoda with Lord Buddha's relics.

Wat Phra Rup This temple is located on Khun Chang Road on the west bank of the Tha Chin river opposite the town's market. Also built during the early Ayutthaya period, the temple houses a 13-metre long reclining Buddha image called by the villagers 'Nen Kaeo" with the most beatific face among all other statues of the same period. There is also Lord Buddha's footprint made of wood, the only one existing in Thailand.

Wat Khae This old temple is mentioned in the Khun Chang-Khun Phaen literature. It houses a very old gigantic tamarind tree and ancient Thai style houses called "Khum Khun Phaen". The temple is 2 kms. beyond Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat.

Wat Phra Non This is a popular attraction where visitors come to pay homage to a reclining Buddha image and also feed a large shoal of fish in the river by the temple.

Western Handicraft Promotion Centre This is located at Tambon Don Kamyam on Malaiman Road about 8 kms. from Amphoe U-Thong. it has been established to promote the support of cottage and handicraft industries in Suphan Buri and other nearby provinces in the western region. Many fine handicrafts are on display and on sale.

Tha Sadet Bird Sanctuary This is 15 kms from the town along the Suphan Buri-Don Route (Highway No. 322) Some birds can be viewed during the day time while a tremendous number of birds such as open-billed stork, heron, comorants, painted stork, night heron, and white ibises can be seen in the evening when they return home.

Don Chedi Monument This is located at Amphoe Don Chedi, 31 kms. 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 singlehanded elephant back combat in 1592. A cast statue of King Naresuan the Great mounting the elephant's neck was placed in front of the pagoda.

U-Thong Ancient Town About 30 kms. to the east of the town near the Chorakhe Sam Phan River. U-Thong was once a prosperous town during the Dvaravati period before Ayutthaya was founded as the capital in 1347. The U-Thong National Museum in the U-Thong district exhibits artifacts and archaeological materials, such as tools, utensils, and Buddha images found from excavations and shows the development of communities settled in Suphan Buri in different periods.

Wat Phai Rong Wua This temple is located at Tambon Bang Ta Then, Amphoe Song Phi Nong, 43 kms. from the town on the way to Bangkok. It houses the largest metal cast Buddha image of the world called "Phra Phutthakhodom", which has a lap width of 10 metres and a height of 26 metres.

Don Chedi Memorial Fair This annual fair is held for 7 days to commemorate the historic event at Don Chedi in 1592 that led to the liberation of the kingdom from foreign occupation. The celebration commences on the 25th of January which is regarded as the Royal Thai Armed Forces Day, with historical exhibitions and outdoor entertainment.

Local Products:

Suphan Buri abounds in freshwater fish. Restaurants scattered in and outside the town mostly offer delicious fish menus. Other quality food products include "Khanom Sali", sweet and soft cakes made from egg and flour, which can be bought in many shops in the town, canned truffle in syrup at Amphoe Siprachan and preserved mushrooms at Amphoe Deombang Nangbaut.

At Ban Retsadon Bamrung of Amphoe Don Chedi, wickerwork from water hyacinths is made into trays, baskets, purses, hats and cages, some of which are produced for export.

COPYRIGHT: Information on this page is used with permission from the Tourist Authority of Thailand. Additional information from brochures produced locally and notes made by Panrit Daoruang and Richard Barrow. All photographs on this web site are the property of Panrit Daoruang.