Suphan Buri Attractions and Travel Guide

Attractions

City Pillar Shrine
 
This is located on the west bank of the Suphan Buri River. Originally it was built in Thai style architecture but later altered to a Chinese pavilion design. The shrine houses statues of the god Vishnu carved out of green stone.

Tha Sadet Bird Sanctuary 

The bird sanctuary is in Ban Tha Sadet, Tambon Sa Kaeo, 15 kilometres from downtown along Highway 322. The sanctuary is located in private fruit orchards whose owners are kind enough to let the birds live undisturbed. For over 40 years, the bird population has risen from a handful amount to thousands. Visitors can see various kinds of birds such as heron, Asian openbill, ibis, and stork. Presently, the area has been developed as an attraction of the province under the management of the Royal Forestry Department. Visitors can witness a large number of birds from the watch tower, particularly when they blacken the sky at dusk. In every October, the sanctuary will be crowded with migratory birds.

Ban Yamaratcho

This group of traditional Thai houses on stilts is located on Muen Han Road, near the Acha Si Mok Bridge, not far from the Chaophraya Yommarat Hospital. It was honoured and awarded for good urban architecture conservation. The house once belonged to Chaophraya Yommarat (Pan Sukhum), the regent of King Rama VIII. King Rama V had visited this house twice and named it Yamaratcho.

The house now comprises of two chamber hallss, a central hall, and a new living room. Presently it belongs to the Phraya Sunthornsongkheam Fund. Contact Chaophraya Yommarat Hospital for permission to visit this traditional house at Tel. 0 3550 2784 to 8, 0 3552 4088.

Wat Pratu San

This old temple is located on Khun Chang Road, Tambon Rua Yai in the municipality. There is no evidence to prove when the temple was built, but it should have existed before 1836.

Beautiful murals in the Phra Ubosot is worth a visit. In 1848, a royal painter painted the delicate murals featuring the life of the Lord Buddha. It is believed that he was the one who also painted at Wat No Phutthagkun. Besides, a series of painting on wood pieces, which seem to copy the murals, are well kept in the temple’s image hall. For more information, call Tel. 0 3554 3598

Wat Sanam Chai 

This is an abandoned temple on the east bank of the Suphan Buri River in the town. Only ruins of a large pagoda are left to be seen. It is estimated that its height should be 70-80 metres if it were in perfect shape. After the excavation, some human relics were found, and it was assumed that they should belong to warriors who died on the battlefield in ancient times.

Biotechnological Pest Control Centre

Located near the Agricultural Promotion and Development Centre. The centre educates farmers about agricultural methods to control plant pests by natural resources rather than chemical treatment. Farmers can learn to protect their crops by using insects, herbs, and microorganisms. The centre comprises a nursery for attacking insects, hydroponics plant house, and chemical free demonstration plantation. For more information, call Tel. 0 3548 1126.

Phu Muang Forest Park

The park is located in Mu 5, Tambon Chorakhe Samphan, 40 kilometres from Amphoe Mueang. You can go via Highway 321 and get onto highway 3342 at kilometre 128-129. Drive for another 500 metres, the park entrance will be on the right.
Phu Muang Forest Park acquires a total area of 1,725 rai (690 acres), which is covered by mixed and bamboo forests. Its attractions include:
Nature trail The 1.5-kilometre trail leads you through forests packed with various kinds of trees such as Makha, bamboo, etc.
Ancient elephant kraal The earthen elephant kraals date back to 1,500 years ago. There are a total of three kraals covering an area of 10 rai (4 acres).
Laterite Base of Draravati Building The laterite foundation dates back to the Draravati period. It is presumed to have been a venue for royal rituals before catching wild elephants.
Namtok Phu Muang This waterfall was mentioned in the literature Khun Chang -Khun Phaen. With fivetiers, it cascades by the elephant kraal and laterite foundation. Lush forest on the mountain range, Khao Phra, has various kinds of tree and stony field where cycads dot around. Permission for staying overnight should be arranged in advance. For further information, please contact Phu Muang Forest Park, Tel. 0 1943 5188.

Wat Khwang Weruwan

The temple houses a 400 year-old Buddha image from the Dvaravati period.

Lao Si-Lao Khrang Weaving Group

Villagers of Ban Thung Kan Lueang, Tambon Pa Sakae, have retained weaving textiles in an antique pattern inherited from their ancestors. The village is the last place in the province that keeps the Lao Si-Lao Khrang textile pattern alive. Until now, the colourful woven textiles of the last century have remained. Visitors can also enjoy the Bai Si Su Khwan welcoming ceremony. On the third day of the waxing moon of the third lunar month, the villagers will hold a welcoming ceremony for rice or Su Khwan Khao, and bring harvested rice into the silo.

Wat Hua Khao

The hilltop temple is located at Mu 2 in Tambon Hua Khao, nearby to Amphoe Doem Bang Nang Buat, 60 kilometres from Amphoe Mueang. Motorists can get there via Highway 3350. The temple’s entrance is at kilometre 2 or 3, and then 212 steps lead to the temple on the hill. To mark the end of Buddhist Lent, the temple always organise a large merit-making ceremony on the 2nd day of the warning moon of the 11th lunar month.

Bueng Rahan

The large lake is 38 kilometres from Amphoe Mueang. Restaurants and the rest area around the lake makes it a nice place for relaxing.

Wat Lat Sing

Located in Tambon Ban Sa on Liap Khlong Chonlaprathan Road, 7 kilometres off Highway 3038, the temple was formerly called Wat Ratchasing. After Phra Maha Upparacha of Burma was killed by King Naresuan on the elephant back duel, the Burmese kingdom executed King Naresuan’s sister, Phra Suphan kanlaya, who had been held hostage in Burma, in revenge. So, a legend says that King Naresuan the Great founded the temple to honour his sister. The temple houses a 500-year-old Buddha image and three pagodas standing for King Naresuan, King Eka Tossarod, and Phra Suphan kanlaya.

Wat Sam Chuk

Located at Mu 1 of Tambon Sam Chuk, some 600 metres off Highway 340, the ancient temple houses the Buddha footprint, sandstone Buddha statue from the Ayutthaya period, and a pair of bronze swans. There is no evidence to prove when this temple was built. An annual festival is held to honour and celebrate the footprint. For more information, call Tel. 0 3557 1791, 0 3557 1108, 0 3557 2755.

Bueng Nong Sarai Histrorical Site

The natural lake is on Highway 3038, 3 kilometres from the Don Chedi Monument or about 40 kilometres from Amphoe Mueang. The huge lake was involved in the war when King Naresuan defeated the Burmese troops. With water supply that could feed an army of over 100,000 warriors, elephants and horses as well as the better location over the hill away from the enemy, here was the stronghold of the Siamese Army for months. It is pitiful that the lake, at present covering an area of only 29 rai (11.6 acres), is in poor condition.

Wat Phra That or Wat Phra That Sala Khao

The temple is located at kilometre 145 of Highway 321, opposite Wat Suan Taeng. Local people call it Wat Phra That Nok because of the stupa which is similar to the one in Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat . With a height of 25 metres, the ruined stupa is a bit smaller with a rounder spire. Presumed from archaeological evidence, this temple dates back during 1424-1488 in the reign of Phra Borommatrailokkanat

Wat Sanam Chai

The temple, with an area of 57 rai (22.8 acres), is located at Mu 5, Tambon Sanam Chai on Highway 340, 2 kilometres from Amphoe Mueang on the eastern bank of the Tha Chin River. The Northern Chronicle says that King Katae assigned his brother to build this temple and to renovate Wat Pa Lelai at the same time. Archaeologists presumed that the temple dates back before the year 1203. There is a big ruined octagonal pagoda surrounded by a wall with small pagodas at four points of the compass.

In 1961, the Fine Arts Department renovated the pagoda and found lots of relics and ashes inside. It is presumed that the pagoda was first built in the Dvaravati U Thong period, and then rebuilt in the Ayutthaya period.

Wat Phrao

Located in Tambon Pho Phraya, north of Wat Phra Non, next to Pho Phraya Watergate, 9 kilometres from downtown. The temple’s Wihan has distinguished architecture in the Burmese style. The hall houses a Buddha footprint. In the backyard is the library for Buddhist scriptures, which is located in the middle of the pond. Large flock of flying foxes live on the Java plum trees in the backyard of this temple.

Handicraft Promotion Centre 

This is located at Tambon Don Kamyan on Malaiman road about 8 kilometres from Amphoe U Thong. It has been established to promote the support of cottage and handicraft industries in Suphan Buri and other nearby provinces in the western region. Many fine handicrafts are on display and on sale.

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