Nonthaburi Province
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| Statistics | |
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| Capital: | Nonthaburi |
| Area: | 622.3 km² Ranked 74th |
| Inhabitants: | 986,534 (2006) Ranked 20th |
| Pop. density: | 1,585.03 inh./km² Ranked 2nd |
| ISO 3166-2: | TH-12 |
| Governor: | Choetwit Ritthiprasat (since November 2006) |
| Map | |
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Nonthaburi (Thai: นนทบุรี) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Bangkok and Nakhon Pathom.
The land of elegant palaces, magnificent royal garden, Ko Kret’s famous pottery, notably old and beautiful temples, delicious durian and gorgeous city hall.
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[edit] Geography
Nonthaburi is located directly north of Bangkok on the Chao Phraya river. The province is part of the greater Bangkok Metropolitan Area. In most parts it is as urbanized as the capital, and the boundary between the two provinces is nearly unrecognisable.
[edit] History
Nonthaburi was declared a city in the middle of the 16th century, which was previously a village named Talat Khwan. During the reign of King Prasat Thong, a canal was dug to create a shortcut of the flow of the Chao Phraya. The river changed its flow into the new canal, which is still the riverbed today. In 1665 King Narai built a fortress, as the shorter riverway was giving enemies an easier way to the capital Ayutthaya. The town was then also moved near the fortress.
From 1943 to 1946 the province was incorporated into Bangkok.
[edit] Symbols
| Image:Seal Nonthaburi.png |
The provincial seal shows earthenware, a traditional product from Nonthaburi. Provincial flower and tree is the Yellow Flame Tree (Peltophorum pterocarpum). The provincial slogan translates to Grand Royal Mansion, renowned Suan Somdet, Ko Kret's pottery, famous ancient temples, tasty durians, and the beautiful government office. The royal mansion refers to Phra Tamnak Nonthaburi in Mueang Nonthaburi district, the residence of Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn; Suan Somdet is a water garden in Pak Kret district. The provincial administration building once received an award as the most beautiful such building by the Ministry of Interior. |
[edit] Administrative divisions
The province is subdivided into 6 districts (Amphoe). The districts are further subdivided into 52 communes (Tambon) and 309 villages.
[edit] Tourism
[edit] Sights
Wat Khemaphirataram Rajaworawiharn The major attractions at Wat Khema are its big pagoda enshrining the lord Buddha’s relics and the Buddha’s image of the Ayutthaya period as well as Tamnak Daeng Building, and Phra Thinang Monthian Hall.
Wat Sangkhatan: This monastery in Tambon Bang Phai possibly named Wat Sarikho in the late Ayutthaya period was built in Ceylonese Style by skillful craftsmen.
Wat Chotikaram The most beautiful spot of this monastery is Viharn Song Rong where not only the walls, but also floor and ceiling are covered with splendid mural paintings.
Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat Worawiharn The temple has completely reflected King Rama III’s most favorite style that combines Chinese art in constructing the monastery. The temple’s biggest Buddha image made from Bronze named ‘Phraphuttamahalokaphinanthapatima’ is enshrined in the Ubosot.
Chaloem Kanchanaphisek Park This 40 acres public park commemorates King Bhumibhol or King Rama IX’s golden jubilee. The most remarkable building in the park is ‘Wimansarannawamin’ constructed in Thai style in the middle of the pond.
Wat Prasat King Narai the Great of the Ayutthaya period has had this monastery built in Mon style. The Ubosot’s wall is finely decorated with the paintings of the Ayutthaya period which remains nowadays Nonthaburi’s oldest mural paintings.
The Museum of Anthropology is Thailand’s first museum of the natural history. The exhibition of the history of earth, plants, animals and human being is on the first floor while the display on antiques, Buddha images and willow ware, for instance, is on the second floor.
Wat Chomphuwek Built in the late Ayutthaya era by Mon in 1757, Wat Chomphuwek still has the beautiful mural paintings in the Wiharn and Ubosot, as well as the Mon style pagodas constructed by Mon monks in 1917.
Wat Tamnak Tai According to the history, prior to the construction of this monastery, this area used to serve as King Krung Thonburi’s temporary royal pavilion. It is assumed that the Wiharn and the belfry were constructed in 1824 in the period of King Rama III.
The Prathom-Nonthaburi Palace Built in a mixture of Thai and European in 1919, this palace has belonged to Prince Juthathuttharadilok, a son of King Chulalongkorn. Within the same compound, there is another palace where a gilded hall places a more than 100-year-old harp of Prince Juthathutharadilok.
Museum and the Thai Traditional Medical Training Centre The building of three storeys is remarkably built in traditional Thai style designed by a national artist. The second floor serves as an exhibition hall divided into 7 rooms of the history and evolution of Thai traditional medical profession, traditional medical philosophy as well as Thai traditional medicines.
Wat Chonlaprathanrangsarit A big pleasantly shady temple in Tambon Bang Talat is famous for its Lan Phai Anek Prasong considered as a center for Buddhists to attend the religious ceremonies as well as listening to sermons from the abbot every Sundays and Holy days.
Srinagarindra’s Park A park named after his majesty King Rama IX’s mother. With an area of about 41 acres, it is a huge public park where an enormous pond is surrounded by various plants making the place shady and peaceful for relaxation.
Montri Tramote’s house or Ban Som Song Saeng This house belongs to Kru Montri Tramote, notable Thai musician who lived during the reign of King Rama V until King Rama IX. The house is opened to the public for a study on a simple way of living of Kru Montri Tramote who had applied the buddhist virtues and non-materialism to his life.
The Horn Museum Inside the museum, there is an exhibition of horns and antiques dating back 100 years to 16 million years ago, particularly the horns of the herbivore and cannibal in Thailand. The most distinguished horn is the 2-metre-long mammoth’s ivory found in the northeastern part of Thailand.
The Lame animals Aid Foundation (fostered by Luangta Maha Bua) Being nowadays a home of 800 dogs and 150 cats, the foundation is pleased to accept any kind of donations such as money, newspapers, rice and etc. What’s more, on every last Sunday of April, the annual fair where an auction of the stars’ belongings and the show of dog stars will be held.
Wat Ku The temple is known as the area where the shipwreck of King Rama V’s queen took place. Therefore, a palace has been built to commemorate her death. There is also a pavilion constructed as another remembrance to her death imitating Phra Thi Nang Aisawanthipphaya-at in Bang Pa-in Royal Palace.
Wat Saeng Siritham Floating Market A floating market on Rattanathibet-Tha It Road, Tambon Tha It intends to promote the local products from the vicinity of the temple as well as from Ko Kret.
Ko Kret Lived by the descendants of the Mon people who have had a permission to install here during the reign of King Krungthonburi, Ko Kret was also the destination of another wave of Mon immigrants in the period of King Rama II.
Wat Poramaiyikawat In the Ubosot is the location of the principle Buddha image whose face was considered by King Rama V to be very charming and lively as if it was real. Another main attraction of the temple is a Mon style marble carved pagoda enshrining the Lord Buddha’s relics.
Phra Wiharn This is the venue where the 9.5 metres long reclining Buddha of the late Ayutthaya period is enshrined. Nonthaburi’s Buddha image named ‘Phra Nonthamunin’ enshrined here behind Phra Wiharn was formed in the late Ayutthaya period.
Wat Poramaiyikawat Museum The museum displays various interesting items such as votive tablets, crystal ware, porcelains including ‘hem’, a master piece of art made by Colonel Chatwat Ngamniyom.
Wat Sao Tong Thong This long-dated temple used to be called ‘Wat Suan Mak’ is the site of Amphoe Pak Kret’s first primary school. Behind the chapel, the tallest pagoda of Pak Kret was constructed in the Ayutthaya style.
Wat Phai Lom This monastery built in the late Ayutthaya period and called by Mon people ‘Pia To’ has a charming chapel.
Wat Chimphli Sutthawat The temple has a beautiful small chapel that remains nowadays in a very good condition.
Kwan Aman Considered as the Mon Cultural Centre, this pottery museum is notable for its large collection of the distinctive ancient Mon design ceramics.
The Dessert Canal (Khlong khanom wan): The local people living in the compound of the dessert canal as well as other canals around Ko Kret earn their living by selling several traditional Thai home-made desserts and sweets.
Wat Chalo Established in the reign of King Borommakot of Ayutthaya period in the form of argosy, the temple is famous for its notably world’s biggest sworn-boat chapel.
Wat Pho Bang O This monastery dating back the Ayutthaya period has been restored in the reign of King Rama III. Noted for its charming combination of Ayutthaya and Rattanakosin architecture.
Wat Sak Noi is an abandoned temple around 700 metres from Wat Pho Bang O. There’s only the ruin of a more than 100-year-old Wiharn left.
Wat Phleng According to the edifice’s style, this monastery should have been established in the reign of King Narai the Great of the Ayutthaya period. The ancient remains of Wat Phleng that still can be observed are the enormous heart-shaped stones that mark the boundary of the temple and the tiny belfry.
Wat Suan Kaeo is renowned for the Suan Kaeo Foundation for the social development and the quality of living improvement of the impoverished persons such as Rom Pho Kaeo Project, Nursing Home Project, Nursery Day Care Project as well as supermarket.
Wat Amphawan Established in the late Ayutthaya period, Wat Amphawan is famous for the sacred scriptures hall surrounded by water, which represents the most perfect Thai architecture.
Wat Seni Wong The monastery has been built uniquely with the combination of Thai-Chinese-Mon architecture. Besides, Mon style has also been used when establishing ‘Chedi Som Prathana’ or ‘the wish came true Chedi’ enshrining the Lord Buddha’s relics.
Sai Noi Floating Market Travelling to the market by boat along a canal to see how some ordinary Thais live.
Wat Sai Yai (Close to Sai Noi Municipal Office) 65 Ban Sai Yai, Sai Noi-Ton Chueak Road, the monastery built in 1867 enshrines nowadays a golden Buddha image.
Bang Rak Noi Agricultural Center An orchard of durians, mangosteens, mangoes is opened to public for visiting and tasting the delightful local fruits.
[edit] Culture
[edit] Festivals
Mon Songkran Festival at Ko Kret, Amphoe Pak Kret, one week after April 13 with a caravan and shows of traditional Mon playing and entertainment
Nonthaburi Fruits & Fairs This annual fair is held during Mid April-beginning of June in front of the old city hall to celebrate the abundance of local fruits such as durian, mangosteen and mango as well as flowers and plants of Nonthaburi.
Tham Bun Tak Bat Phra Roi Paet Ceremony: This annual ceremony is an old tradition continuously held every November in Amphoe Bang Kruai along side Khlong Bangkok Noi with the participation of several temples such as Wat Thai Charoen, Wat Bang Krai Nok, Wat Utthayan and Wat Bang Krai Nai.
Mon classical Dance Dating back long time ago, the traditional Mon dancing accompanied by the Mon gamelan remains till today as an invaluable heritage to the descendants of Mon at Pak Kret, Phra Pradaeng and Pathum Thani.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Province page from the Tourist Authority of Thailand
- Official website (Thai only)
- Nonthaburi provincial map, coat of arms and postal stamp
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