|
Saraburi, 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 kilometers from Bangkok and 65 kilometers from Ayutthaya
it is conveniently commutable within a day. Topographically the
southern and western parts of Saraburi are plateaus 2 meters above
sea level. Ranging from plains to plateaus of 8 to10 meters 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 kilometers. Important canals are Raphiphat, Roeng
- rang Wihandaeng, Phrieo etc.
Saraburi extends over an area
of 3,576.48 square kilometers and is administratively divided into
11 districts (Amphoe): Muang Saraburi, Kaengkhoi, Nongkhae, Nongsaeng,
Banmo, Saohai, Phra Phutthabat, Wihandaeng, Muak-lek, Nongdon, Donphut
and Wangmuang.
|
|
[ By Car ]
From 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 kilometers 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.
[ 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.
|
|
[
Phra Phutthabat
Homage-paying Festival ]
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 ]
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
]
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 ]
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 ]
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
]
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 ]
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.
|
