Phratamnak Khamyat
Location : Amphoe Pho Thong
Is located in Tambon Khamyat, 2.5 kilometers west of
Wat Pho Thong on Ayutthaya Pho Thong Road. At present only four walls of
the royal residence remain. The 10x20 meters royal residence, made of
brick and plaster, stands eminent in a paddy field. The artistic beauty
still remains e.g. motifs around the window, front and back balcony, was
painted in red soil and covered with wooden floor.
Location : Amphoe Pho Thong
Is located in Tambon Inthapramun. It is an ancient
temple constructed in the Sukhothai period. Considering the original
line of brick remains, it is estimated to be a large temple. The
largest and longest reclining Buddha in Thailand, 50 meters from the
topknot to the feet, is enshrined here. Originally, the reclining
Buddha image was housed in the wihan, but this temple was on fire and
was left deserted with the Buddha image in the open for centuries. The
image features and size are similar to those of Phranon Chaksi, a
reclining Buddha image in Sing Buri Province. Therefore, it is assumed
to have been constructed in the same period. The image possesses
attractive Buddha features with a serene smiling face attracting
respectfulness and faithfulness from people. Thai kings went to pay
homage to the image e.g. King Borommakot in 1753, King Rama V in 1878
and 1908. The present king came to present the royal Kathin robes in
1973 and again in 1975. Buddhists from all over the country always make
their visits to worship the image.
Moreover, within Wat Khun Inthapramun compound,
there are historical remains of basement, some parts of walls, and
Buddha image in Luangpho Khao wihan. Inside the all-purpose pavilion,
there is a statue of Khun Inthapramun and the skeleton found in the
wihan of the reclining Buddha image in 1998 lying on his face with his
hands and feet tied up. People believe that this skeleton is of Khun
Inthapramun, but some say it is not. According to the legend, Khun
Inthapramun was a revenue officer who secretly embezzled the government
tax to build this reclining Buddha image as a holy object. When the
King asked how he obtained the fund from, Khun Inthapramun did not
reveal the truth because he was afraid that his merit from building the
image would be passed on to the King. He was finally sentenced to
death. And the temple was then called Wat Khun Inthapramun.
Location : Amphoe Sawaengha
Is located in Tambon Ban Phai, 4 kilometers from the north of Sawaeng Ha District and 3 kilometers
from Bang Rachan stockade. At Ban Khu Mueang, archaeologists discovered ruins of an ancient city,
which presumably existed during Thwarawadi period. Its evidence shows a wide ancient moat and
earthen mound, some fragments of pottery, animal bones, beads, and medicine grinding stone.
At present, it is a simple canal without any traces of historical sites.
Location : Amphoe Sawaengha
Is located in Tambon Sriphran. Take Pho Thong
Sawaeng Ha route (Highway No. 3054) Km 21-22. It is
unknown when this ancient temple was built.
Regarding to Luangpu Chaimongkons (from Ayutthaya)
narration, a couple called Mr. Phan and Mrs. Ngoen and
their son, Mr. Krapukthong constructed Wat Ban Phran at
the end of Sukhothai era during 1319-1327. After
that, this temple was deserted and was overspread with
thick weeds and trees for over 100 years. When
hunters set up small village in this area, they helped
renovate this temple. There is a legend saying
that the laterite Buddha image called Luangpho Kraithong
enshrined in this wihan was built by King Sri
Intharathit in Sukhothai and removed into separated
parts for assembly again as the principal Buddha image
in Wat Ban Phran. Since the founder would like to
build his own principal image, he constructed wihan to
house the Buddha image called Luangpho Kraithong.
Krai represents the robe, and shoulder clothes of
Luangpho Kraithong. Some fine days at midnight,
Krai will turn into sparkling light indicating good luck
for those who happen to see. It is believed to be
a sacred one being able to protect the worshippers from
danger.
Location : Amphoe Wiset Chai Chan
Is located in front of Wiset Chai Chan Witthayakhom School at Mu 2,
Tambon Phaichamsin. Follow Ang Thong Wiset Chai Chan route between Km
26-27 for approximately 1.5 kilometers into Soi Pu Dok Pu Thongkaeo 16.
This monument was constructed by Wiset Chai Chan together with Ang Thong
people to commemorate the two heroes of Ban Pho Thalay, Wiset Chai Chan
people, and Grandpa Dok and Thongkaeo who sacrificed their lives in the
battle with Burmese at Ban Khai Bang Rachan prior to the defeat of
Ayutthaya in 1766. Crown Prince Wachiralongkorn on behalf of His
Majesty the King presided over the opening ceremony of this monument in
1977.
Location : Amphoe Samko
Is approximately 25 kilometers away from Ang Thong city. Though it was
originally a small Tambon reporting to Amphoe Wiset Chai Chan, it was
promoted as sub-district and then as district in 1965. For its
historical importance, Samko is mentioned in the royal chronicle that
the Burmese marched their army from Dan Chedi Sam Ong to encamp in Samko
before attacking Ayutthaya City. It is also the place where King
Naresuan the Great and Phra Ekathotsarot led the troops to Tambon
Traphangtru in Suphan Buri province and defeated the enemy by combat on
elephant back.
At present, Samko is well known in its native tradition and folk arts.
There are some agriculture areas in Samko converted from rice fields to other
agriculture land e.g. lotus field, good species coconut plantations estate,
and mixed orchard. Farmers know how to develop their career using new
technologies to improve agriculture products in both quality and quantity and to earn satisfactory income.
Samko is also a land of native songs where both male and female singers
take significant roles in conserving and bringing native recreation and songs back to life.
Ban Bangsadet (Court Doll Center under Her Majesty the Queen's patronage)
Location : Amphoe Pa Mok
Is a high raised Thai house behind Wat Tha Sutthawat in Tambon Ban
Bang Sadet. The former name of this Tambon was Tambon Ban Wattan. When
Their Majesties the King and the Queen visited and offered help to those
who suffered from flood in 1975, the people were overwhelmingly pleased
with their Majesties presence and contributions. In remembrance of
their gratitude to Their Majesties, the people approvingly changed the
name of Ban Wattan to Ban Bang Sadet.
The establishment of Ban Bang Sadet Court Doll Project was initiated
by Her Majesty the Queen in 1976. Its main purpose is to help the
villagers earn supplementary income. Besides admiring the shaded and
magnificent scene over the bank of the Chao Phraya River, visitors
can observe court doll production in the friendly villagers' houses.
Center of collaboration in the form of a co-operative system resides
at Ban Bang Sadet Court Doll Center. Some project members will
demonstrate court doll making and the products on sale are available
at fair price. Court dolls are the exotic clay invention displaying
Thai-style course of life and culture, e.g. Thai childrens'
recreation, Thai orchestra or various types of Thai fruits
appropriate as souvenirs.
Location : Amphoe Pho Thong
Angthong's renewed wickerwork is mostly produced by Amphoe Pho Thong people. Almost every house situated along both sides
of the Chao Phraya River organize parties producing rattan and bamboo wickerwork e.g., Tambon Ongkharak Group,
Tambon Bangchaocha Group, Tambon Bangrakam Group, Tambon Bangphlap Group and Tambon Inthapramun Group.
A major wickerwork village worth a visit is Ban Bangchaocha, located at Mu 8, Tambon Bangchaocha,
accessed by Angthong - Pho Thong Road, 9 kilometers to Yangmani Irrigation Canal, turn right and go
along the canal for 5 kilometers and then turn right into Wat Yangthong Road. The wickerwork
village is at the back of the temple, producing wickerwork from bamboo. Her Royal Highness
Princess Maha Chakri Sirinthorn visited this village and advised people there to grow Sisuk
bamboo far more raw material producing wickerwork before becoming scarce. Wickerwork from this
village is well-known for its extraordinary fineness and beauty besides being produced to meet
the market demand. This village has been approved to be a sample in career development.
Location : Amphoe Pho Thong
Located in the same area of the wicker work village at Bangchaocha. The center is famous for
beautifully cut gems is various styles.
Location : Amphoe Pho Thong
Located at Wat Muangkhan, Tambon Rammasak, Amphoe Pho Thong. The craftsman ship of mother of
pearl - inlaid wares at this center is of a high standard. Besides at this center, this kind of
cottage industry in also produced in other places in the form of dressing-tables, vases, ash-trays etc.
Drum - making
village
Location : Amphoe Pa Mok
Is located in Tambon Ekkarat, behind Pa Mok market on the west bank
of the Chao Phraya River. Take the inner road passing Amphoe Pa Mok
Municipality Office running parallel to the irrigation canal for
approximately 17 kilometers. From time to time, drum shops can be found
on both sides of the road. People of Ban Phae have begun producing
drums since 1927 after the harvesting season. The raw materials used
are cowhide and rain tree wood because its texture is soft and able to
be dug easily. We can observe drum-making procedures starting from
lathing wood, laying cowhide sheet, and embedding pins. We can find
sophisticated and magnificent drums here in various sizes, good for
souvenirs. If you go passing the Tambon chief's (Hongfah Yodyoi) house,
you will find the largest drum in the world of 3692 cm wide and 7.6
meters long, made of 6 pieces of connecting Albizzia lebbek. It was
built in 1994 and taken about one year to complete.
Location : Amphoe Pho Thong
Is located at the Noi River in front of Wat Khoi, Mu 1, Tambon Pho Rang Nok, 12 kilometers from Ang Thong province.
Take Ang Thong Wiset Chai Chan route, on Highway No. 3151 Km 27-28, you will find the signboard of the Fish Park at Wat Khoi,
then turn right to take a short cut along irrigation canal for approximately 2.3 kilometers. Fish at Wat Khoi have been
abundant for 50 years since Phrakhru Sukitwichan (Luangpho Khem) was an abbot. Later in 1985, Phrakhru Sorakitchaton,
the present abbot had the place renovated. With the coordination from the Office of Amphoe Pho Thong Fisheries,
this venue was declared as a fish sanctuary. The police will see that the fish are not disturbed. At present,
there are various species of fish living together over 50,000 e.g. sawai (genus Pangasius), rad (gouramy),
thepo (genus Pangasius), buek (Pangasianodon gigas), tapian (carp), etc. Fish foods are available for visitors
to enjoy feeding them. Beverage stalls are also available.
Within Wat Khoi compound, another attraction is an ancient Thai-style teak temple hall of religious
instruction built on eight-angle pillars. Under the temple hall, various kinds of antiques are exhibited
e.g. boats from China such as towing boat, sculling boat, Thai-style gondola, and covering boat.
Collections of tools and equipment used in growing rice e.g. cart, wheel, and plough handle are also displayed.
Aquaculture harvest equipment like bamboo fishing trap can also be found. Besides, there are mondop,
wihan, chedi, ubosot, monks' compartment, praying hall, historic remains of ancient classroom and antiques
from foreign countries e.g. ancient lamp from Washington D.C., ancient clock from Paris, and teak monastic
cabinet from China in the reign of King Rama V, or ancient cradle. Neighbors in this area established
Coarse Rice Production Center in a form of cooperatives for distribution to the public.
Local museum displays various kinds of ancient boats e.g. towing boat and sculling boat, and farmers'
equipments e.g. stone mortar, hand rice mill, rice winnowing basket, etc.,
which clearly review life style of the Thai people in the central region.
Location : Amphoe Sawaengha
Is located at Mu 2, Ban Riowa, Tambon Ban Phran, 24 kilometers from Ang
Thong province. Take Pho Thong Sawaeng Ha Road (Highway No. 3054) Km
18-19, turn into Ban Tambon Nongmaekai until reaching Nongmaekai
School. Then go along the laterite road for 6 kilometers until you
reach Wat Riowa. In this temple, thousands of birds of various species
naturally dwell there including the egret, heron, open-billed stork,
night heron, cormorant kingfisher, etc. Certain kinds nearly become
extinct and cannot easily be seen in other places.
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