Introduction
Bueng Boraphet
Nakhon Sawan Province, also known as Pak Nam Pho is where the rivers of
Ping, Wang, Yom, and Nan converge and form the Chao Phraya River, the most
important waterway of Thailand. Nakhon Sawan is in the lower northern part
of the country between the North and the Central Region. It is regarded
as the doorway to the North and it is the hub of transportation in the Lower
North.
Borders
| North |
: Kamphaeng Phet and Phichit |
| South |
: Chainat, Uthai Thani, Sing Buri and Lopburi |
| East |
: Phetchabun and Lopburi |
| West |
: Tak |
Distance
| Distances to Other Provinces |
| Uthai Thani |
50 km |
Lopburi |
130 km |
| Chainat |
64 km |
Tak |
183 km |
| Kamphaeng Phet |
117 km |
Phetchabun |
192 km |
| Distances from Amphoe Mueang to Other Districts |
| Krok Phra |
18 km |
Ta Khli |
61 km |
| Kao Liao |
20 km |
Phaisali |
65 km |
| Phayuha Khiri |
26 km |
Nong Bua |
71 km |
| Banphot Phisai |
34 km |
Tak Fa |
73 km |
| Chum Seang |
39 km |
Chum Ta Bong |
73 km |
| Lard Yao |
40 km |
Mae Pearn |
75 km |
| Tha Tako |
45 km |
Mae Wong |
80 km |
Festivals & Events
Nakhon Sawan Chinese New Year Festival
Nakhon Sawan Chinese New Year Festival
When: February
Where: Utthayan Sawan (Nong Sombun Park), Kosi Road
and the bank of the Chao Phraya River, Amphoe Mueang
The most anticipated event in festival calendar year for Nakhon Sawan is undoubtedly
Chinese New Year Festival and Chao Pho - Chao Mae Pak Nam Pho Procession Festival which
are annually held harmoniously side by side for continuous 12-day period during Chinese
New Year to bring good luck, fortune and prosperity. Chinese migrants have been settling
down all over Thailand for hundreds of years and many of them and their descendants
inhabit in Nakhon Sawan nowadays, hence the long-standing tradition of Chinese New Year
Celebration since olden days. The two most famous shrines around the city are ones of Chao
Pho Thepharak and Chao Mae Taptim whose popularity started almost hundred years ago during
cholera outbreak where hundreds of people died. The Devotees of these two shrines held the
ritual believed to be a cure of this evil plague and it miraculously worked.
The highlighted programmes are definitely 2 amazing “Chao Por - Chao Mae” Processions which
take place in the evening and then the following morning. The festival also features various
processions such as lion parade, dragon, angel processions and the goddess Guan Yin procession
marching along the main roads in the municipality. Another unmissable event is the spectacular
illuminated dragon dance that will keep you mesmerised and stunned by the movement of the dragon,
its carriers’ skills and their endless energy. Included are also marching bands, dancers in colourful costumes,
acrobats standing on each other’s shoulders and the list goes on. Be a part of this event of Nakhon Sawan
and witness one of the most impressive festivals of all time.
Ban Kao Thong Songkran Festival
When: April
Where: Tambon Kao Thong, Amphoe Payuhakiri
This long tradition of Tambon Kao Thong has long been held annually during
Songkran Festival in this village where many of Mon offspring reside in today.
The festival showcases local tradition and culture through folk games and
performance such as “Jup Khor Mue Sao” (Holding maidens’ hands ceremony) which
will be played in the afternoon after the morning merits making. Young men and
women will gather around in a temple’s yard standing separately in 2 groups by
gender. A guy will walk towards the girl he fancies and ask to hold her hand
politely if the targeted girl agrees, they both will go for a walk around the
lawn together and a guy will then walk her back. The one simple rule is not to
touch a girl’s hand higher than her elbow.
Following fascinating game is “Kao Phee” (Processed by ghost). The players have to
pretend to be possessed by ghost and imitate that particular type of evil spirit.
Apart from all these bizarrely interesting games, other programmes also include
praying song show, role play local dance with folk song, well-conserved traditional
dance like famous Pitsathan Dance and Cha Chao Lom Dance in which the performers
dance and court beautifully.
Tropical Flower and Ornamental Plants Festival
Tropical Flower and Ornamental Plants Festival
When: May
Where: Sawan Park, Amphoe Mueang
This spectacular flora exposition is held annually in the summer to boast the
mesmerising beauty of tropical flowers and ornamental plants. The festival showcases
light-and-sound performance, a contest of various kinds of orchid, an orchid gardening
competition, colouring contest, jade contest as well as competitions for a wide range
of flowers and plants such as cactus, Poi Sian (type of plant), Chuan Chom (Pink Bignonia),
and Ko Son (Garden croton). Included are also demonstrations showing the art of arranging
and decorating bonsai, Bon (Elephant Ear) and dwarf. Join this festival, experience the
friendliness and warm welcome of the locals, bring home perfect flowers and be assured
that their beauty will no doubt add to the loveliness of your garden. What’s more, there
are plenty of scenic temples and stunning landscape to explore in the area where you can
also enjoy and make the most of your visit.
Boat Races for His Majesty’s Trophy
When: October
Where: Chao Phraya River
Be amazed by the greatest races of traditional long boats ranging from small, medium and
large sizes from all over the country. These Boat Races for His Majesty’s Trophy are held
annually at the end of the Buddhist Lent along Chao Phraya River in front of Nakhon Sawan
Provincial Hall. There are also other boat races at temples along the river, for example,
from Wat Ko Hong and Wat Takhian Luan. This boat racing tradition has been carried on for decades
to show the harmonious collaboration among inhabitants of Nakhon Sawan and its neighbours.
Apart from the impressive unity of the locals that you will witness on the scene, but also the
talented skills of those boat paddlers and participation of boat owners as well. Other highlighted
programmes are also a chance to make merits at Wat Jom Kiri Nakkaprod including Buddha image gilding,
and to enjoy a bargain of local products from One Tampon One Product or OTOP Campaign.
Loy Krathong Festival
Loy Krathong Festival
When: November
Where: In front of Chao Mae Na Pha Shrine
When it comes to Loy Krathong Festival, one of Thailand’s oldest and best-conserved
traditions, Ban Na Pha Community at Amphoe Mueang Nakhon Sawan knows just how to celebrate
the festival in a very unique way. As the full moon of the twelfth lunar month approaches
and lights up the sky at nightfall, the locals bring out their coconut shells they have
been collected throughout the year to clean and creatively and elaborately decorate them
with coloured papers and place a candle in the centre of the shell.
The big difference from an ordinary Krathong (vessel made of banana leaves) we often see is
there will be no flowers, nor incense in this coconut shell. Once the special night arrives,
thousands of these coconut shells will be lit up and set afloat onto Chao Phraya River and its
waterways starting from the area in front of Chao Mae Na Pha Shrine.
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