Sing Buri Province
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Capital: | Sing Buri town |
| Area: | 822.5 km² Ranked 73rd |
| Inhabitants: | 232.766 (2000) Ranked 72nd |
| Pop. density: | 283 inh./km² Ranked 11th |
| ISO 3166-2: | TH-17 |
| Governor: | Praphat Bunyindi (since November 2006) |
| Map | |
 |
|
Sing Buri (Thai: สิงห์บุรี) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Nakhon Sawan, Lop Buri, Ang Thong, Suphan Buri and Chai Nat.
Land of Heroes and Courageous People, the Reclining Buddha Image, Famous Fish of Mae La, and the Trading Area of the Central Region.
Contents |
[edit] Etymology
The word Sing originates from the Sanskrit word Singh meaning lion, and the word buri from Sanskrit Puri meaning town or city. Hence the name of the province literally means City of Lion.
[edit] Geography
Sing Buri is located in the flat river plain of the Chao Phraya river valley.
[edit] History
The area of Singburi hold an important position in early Thai history since Dvaravati period down to Ayutthaya period. Formerly the province separated into 3 small provinces - In Buri, Prom Buri and Sing Buri - which were unified by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in 1895.
[edit] Symbols
 |
The provincial seal shows the fort of Khai Bangrachan, a historical monument. When the Burmese attacked Ayutthaya in 1765, eleven villagers from Bangrachan fought the army when it stopped north of Ayutthaya. They managed to delay them for five months before they were finally defeated, soon thereafter Ayutthaya fell as well. Annually on February 4 a ceremony is held in remembrance of these local heroes. This story was also made into a movie in Thailand.
Provincial tree is the Red Sandalwood Tree (Adenanthera pavonina). |
[edit] Administrative divisions
The province is subdivided into 6 districts (Amphoe). The districts are further subdivided into 43 communes (tambon) and 363 villages (muban).
[edit] Tourism
[edit] Sights
The Provincial Court and City Hall of Sing Buri They are one-storey brick buildings in the European style. Apart from their beauty, the buildings are of great architectural value. The Fine Arts Department registered the buildings as national ancient monuments.
Wat Sawang Arom The temple is a centre of arts concerning education, construction of the Ubosot (ordination hall), Wihan (image hall), Sala (pavilion), and particularly the sculpture of Buddha images. Within the temple compound, the Nang Yai Museum has collected more than 300 perfect and playable ‘Nang Yai’ great shadow puppets.
Wat Phra Non Chakkrasi Worawihan is a royal temple in the third class. Inside the Wihan (image hall), a large reclining Buddha image is enshrined. Furthermore, there are two other Buddha images: Phra Kan and Phra Kaeo. They were built in the reign of King Rama V to be the principal image at a ceremony for civil servants to swear an oath of allegiance to the king.
Wat Na Phrathat The important thing of the temple is Phra Prang (corn-shaped pagoda). The pagoda has figures of demons holding batons and garudas over the relic chamber. The Fine Arts Department registered the temple as an ancient monument.
Wat Prachotikaram Two large Sukhothai-styled images of Buddha in the posture of persuading relatives not to quarrel are enshrined here. Luangpho Sap and Luangpho Sin have beautiful features and are worshipped by the general public.
Wat Kradangnga Buppharam The Ubosot (ordination hall) here is beautiful and unique in a modern style. An ancient bell-shaped Chedi (pagoda) is like that of the early Ayutthaya period. This is considered the most complete pagoda among those of the same age, and was registered as a national ancient monument.
Wat Kudi Thong There is the Mondop (square building) resembling the twelve-indented corner pagoda, built in 1900 by Luangpho Panya Uttamaphichai the abbot. At the top of the Mondop, the Lord Buddha’s relics are enshrined. Inside, the Lord Buddha’s metal footprint is worshipped.
Burmese Mounds and Camp This ancient community features long mounds similar to an L-shape. It was presumed that the mounds were built in the Ayutthaya period in around 1584 when the Burmese army set up a camp at the mouth of the Bang Phutsa River for gathering troops to strike the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Nowadays, it is a park for recreation for the general public.
Wat Amphawan is located in Tambon Phrom Buri. Phra Ratchasutthiyanmongkhon (Luangpho Charan Thitathammo) is the abbot.
Wat Phra Prang Muni Next to the pagoda is the Wihan (image hall) of Luangpho Yen, the sacred stucco image of Buddha from the Ayutthaya period. Inside the Ubosot, (ordination hall) mural paintings by Pheng who was a Laotian, depicting stories about hell and heaven, are second to none in beauty.
Wat Phikun Thong There is Thailand’s largest Buddha image in the posture of giving a blessing, called ‘Phra Phutthasuwanmongkhon Mahamuni or Luangpho Yai’.
Wat Champa Thong This is the place where the royal boat used during HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s cruise along the Noi River has been kept. The name of this paddle boat or Ruea Mat Keng is Champa Thong Sing Buri.
Heroes of Khai Bang Rachan Monument and Khai Bang Rachan Park They cover an area of around 115 rai, and feature an arboretum garden. Sculptures of 11 heroic leaders of Khai Bang Rachan or the Bang Rachan Camp appear magnificently in the garden. Within the Khai Bang Rachan Park, lies the Heroes of Khai Bang Rachan Historical Centre which has three exhibition rooms.
Wat Pho Kao Ton or Wat Mai Daeng It was the stronghold of the villagers of Bang Rachan to resist against the Burmese troops. There is the ‘Phra Achan Thammachot Wihan,’ the hall with four porches. Phra Achan Thammachot was among the important leaders of the Bang Rachan villagers. Besides, the spiritual shrine of heroes of Khai Bang Rachan is close to the fence.
Wat Phra Prang (Channasut) There is the Phra Prang (corn-shaped pagoda) in the early Ayutthaya style of art of the 15th – 16th century. At the back, there is an ancient Wihan (image hall) in the Ayutthaya style of art, with a lion-figured wood-carved gable and eaves brackets.
Maenam Noi Kiln Site It was the largest site for pottery production in the Ayutthaya period during 1371 to 1767. The kilns here were crossdraft kilns made of brick. Apart from being a cultural heritage site, this archaeological site is also one of the study centres on ceramics in the world.
Mae La Maha Rachanuson Park It is getting more difficult to find Pla Chon Mae La or striped snake-head fish which is famous food and a souvenir from Sing Buri province. Therefore, Officials have attempted to conserve and help increase the fish by means of dredging the river course and building a park on the bank of the Mae La River. Amphoe In Buri
Wat Sutthawat or Wat Mai An old Wihan (image hall) here was built in the Ayutthaya period. Inside, there are mural paintings of master craftsmanship, depicting the life of the Lord Buddha and the Chulamani Chedi in heaven where His hair relic was enshrined.
Wat Bot The Ubosot (ordination hall) here is the only one which used train tracks as its core base. Interestingly, all doors and window panels of the ordination hall were skillfully carved by Chuen Hatthakoson, a native of Sing Buri. Inside the ordination hall, there is an ancient principal Buddha image which has very beautiful features.
In Buri National Museum There is an exhibition of decorations of Buddhist monks’ ecclesiastical titles, rank insignia fans, Buddha images of different periods, Thai and Chinese ceramics, and Thai musical instruments. On the ground floor, folk plays, fish traps, a weaving loom, and ancient lamps are on display.
Mueang Boran Ban Khu Mueang (Ban Khu Mueang Ancient City) It was an ancient community in the Dvaravati period. Many pieces of pottery were excavated here. Others also found include coloured beads, earthenware lamps, a greenish stone wheel of the law, earrings, and silver coins. At present, discovered artefacts have been maintained at the In Buri National Museum.
Wat Muang It is a rectangular lime building with a front portico. The gable is decorated with pieces of pottery. Inside, the principal Buddha image in the posture of subduing Mara sitting on a lotus seat on the superimposed lion-footed pedestal is enshrined. There are tempera mural paintings by a local artisan, which was presumed to have been drawn in the reign of King Rama IV.
[edit] Activities
Agro-tourism Sites
Suan Chomphu Thong Sam Si (Thong Sam Si Rose Apple Orchard) is located at 10/1 Mu 5, Tambon Thon Samo, Amphoe Tha Chang. Fruit trees grown here are rose apple, lychee, and santol.
[edit] Local Products
Khanom Pia (Chinese pastry) has been a famous souvenir of Sing Buri since 1936 for its delicious taste and freshness. The Chinese pastry is made in various flavours and fillings.
Pla Chon Mae La Sing Buri is well-known for its source of tasty striped snake-head fish.
Salapao Mae Saichai Salopao (Chinese bun) of the Guangzhou recipe is well-known for its soft texture and being kept for a long period.
Kun Chiang and Mu Yong Chinese pork sausage and flossy pork are long famous as a souvenir for being crispy, less oily, and delicious.
Nuea Thup and Mu Thup Pound dried beef and pork are very popular. They can be kept for a long period.
Pearl-inlaid Products are made at Ban Paeng opposite Wat Chinda Mani. Pieces of skillful work of fine art range from small ones, such as Talum Muk (footed container with an inward curved mouth), jewellery casket, betel nut container, and bag, to large-scale furniture.
Mattress Making It is a quality mattress filled with new kapok, having fine sewing and a beautiful design.
Basketry . Pieces of basketry are made in different forms, including souvenirs. Materials used are rattan, bamboo, and water hyacinth, which are woven into various figures, such as hen, shrimp, frog, basket, food cover, etc., with fine craft and beautiful designs.
Krayasat This kind of crispy rice sweet.It is sweet, crispy, and soft.
[edit] Culture
[edit] Festivals
Bang Rachan Heroes Memorial Fair To be held during 4-6 February of every year at the Heroes of Khai Bang Rachan Monument and Khai Bang Rachan Park in Tambon Bang Rachan, Amphoe Khai Bang Rachan. Activities at the fair include the ceremonies to pay homage to the image of Phra Achan Thammachot and to lay a wreath before the Heroes of Khai Bang Rachan Monument, a light and sound presentation on the courageous acts of the heroes of Khai Bang Rachan, folk plays, entertainment, and exhibitions of numerous precious things of Sing Buri.
Kam Fa Tradition It is a merit-making fair of the people of Thai Phuan in Amphoe Phrom Buri’s Ban Bang Nam Chiao and Muban Phokhaphiwat. It is intended to worship and commemorate the deity who guards the sky and controls the rain to fall seasonally. On the second day of the waxing moon in the third lunar month, which is taken as a preparatory day, villagers will join and make Khao Pun (rice vermicelli), Khao Chi (grilled rice), and Khao Lam (sweet sticky rice) for alms offering in the next morning. An auspicious ritual performed by Buddhist monks will be held in the evening when villagers will bring sticky rice, eggs, and sugar to participate. At night, there is enjoyable entertainment. In the late night, the villagers will begin to steam sticky rice and make sweets. On the third day of the waxing moon in the third lunar month which is the Kam Fa Day, the villagers will bring the prepared offerings and food to make merit at the temple. Seven days after the Kam Fa, another half day of the Kam Fa ritual is extended, and after five more days, food will be offered to monks. After that, a piece of firewood will be brought to float in the river, as a ritual to get rid of drought. This is done lastly to complete the Kam Fa ceremony.
Ti Khao Bin Tradition It is an old tradition only observed in the village of Chakkrasi in Amphoe Mueang Sing Buri during the Songkran Festival between 13-15 April every year. The ceremony will be performed by villagers who will bring sticky rice or red sticky rice to be steamed and wrapped in banana-leaf cones. The cones of sticky rice will be put on footed trays and offered to Luangpho Phra Non Chakkrasi at Wat Phra Non Chakkrasi. After an appropriate period of time, there will be a ceremony to withdraw the rice. The villagers will go to get their trays and take some sticky rice from the cones into a small banana-leaf cup to be left before the reclining image of Buddha. The rest of the rice, which is considered the rice of Luangpho Phra Non Chakkrasi, will be shared and eaten at the temple by the villagers separating in groups of 6-7 people.
Kuan Khao Thip Tradition Khao Thip or Khao Mathupayat (rice sweet) is usually made in Muban Wat Kudi Thong, Ban Phokhaphiwat, and Wat Uttamaphichai in Amphoe Phrom Buri. The day is not exactly fixed, but it will happen during the time that young rice grows enough to give a milk-like juice. A ceremonial pavilion will be set up and encircled by a holy thread. Virgin girls will bring nine ingredients: bean, sesame, milk, butter, sugar, coconut, honey, sugarcane juice, and milk-like juice squeezed out of young rice, to mix in a giant wok. The ingredients will be heated by flame from the firewood of Javanese cassia and jujube trees, ignited by the sun. The stirring will be accompanied by Buddhist monks’ chant of victory, as well as sound of beating gongs and drums. The ritual still follows the traditional practice by having the appearance of a Brahman. The virgin girls who participate in the ritual must be the ones who do not yet start their first menstrual periods. They are required to wear white and practise the Buddhist eight precepts in order to purify their body and mind before the ceremony. The girls will help make Khao Thip, which takes around six hours to finish. The sweet will be put in a container as an offering to the monks in the next morning.
Traditional Long-tailed Boat Race To be held in September of every year on the Chao Phraya River at the embankment in front of the old City Hall. Many famous boats from other provinces join the race to win HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s Cup. This is a challenging and exciting event for the beautifully decorated boats will show 2off at their best.
Fish Eating Festival and Sing Buri Red Cross Fair To be held in late December of every year. The Mae La River in Sing Buri is a natural source teeming with fish. Pla Chon Mae La or Mae La striped snake-head fish is very famous. It can be cooked into various delicious dishes of Sing Buri. Furthermore, Sing Buri is an origin of good cooks who possess recipes of well-known food and desserts.
[edit] External links
- Province page from the Tourism Authority of Thailand
- Website of Province (Thai)
- Singburi provincial map, coat of arms and postal stamp
|
||||||||||||||||||||
