Ang Thong Attractions and Travel Guide

Attractions

Wat Khun Inthapramun

Is located in Tambon Inthapramun.  It is an ancient temple constructed in the Sukhothai period.  Considering the original line of brick remains, it is estimated to be a large temple.  The largest and longest reclining Buddha in Thailand, 50 meters from the topknot to the feet, is enshrined here.  Originally, the reclining Buddha image was housed in the wihan, but this temple was on fire and was left deserted with the Buddha image in the open for centuries.  The image features and size are similar to those of Phranon Chaksi, a reclining Buddha image in Sing Buri Province.  Therefore, it is assumed to have been constructed in the same period.  The image possesses attractive Buddha features with a serene smiling face attracting respectfulness and faithfulness from people.  Thai kings went to pay homage to the image e.g. King Borommakot in 1753, King Rama V in 1878 and 1908.  The present king came to present the royal Kathin robes in 1973 and again in 1975.  Buddhists from all over the country always make their visits to worship the image.

Moreover, within Wat Khun Inthapramun compound, there are historical remains of basement, some parts of walls, and Buddha image in Luangpho Khao wihan.  Inside the all-purpose pavilion, there is a statue of Khun Inthapramun and the skeleton found in the wihan of the reclining Buddha image in 1998 lying on his face with his hands and feet tied up.  People believe that this skeleton is of Khun Inthapramun, but some say it is not.  According to the legend, Khun Inthapramun was a revenue officer who secretly embezzled the government tax to build this reclining Buddha image as a holy object.  When the King asked how he obtained the fund from, Khun Inthapramun did not reveal the truth because he was afraid that his merit from building the image would be passed on to the King.  He was finally sentenced to death.  And the temple was then called Wat Khun Inthapramun.

Wat Siroi

Is located on the bank of the Noi River, at Mu 4, Tambon Siroi. Follow Highway No. 3454 km.31-32 (on Pho Phraya Tha ruea or Ang Thong Wiset Chai Chan route about 12.5 km. kilometers to the west of Amphoe Mueang Ang Thong, take a left turn along the irrigation canal road for 5 kilometers).  At Wai Siroi, there is a seated Buddha image in the posture of Pa Lelai, called Luangpho To -  21 meters high and 6 meters wide from knee to knee.  Inside of the ubosot, there used to have exquisite mural paintings by the craftsmanship of painters school in Ayutthaya.  At present, the paintings have been faded away.

Wat Oi

Is an old temple representing a symbol of Mueang Wiset Chai Chan locating at Mu 10, Tambon Sanchao Rongthong, on the west bank of the Noi River.  Follow Highway No. 3454 for approximately 2 kilometers and 1 kilometer from the north of Wat Khian.  The temple is assumed to have been constructed in the Ayutthaya period, but there is no evidence by the reign of which king.  The ubosot is a huge building consisting of 6 chambers made of brick and plaster in ancient design.  The roofs were made of wood and covered with fire-clay tiles, as beautiful as the ubosot of Wat Ratchaburana in Ayutthaya.  With Maha-ut design, there is no window in the ubosot.  Special features of the ubosot are the pillars of the gallery in 8 directions.  The principal Buddha image, called Luangpho Dam, is made of alloy of brass and tin.  Wat Oi was used as a venue to hold the ceremony of taking the oath of allegiance to the king in the Ayutthaya period.  In the precincts of Wat Oi, the Children Creation Foundation has provided accommodation for problem children: straying, drug addicted, or illegally behaved.  The accommodation is called Ban Dek Klai Wat with the purpose of helping problem children to live better life.  They can live with the beauty of natural surroundings and monks help to treat them mentally.

Wat Khian

Is another ancient temple locating at Mu 8, Tambon Sanchao Rongthong, near Wat Wiset Chai Chan, which is 12 kilometers from Amphoe Mueang.  Follow Highway No. 3454 for approximately 1 kilometer.  Inside the ubosot are exquisite mural paintings featuring stories of 10 former incarnations of the Lord Buddha, which were presumably the workmanship of a painter school in Mueang Wiset Chai Chan in the late Ayutthaya period.  The painting features are similar to those painted in the same period being in the ubosot to Wat Ko and Wat Yai Suwannaram in Phetchburi Province.

Wat Ban Phran

Is located in Tambon Sriphran.  Take Pho Thong Sawaeng Ha route (Highway No. 3054) Km 21-22. It is unknown when this ancient temple was built.  Regarding to Luangpu Chaimongkons (from Ayutthaya) narration, a couple called Mr. Phan and Mrs. Ngoen and their son, Mr. Krapukthong constructed Wat Ban Phran at the end of Sukhothai era during 1319-1327.  After that, this temple was deserted and was overspread with thick weeds and trees for over 100 years.  When hunters set up small village in this area, they helped renovate this temple.  There is a legend saying that the laterite Buddha image called Luangpho Kraithong enshrined in this wihan was built by King Sri Intharathit in Sukhothai and removed into separated parts for assembly again as the principal Buddha image in Wat Ban Phran.  Since the founder would like to build his own principal image, he constructed wihan to house the Buddha image called Luangpho Kraithong.  Krai represents the robe, and shoulder clothes of Luangpho Kraithong.  Some fine days at midnight, Krai will turn into sparkling light indicating good luck for those who happen to see.  It is believed to be a sacred one being able to protect the worshippers from danger.

Ban Khu Mueang

Is located in Tambon Ban Phai, 4 kilometers from the north of Sawaeng Ha District and 3 kilometers from Bang Rachan stockade.  At Ban Khu Mueang, archaeologists discovered ruins of an ancient city, which presumably existed during Thwarawadi period.  Its evidence shows a wide ancient moat and earthen mound, some fragments of pottery, animal bones, beads, and medicine grinding stone.  At present, it is a simple canal without any traces of historical sites.

Wat Pho Thong

Is located in Ban Pho Thong, Tambon Khamyat, opposite the entrance of Ban Bangchaocha, 9 kilometers from Amphoe Mueang on Ang Thong Pho Thong route.  In the royal chronicle, Wat Pho Thong was the place where Krommakhun Phornphinit (Prince Uthumphorn or Khunluang Hawat) entered his monkshood.  King Rama VI spent his summer vacation in this temple during his boat trip visiting the Noi River and Yai River in Krungkao precinct in 1916.

Phra Tamnak Khamyat

Is located in Tambon Khamyat, 2.5 kilometers west of Wat Pho Thong on Ayutthaya Pho Thong Road.  At present only four walls of the royal residence remain.  The 10x20 meters royal residence, made of brick and plaster, stands eminent in a paddy field.  The artistic beauty still remains e.g. motifs around the window, front and back balcony, was painted in red soil and covered with wooden floor.  Regarding his diary about the trip on the Makhamthao River, King Rama V visited Phra Tamnak Khamyat in 1908, he understood that Krommakhun Phornphinit (Prince Uthumphorn or Khunluang Hawat) entered his monkshood at Wat Pho Thong and built this residence for his lodging during the Buddhist Lent since it was a strategic site.  Having seen that the residence was exquisitely constructed, King Rama V then changed his mind.  He realized that Krommakhun Phornphinit should not have had this residence built so exquisitely for a temporary lodging or a stronghold.  King Rama V surmised that this residence might have been constructed in the reign of King Borommakot as his residence during his frequent visits to this area, in parallel to King Prasatthong who constructed his residence in Bang Pa-In.  Due to his preference in this area and paying homage to the reclining in Wat Khun Inthapramun twice, Krommakhun Phornphinit (Prince Utumphorn or Khunluang Hawat) made his loyal subjects and monks to leave Ayutthaya and stayed at Wat Pho Thong Khamyat and Phra Tamnak Khamyat in order to join with Bang Rachan villagers.  At present, Department of Fine Arts has renovated and registered Phra Tamnak Khamyat as a historical site.

Wat Chantharangsi

Is located in Ban Na, Mu 9, Tambon Huaphai from the Asian Highway intersection entering Amphoe Mueang approximately 1 kilometer.  When you see the sign of the road, take another 1 kilometer to reach this temple.  Areas of this temple cover both sides of the road.  On one side, there is a sacred Buddha image called Luangpho Yok.  On the other side, it locates wihan of Luangpho Sod which housing the metal image, the largest of its kind in the world, was constructed in 1996.  This golden Buddha image has a lap width of approximately 6 meters and 9 inches, and a height of 9.9 meters.

Wat Mathurotsatiyaram

Is located on the Asian Highway (Highway No. 32).  From Asian Highway, when passing the intersection to Ang Thong province for approximately 500 meters to Nakhon Sawan province, turn right into PTT gas station for about 30 meters.  This temple is formerly called Wat Kuti locating on the bank of the Prakamthong River, an ancient river currently called the Chao Phraya River.  This temple was assumed to have been constructed in the late Ayutthaya period.  The only evidence remains are crystal wall, ubosot, chedi, and wihan standing on the appropriate positions with magnificent figures.  The 4x8 meters ubosot is built in the Chinese junk figure using brick and plaster, and the 6-meter roof is covered with fire-clay tiles.  Luxurious arts of the ubosot are the carved angel pressing his hands together on top of lotus motifs in the center of front and back gables.

Wat Sa Kaeo

Is located in Tambon Bang Sadet approximately 200 meters away from Wat Tha Sutthawat along the irrigation canal road.  If travel from Ayutthaya using Ayutthaya Ang Thong route (Highway No. 309) Km 39-40, entrance to the temple will be on the left side.  This temple was constructed in 1699 when it was originally named Wat Sakae.  This temple has become the orphans care center with many children under supervision. Therefore, Wat Sa Kaeo Orphanage Li Gay troupe has been established for earning income to cover the expenses in bringing up themselves, which in turn makes this temple become well known.  Inside Wat Sa Kaeo, there is Samakkhisamakhan building, which is a center for hand woven fabrics project under Her Majesty the Queens initiation established in 1981, currently under the supervision of Cottage Industry Section, Ministry of Industry.  Also, there are good-quality woven clothes e.g. sarong, bathing cloth, etc.  In front of the temple is the location of Amphoe Pa Mok Cultural Center, providing demonstration of weaving, silverware and court doll production, and agriculture produce from housewives e.g. banana.  This represents the dissemination of Amphoe Pa Mok workmanship skills to be known and sold to the public.  Both attractions are open daily from 8 am. 4 pm.  For more information, please contact Wat Sa Kaeo at Tel.0 3566 1169,0 3566 1273 or Wat Sa Kaeo School at Tel. 0 3566 1950-1 or email : Wat_Sakaew@hotmail.com.

Ang Thong Brick

Is a high quality household industry for domestic sales.  Most people use this kind of brick to decorate external parts of the buildings and houses.  Those who are interested can buy the bricks directly from the factory.  There are more than 42 factories in Amphoe Pa Mok along Highway No. 3501 Km 1-9 and Highway No. 309 Km 43-47.

Wat Ratchapaksi (Nok) 

Is located on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River.  Take Highway No. 309 (Ang Thong to Ayutthaya) Km 52-53 from Amphoe Mueang 3-4 kilometers to the south.  In this temple, there is a large reclining Buddha similar to the one enshrined in Wat Pa Mok, but of a little smaller size.  The image was assumed to have been constructed during the Ayutthaya period.  The original image was badly ruined and was renovated as shown.  There is another Buddha image built during the reign of King Songtham, approximately in 1620, which was formerly placed on the bank of the Chao Phraya River.  Prior, the image was fallen into the river, Phra Maha Wichian Khannak and Buddhist devouts moved the image to the current temple in 1947.  Later the construction of wihan had been completed in 1959 after struggling through various obstacles.  The image was then renamed as Phra Rod Wachira Molee and has been remained for everybody to worship and pay homage.

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