Saraburi province
Saraburi, the province of historical sites, the holy footprint, the beauty of nature, and famous food, is located some 108 kilometres from Bangkok. Travelling to and around Saraburi could be made in one day. The province is administratively divided into 13 districts: Muang Saraburi, Nong Saeng, Sao Hai, Ban Mo, Phra Phutthabat, Nong Don, Kaeng Khoi, Muak Lek, Wang Muang, Wihan Daeng, Nong Khae, Don Phut, and Chaloem Phra Kiat.
Geography
Saraburi is located on the east side of the Chao Phraya river valley. The east part of the province is covered by high plains and plateaus, while the western part is mostly low flat plains.
Two national parks are located in the province. Namtok Chet Sao Noi protects 28 km² around a scenic waterfall. Phra Phutthachai protects the Khao Sam Lan Forest, which consists of hilly landscape and is the source to several rivers and waterfalls. The highest elevation is the Khao Khrok, 329 m above sea level. The 44.57 km² were declared a national park in 1981.
The town, as a gateway to the northeastern region, is only 108 km from Bangkok. It occupies an area of 3,576.5 square kilometres.
History
Saraburi has been an important city since ancient times. It is assumed to have been established approximately in 1549 during the reign of King Maha Chakkraphat of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya. It is assumed that the king had ordered to combine some parts of Lop Buri and Nakhon Nayok together and set up Saraburi province with an aim to be a centre for mobilizing the citizens during times of war. Therefore, from the Ayutthaya period, the story of Saraburi has usually related to battles and wars. As for the origin of the word “Saraburi”, it is assumed that due to its location near a swamp called “Bueng Nong Ngong”, when the town was established a combination of “Sa”-a swamp- and “Buri”-a town was suggested and the town was named “Saraburi”.
Places
The most important Buddhist temple is Wat Phra Phutthabat, built under King Songtham in the 17th century, is located around a Buddha footprint. It is the most popular pilgrimage site within central Thailand.
Close to that temple, Wat Tham Krabok is famous for its drug detoxification. Additionally it was the last of the Hmong refugee camps in Thailand.
Symbols
The provincial seal shows the temple Wat Phra Buddha Baat. In the 17th century a hunter found a puddle of water which looked like a (oversized) footprint. It was declared a footprint of Buddha, and the temple was built around it. Phra Phutthabat means footprint of Buddha.
Provincial tree is Lagerstroemia floribunda, provincial flower is the Yellow Cotton Tree (Cochlospermum regium).
Administrative divisions
The province is subdivided into 13 districts (Amphoe). The districts are further subdivided into 111 communes (tambon) and 965 villages (muban).
- Mueang Saraburi
- Kaeng Khoi
- Nong Khae
- Wihan Daeng
- Nong Saeng
- Ban Mo
- Don Phut
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- Nong Don
- Phra Phutthabat
- Sao Hai
- Muak Lek
- Wang Muang
- Chaloem Phra Kiat
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