The Ancient City (Muang Boran)
Muang Boran or the Ancient City is the world's biggest open-air museum.
It occupies an area of 500 rais (200 acres). Construction began in the
latter part of 1963. It is located at Tambon Bang Pu Mai, at Km. 33.5 of
the old Sukhumvit Road, 8 kilometres from Samut Prakan town. This unique
attraction is the center of scaled-down and actual-size replicas of
important historical sites of various provinces such as Prasat Hin
Phanom Rung, Wat Mahathat Sukhothai, Phraphuttabat Saraburi, Phrathat
Mueang Nakhon, Phrathat Chaiya, etc. Furthermore, there are rare
traditional folk arts and cultures, some of which are hard to come by
nowadays. For those who wish to learn about Thailand, they will not be
disappointed here.
More Details
Getting there: by car, take the Samrong - Samut Prakan Road to Samut
Prakan T-junction and turn left going along the old Sukhumvit road (road
to Bang Pu), then at approximately Km. 33 turn into an entry road to
Muang Boran and drive on for 8 kilometres, Muang Boran will be on the
left. To get there by bus, take the air-conditioned bus Line No. 11 (Pin
Klao - Pak Nam) to the end of the Line and take the local mini-bus Line
No. 36 to Mueang Boran.
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The museum is open daily from 8.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m. Admission : Adult
300 baht, Child 200 baht. Fees for taking a car or van in is 50 Baht.
For more information call 0-2323-9253 or 0-2224-1058-7,
0-2226-1936-7 or click www.ancientcity.com
Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai and Old Market
Located approximately 500 metres from Bueng Tako on the canalside of
Khlong Samrong, Tambon Bang Phli Yai. The temple was formerly known as
Wat Phlapphla Chai Chana Songkhram built to commemorate King Naresuan
the Great’s victory over the Burmese. Later, a large bronze Buddha image
of the Sukhothai style in the gesture of subduing Mara, with open eyes,
was taken to be enshrined as the principal image of Phra Ubosot. The
image became much revered by the people who have called it Luangpho To.
Hence, the temple is otherwise known as Wat Luangpho To. During the
annual Yon Bua or Rap Bua Festival which takes place one day before the
full moon of the 11th lunar month, Luangpho To will be taken in a boat
procession along the canal. There is an old canalside market near the
temple where visitors can walk around and buy some food and useful
items.
Open during 8.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.
Pom Phra Chulachomklao
Naval History Park at Chulachomklao Fortress is situated at the mouth of
Chao Phraya River, Tambon Laem Fa Pha. You can get there using the
Suksawat Road from the Phra Samut Chedi intersection. The fortress'
compound houses a magnificent standing monument of King Rama V, which is
located in the front of the fortress.
Pom Phra Chulachomklao is a modern fortress and has played an important
role in protecting the sovereignty of Thailand during 1893 against
unfriendly forces. It is the fortress forever in the memory of all Thais
and a very important part of Thai history.
Pom Phlaeng Faifa
This old fortress is located at Tambon Talat. Only a few parts of the
fortress are still in good condition. It was one of the fortresses of
Muang Nakhon Khuaenkhan, serving as a military base at the mouth of the
Chao Phraya River. There are many fortresses because King Rama I
commanded that the fortresses be built for protecting the kingdom. At
present, Muang Phra Pa Daeng Municipality has developed the area of the
fortress into a recreational area for the townspeople.
Wat Protketchettharam
Located at Tambon Song Kha Nong, this is the only Thai-Buddhism temple
in Phra Pradaeng. Other temples are of the Mon-Buddhism sect. Phraya
Phetphichai built it during the reign of King Rama II. A distinct and
unique architectural characteristic of the temple is that its roof is
covered with ancient Mon ceramic shingles, without any decorations on
the temple roof. The front of the main building, Ubosot, above the
entrance, is done with stucco adorned with vine lines and decorated with
ancient porcelain and ceramic pieces. Inside, there is a cast-metal
Buddha image in the attitude of Subduing Mara.
This second level royal monastery is located at Tambon Pak Nam. The
temple, of which the former name is Wat Takothong, was built in the late
Ayutthaya period. The main building was renovated in the reign of King
Rama III. The upper part of the front of the temple, above the entrance,
is decorated with Chinese porcelain and ceramics. Inside the temple,
there is a mural painting, depicting the first book of the Buddhist
scripture dealing with the life of Lord Buddha. Later, another building
was built to enshrine the 4 traces of Lord Buddha's Footprints. The hall
for sermons is Thai style structure made totally from teak and upper
part of the front of the building, above the entrance, is lavishly
decorated with exquisite and beautifully carved wood well worth
preserving.
This temple is 6 kilometres from town. It is located in Soi Sukhaphiban
58, Tambon Thai Ban, on Sukhumvit road, its entrance is opposite
Sawangkhaniwat Recuperation Centre. The new temple was built by Phra
Acharn Lee Thammawaro) of the Dharmayuthi sect on May 8, 1962. It is one
of the important temples for practicing mediation. Worth visiting and
seeing in this temple is Phra Thutangkha Chedi, a group of 13 chedi as a
representative of the 13 duties of the monks on their religious trips.
There is also Vihara Wisutthithamrangsi in which Acharn Lee's remains
are enshrined.
Phra Samut Chedi is located at Tambon Pak Klong Bang Pla Kot, on the
banks of the Chao Phraya River, opposite Samut Prakan City Hall.
Formerly, this chedi was located on a small island in the middle of Chao
Phraya River's mouth behind Phisuea Samut Fortress. Subsequently,
however, the little island became linked to the right bank of the river
due to the water turning shallow. Then, King Rama II granted the
construction of the Chedi but it was not completed in his time. Later,
during the reign of King Rama III, construction was resumed and the
20-metre high pagoda was completed. Finally, King Rama IV commanded that
the shape of the chedi be changed and also increased the chedis height
to 38 metres. Inside the pagoda, contained Lord Buddha's relics, Phra
Chai Wat and Phra Ham Samut Buddha images (Buddha image in the attitude
of Pacifying the ocean).
Wat Bang Phli Yai Klang
Located on the northern bank of Khlong Samrong in Tambon Bang Phli Yai,
not too far from Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai. It was constructed around 1824
and originally called Wat Klang before changing to Wat Rat Sattha Tham
and eventually Wat Bang Phli Yai Klang. The temple contains an immense
reclining Buddha image of approximately 53 metres long known as Somdet
Phra Sakayamuni Si Sumet Bophit. There are 4 storeys inside the image
itself. The 1st floor houses meditation cells; the 2nd floor has images
of the 500 Arahats and murals depicting Hell and Heaven; the 3rd floor
has paintings of several other sacred Buddha images; the 4th floor
houses the Lord Buddha’s relic taken from Colombo, Sri Lanka, in 1987,
and also the Reclining Buddha’s heart.
Wat Songtham Worawihan
Wat Songtham Worawihan is an old temple of Mon-Buddhism sect. It was
constructed at the same time when Muang Nakhon Khuaenkhan was being
built, during the reign of King Rama III. At present, it is a second
class royal monastery. The huge Phra Raman Chedi was built in Mon style.
Buildings in this temple are built of brick and cement. A decoration on
the roof of the temple is made of teak. The replication of Lord Buddha's
Footprint was enshrined inside the temple.
City Pillar Shrine
The City Pillar Shrine is located at Tambon Talat. It was constructed in
1813. It has been with Amphoe Phra Pradaeng a long time - since the time
when this Amphoe was once a city. It is a highly revered holy place of
the people.
The Dinosaur Museum
This museum, located on the grounds of Samutprakarn Crocodile Farm and
Zoo, is a treat for students, tourists and those who are interested in
pre-historic creatures. The display of the museum is divided into three
sections. The first section is outside the museum building, exhibiting
two models of dinosaurs - - a plant-eating dinosaur, eight meters in
height and fifteen meters in width, and a carnivorous one seven meters
in height and twelve meters and width.
Inside the building is
an air-conditioned exhibition hall displaying dinosaurs’ skeletons of
different periods, as well as evolution of human beings of different
eras. Upstairs is an auditorium that can accommodate 350 views for film
and multi-vision-slide shows.
□ Samutprakarn Crocodile Farm and Zoo
is opened daily from 7.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m. Admission tickets are 50 Baht
each for adults, 30 Baht each for children and 300 Baht each for
foreigners.
The Erawan Museum
This three-headed elephant, Airavata was born of Khun Lek Viriyapant's
ideas and imagination. It was inspired by his wish to preserve his
collection of antiques as a contribution to Thai cultural heritage. Many
of these were priceless objects of art they were also held as sacred
objects for people of ancient cultures. According to ancient traditions
they were believed to bring blessing and prosperity to the land and its
people, and therefore must not be lost to outsiders. It had been
Mr.Viriyapant's concern to find a way that would keep these objects safe
and that would also be suitable to their traditional functions.
The elephant would be a symbol of the centre of the universe and, as such,
the building would function symbolically as the spiritual heart of the land
where sacred objects of the land were housed and revered. He then designed
the building and gave the design to Khun Pagpean Viriyapant, his eldest son,
to begin construction. Already during the construction, the building
attracted people who came to worship. Open Everyday 8.00 a.m.-6.00 p.m.
Pom Puen Suea Mop (Machine Gun)
Pom Puen Suea Mop (Machine Gun), used in the battle against unfriendly
forces, is situated at the lower base of the fortress. Exhibition Hall
displays the picture of damage from the wars and pictures related to the
development of the Royal Thai Navy. H.M.S.Mae Klong Battleship Museum is
a battleship that served in the Royal Thai Navy for over 60 years, the
longest period of service for any vessel. The Ministry of Defense,
seeing the battleship was no longer fit for active duty, de-commissioned
the battleship and converted it into a museum. There are also walking
paths for visitors who are interested in nature and ecological
preservation. Visitors can see the mangrove forest, which is home to
egrets, sea gulls, mudskippers, and many kinds of crabs. There is also a
garden filled entirely with plants and trees from the mangrove forest.
Getting there:
by car: 7 kilometres on Highway No. 303;
by bus: take the bus line number 20 which will pass the fortress, or
you can take a Song Thaeo from Phra Samut Chedi to fortress, or
alternatively, you can take a micro bus (Bang Pakok route) which will
stop inside the fortress.
The fortress is open daily from 8.00 a.m.-6.00 p.m. without any
admission fee.
Naval Musem
The Naval Museum is located at Bang Nang Keng, Pak Nam, Samut Prakan,
opposite the Naval Academy on Sukhumvit Road, 10 kilometres from Bang Na
intersection. The museum chronicles the history of the Royal Thai Navy
and the important Naval battles, exhibits miniature ships such as the
Royal Barges which were used in the Royal Barge Processions of King Rama
V period, the warship H.M.S. Phra Ruang, Rau Barge, H.M.S. Matchanu -
the first submarine of the Royal Thai Navy.
It is open everyday except public holidays from 9.00 a.m.-15.30 p.m.
Bang Namphueng Floating Market
A new floating market near Bangkok located at Tambon Bang Namphueng,
Phra Pradaeng District. It originated under the cooperation between the
Bang Namphueng Subdistrict Administration Organization and local
community in an attempt to release their superabundant crops and, as a
consequence, create employment and income to the community. The charm of
this floating market is the canalside lifestyle of the community whose
members are mostly Thai – Mon. Local products and famous food such as
fish-scale flowers, herbal joss sticks, Hoi Thot (fried mussel pancake),
Khanom Khrok or mortar-toasted pastry, mango, etc. are also offered on
sale. A rowing boat for rent is available at 20 Baht each.
Bang Namphueng Floating Market is open only on Saturdays and
Sundays during 8.00 a.m. – 2.00 p.m.
Bang Pu Seaside
This is located at Tambon Bang Pu Mai, about Kilometres 37 from Bangkok
on Sukhumvit Road, opposite the Bang Pu Industrial Estate. It has long
been famous for its seaside resort and also the recuperation centre, and
generally associated with relaxation. It is operated by the
Quartermaster Generals Department. Inside the compound, there are many
gardens and a lot of trees and plants. Restaurants and bungalows are
also available. During November to late July, a lot of migrating
seagulls will come here, feeding along the seashore.
Bueng Tako
This is a place for water sports lovers. Water skiing and windsurfing
can be enjoyed here. Rental fee is 200 Baht per hour. It is open daily.
Getting there: visitors can take the Bang Na-Trat highway going out of
Bangkok, and at Kilometres13 marker, you can see the entrance on the
right hand side, on the same side as the entrance to Wat Luang Pho To,
right next to Mitsubishi Co., Ltd. Call at 0-2316-7809-10 for more
information
Crocodile Farm
Located in the vicinity of Tambon Taibaan, three kilometers from the
township. it is claimed to be the world's largest crocodile farm
reproducing crocodiles of al stages of age, the farm also raises
elephants, tigers, chimpanzees. Crocodile wrestling and feeding are
demonstrated every day. Open: 07:00 - 18:00 (daily).
This farm is located at Tambon Bang Chalong on Bangna-Trat Road. Between
the 14 and 15 kilometres markers, take a left turn into a side road
(entrance to Krirk University) and go in about 1.5 kilometres. It
started in 1986, has an area of about 10 Rais (4 acres). The main
purpose being the rearing of various kinds of cobras. There are also
shows of snake venom extraction and snake catching. There are various
snake-skin products on sale at low prices, such as shoes, belts, bags,
etc. It is open from 9.00 a.m.-5.30 p.m. Normally, it is open to only
contracted Tour Operators. For the the general public, please contact
the Farm in advance at: Nong Ngu How Farm, 23/2 Mu. 6, kilometre 15
(Bangna-Trat), Tambon Bang Chalong, Amphoe Bang Phli, Samut Prakan
10540, or call at 0-2312-5990.
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