Introduction
a province in the upper central region of Thailand is rich in tourist attraction
resources including natural sites, artifacts, festivals, temples as well
as historical sites. Located 108 km from Bangkok and 65 km
from Ayutthaya it is conveniently commutable within a day. Topographically
the southern and western parts of Saraburi are plateaus 2 metres above sea
level. Ranging from plains to plateaus of 8 to 10 metres high above sea level
broken by mounds and hills, the land gradually rises to the north and the
northeast. Saraburi is on the one very important river: the Pasak River
which flows through Amphoe Muak - lek, Kaengkhoi, Muang Saraburi and Saohai
and meets the Chao Phraya River at Ayutthaya. It s length is 105 km.
Important canals are Raphiphat, Roeng - rang Wihandaeng, Phrieo etc.
Saraburi extends over an area of 3,576.48 sq km and is administratively
divided into 11 districts Amphoe : Mueang Saraburi, Kaengkhoi, Nongkhae,
Nongsaeng, Banmo, Saohai, Phra Phutthabat, Wihandaeng, Muak-lek, Nongdon,
Donphut and Wangmuang.
Borders
» North : Lop Buri
» South : Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani
» East : Nakhon Ratchasima and Nakhon Nayok
» West : Ayutthaya and Lopburi
Distances
| Distances to Other Provinces |
| Lop Buri |
46 km |
| Nakhon Nayok |
58 km |
| Prachin Buri |
86 km |
| Nakhon Ratchasima |
152 km |
| Distances from Amphoe Mueang to Other Districts |
| Saohai |
8 km |
| Kaeng Khoi |
15 km |
| Chaloem Phra Kiat |
20 km |
| Nong Khae |
21 km |
| Nong Saeng |
25 km |
| Phra Phutthabat |
28 km |
| Wihan Daeng |
28 km |
| Banmo |
30 km |
| Muak Lek |
38 km |
| Nong Don |
38 km |
| Don Phut |
42 km |
| Wang Muang |
64 km |
By CarFrom Bangkok, take Highway
No. 1 (Phahonyothin) to the traffic roundabout at Bang Pa- In, Phra Nakhon
Si Ayutthaya, and then turn right to Mittraphap Road, which is some
60 km from Saraburi town.
By Bus
There are many daily regular buses and air-conditioned coaches from the
Northeastern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit 2) on Kamphaeng Phet II Road. Call :
0 2537 8055 for more information.
Check out bus timetables
By Train
From Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lamphong), there are daily Bangkok-Saraburi
trains. A stop at Kaeng Khoi and Muak Lek could also be made.
Call the Travel
Service Bureau at 0 2223 7010 or 0 2223 7020 for more information.
Check out train timetables
Phra Phutthabat Homage-paying Festival
When : February - March
Location : Wat Phra Phutthabat Shrine
Stems from the time when Lord Buddha's Footprint was found in the reign
of King Songtham of Ayutthaya. The mondop was built to cover the footprint.
At present, the footprint is situated at Wat Phra Phutthabat Ratchaworamahawihan,
Tambon Khun Khon. A large number of Thais and foreigners come to Phra Phutthabat
during the event. The event is held twice a year: from the first day till
the fifteenth day of the waxing moon in the third month of the lunar calendar
totaling 15 days; and from the eighth day until the fifteenth day of the
waxing moon in the fourth month of the lunar calendar for 8 days.
Hae Phra Khiao Kaeo
When : March
Location : Wat Phra Phutthabat Shrine
Or Celebrations of Lord Buddha's Tooth. Buddhists believe that Phra Khiao
Kaeo is the tooth of Lord Buddha. The festival is held on the first day
of the waxing moon in the fourth month of the lunar calendar. The people
of Amphoe Phra Phutthabat will present the tooth that is to be taken from
Wat Phra Phutthabat Ratchaworamahawihan Museum and bear it in a procession
around the town. They believe that if the procession is held, they will
live in wealth and happiness.
Chao Phor Khao Tok Festival
When : March
Location : Wat Phra Phutthabat Shrine
Or Chao Pho Khao Tok Procession is an annual festival. The event features
the supernatural power performances of Chao Pho Khao Tok and walking on
fire, Lo Ko dragon parade, and Chinese opera. Mostly Chinese people, especially
the pupils of Chao Pho Khao Tok, will come to join the festival. The event
is held from the first day of the waxing moon in the fourth month of the
lunar calendar for 4 days at Wat Phra Phutthabat Ratchaworamahawihan in
Phra Phutthabat district.
Tak Bat Dok Mai
When : July
Location : Wat Phra Phutthabat Shrine
The Food Offering Festival, is an important event of Phra Phutthabat district.
This impressive merit-making ceremony is held to coincide with the start
of the annual three-month Buddhist Lent (around June-July) when Buddhist
monks must stay in their temples. In the morning, the people will offer
food and candles to Wat Phra Phutthabat Ratchaworamahawihan, Tambon Khun
Khon, Phra Phutthabat district. They will go to collect a kind of flower
called The Flower of Buddhist Lent, to offer to the monks for merit. The
herb-like flower has yellow or white colors and is found at a hillside only
during the Buddhist Lent period in Saraburi. While the monks come along
the passage to bring the flowers to pay homage to Lord Buddha's Footprint,
people will wait at the stairs with a bowl of clean water floating Mimusops.
They will pour the water onto the feet of the monks and the novices as a
means of cleaning ones mind.
Songkran Song Nam Sao Nang Takian Wat Sung
When : April
Location : Wat Sung at Amphoe Saohai
Is held annually on April 23 in front of Wat Sung's chapel, Sao Hai district.
People perform merit making by pouring water to the elders and to Nang Takian
pillar.
Pa Sak Boat Racing Festival
When : September
Location : Pa Sak River in front of Sowhai District Hall
Is a major annual regatta that takes place in front of Sao Hai district
offices pier on the last Saturday or Sunday of September. Famous boats from
all over the country join in the race. This festival preserves local tradition.
Kam Fa Festival
When : February
Location : Phai Lio District , Amphoe Don Phut
Is held on the second day of the waxing moon in the third month of the lunar
calendar. The festival features folk entertainments and activities including
a pitch and toss game, cockfighting, toasting rice in bamboo, etc. On the
third day of waxing moon in the third month of the lunar calendar, people
perform merit making and attend sermons, cook and tell stories about ancestors.
The festival takes place annually at Tambon Phai Lio, Don Phut district.
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