Nonthaburi Attractions and Travel Guide

Attractions

Kanchanaphisek Park

This public park is located beyond Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat. It covers an area of 40 acres. The park was built by the Treasury Department to mark the 50th anniversary of the accession to the throne of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and as a recreation spot for the public. The park has a fine collection of water plants, garden plants and underwater animals. The park is open daily from 06.00 to 18.00 hrs. Admission is free.

The royal landing is near the reception pavilion. This is a walk-through pavilion with a four-corner tiered roof and surrounded by three traditional carved wooden pavilions.

The attractive three pavilions that are made of teak are primed with genuine gold leaves and decorated with colorful glass. They were used to hold many royal functions. Nearby, a group of teak Thai houses built in noble Thai style can be seen.

At the corner near the river is a former residence of Nonthaburi's governor and is the entry to the delightful ambience fruit farms include during, mangosteen, jackfruit, and sweet coconut. Getting There

By Car  Drive along Bang Kruai-Sai Noi route, and turn to Nonthaburi Pier, road signs will be seen all the way. From Bangkok, cross over Phra Nangklao Bridge to Bang Phlu junction, turn left to Suan Kaeo temple, and then follow the road signs to Kanchanaphisek Park.

By Boat Take a regular long tail boat from Nonthaburi Pier along Bang Yai Canal. The boat departs every 20 minutes from Nonthaburi Pier. The trip takes around 5 minutes. The fare is 7 baht.

Wat Amphawan 
 
Wat Amphawan from the late Ayutthaya period was formerly called Wat Bang Muang. The most striking feature is a wooden scripture hall in the middle of a pond. This most complete example of Thai architecture has 2 rooms. Some of the features of the hall are wooden bars, a two-tiered roof covered with earthen tiles and woodcarving with exquisite designs.

The entrance door is primed with gold leaves, the mullion is crafted into flowers and gourds, above the doors are birds on each side, and beyond them the radiant sun and moon are depicted. At the rear, a tray on a pedestal and wooden Buddha images are housed.

Wat Suan Kaeo 

Wat Suan Kaeo is a Buddhism diffusion centre. An innovative monk named Phra Phisal Dhamma Phati or Phra Phayom Kanlayano has initiated several projects for the Suan Kaeo Foundation. The Foundation aims to upgrade living standards of the poor and to develop society. Successful projects include the Rom Pho Kaeo, the shelter for the elderly, the supermarket for the poor, and the Suan Kaeo nursery projects. For donation and tours, contact tel. 0 2595 1444.

Getting there: The temple is reached by driving over Phra Nang Klao Bridge, turn left at the second intersection for 2 kilometres. Taking no.63 bus from Victory Monument is also another way to the peaceful temple.

Wat Pho Bang O

Wat Pho Bang O is a charming old temple dating from the Ayutthaya period that is accessible via a 200-metre walk from the temples pier. It is in a dilapidated condition, but is being renovated by the Fine Arts Department. During the reign of King Rama III, Prince Seni Borirak (the founder of the Seniwong family) renovated the temple. The chapel that shares a similar style with the Temple of the Emerald Buddha has pillars which point to the same direction in order to maintain the balance. The upper part of the chapel has woodcarving with Chinese patterns. The sandstone temple boundary markers are located around the chapel and every corner of the chapel is surrounded by pagodas. The door frames are decorated with beautiful sculptures that are made from sugarcane cement.

Kwan Aman

Considered as the Mon Cultural Centre, this pottery museum is notable for its large collection of the distinctive ancient Mon design ceramics. Mon people have always been skillful in pottery since their settlement in the delta of Irawadi River. Later, at the time of Mon’s installation to Thailand during the Thonburi era, pottery has become since then Nonthaburi’s oldest handicraft and symbol with the notably beautiful characteristic Mon design. Opened every day from 9 am. to 5 pm. For more information, please call 0 2584 5086.

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. Tourists can also enjoy the show on how to make Thai desserts and shopping all the sweetmeats as souvenirs from Khlong Khanom Wan. 

The Lame animals Aid Foundation

The Lame animals Aid Foundation (fostered by Luangta Maha Bua) Being nowadays a home of 800 dogs and 150 cats, the foundation situated at 15/1 Mu 1, Soi Phramahakarun, Tiwanon Rd. is pleased to accept any kind of donations such as money, newspapers, rice and etc. Besides, there are also several projects, for example; ‘To extend the cats & dogs lives, it takes only one bath per day!’, ‘I want Daddy and Mommy Project’. 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. For more details, please contact 0 2584 4896, 0 2961 5625, 0 2961 3799 Fax. 0 2961 5305.

The Horn Museum

A great collection of horns as well as antiques is displayed in this private museum located at 27/8 Mu 6, Pracharaj Rd., Tambon Talad Khwan. 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. Opened on weekend from 9 am. to 4 pm. The admission fee for adult is 100 baht and 50 baht. for children. For more details, please call 0 2526 2681, 0 2968 5956 Fax. 0 2526 5741.

Montri Tramote’s house or Ban Som Song Saeng

This house on Tiwanon 3 Road, Soi Phichayanan 2, Tambon Talad Khwan belongs to Kru Montri Tramote, notable Thai musician who lived during the reign of King Rama V until King Rama IX. Acclaimed as a national artist in 1985, he composed more than 200 songs including the most famous one called ‘Som Song Saeng’. 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.  This warmly pleasant house is still lived by his descendants. But in the same compound, an area is served as an exhibition of Kru Montri Tramote’s biography, works and the whole original copies of his songs including the one firstly composed at the age of 20 and the last one written when he was 91 years old. Nowadays, the house is also opened as a Thai musical school every weekend. Besides, on second Sunday of February every year there will be a ceremony of showing respect to Thai musical teachers which is free of charge. 

Museum and the Thai Traditional Medical Training Centre

This museum is located in the Ministry of Public Health on Tiwanon Road. 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. 

Room 1. Phra Phaisachakuruwaitunyaprapha  Hall : the link between buddhist believes and  Thai traditional medical profession
Room 2. Thai Traditional Medical Training Hall :  the traditional
ceremony of showing respect towards traditional medical teachers
Room 3. Evolution of Thai Traditional Medical Profession (from the Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, Thonburi to Rattanakosin period)
Room 4. Thai Intelligence in the 4 Regional Medical Profession
Room 5. Thai Traditional Massage : history and equipments
Room 6. Thai Traditional Cuisine : right food for right seasons
Room 7. Medicines : traditional and  herbal medicines

In the basement area, there are meeting rooms, library, and bookstore. The natural products and healthy food can be shopped on the first floor of the museum which is also the location of the Thai Medical Profession Healthy Centre, Thai Traditional Medical Remedy and Herbal Sauna and Thai Massage Service with the possibility of being member. Opened daily from 8.30 am. to 5 pm. Healthy and Treatment Massage for B.200., Feet Massage for B.150. For more details, please contact 0 2590 2606.
What’s more, the museum, which is surrounded by a garden of thousand kinds of herbs, sells herbal food, clean and clear from toxic vegetables and herbal medicines. For those who are interested in taking courses in Thai traditional medical profession, body or feet massage can apply to the Institute of Thai Medical Profession Healthy Centre for a certification of the Ministry of Public Health. For more information, please call 0 2591 0598-9.

The Prathom-Nonthaburi Palace

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. At the first place, this palace found its location in Bangkok till 1984 then was moved to Nonthaburi.  Within the same compound, there is another palace where a gilded hall places a more than 100-year-old harp of Prince Juthathutharadilok. For more details, please call 0 2589 7173.

Wat  Saeng  Siritham  Floating  Market

A  floating  market  on  Rattanathibet-tha  It  Marker   Road, Tambon  Tha  It  intends  to  promote  the  local  products  from  the  vicinity  of  the  temple  as  well  as  from  Ko  Kret.  This  floating  market  is  a  wonderful  place  for  relaxation  not  far  from  Bangkok. Opened  on  weekend  and  national  holidays  from 6 am. to  5 pm.

Wat Sao Thong Thong
 
Wat Sao Thong Thong was formerly called Wat Suan Mak .The temple was the first elementary school in Pak Kret. Behind the chapel lies the highest pagoda in Pak Kret. It is surrounded by two smaller pagodas. Beside the chapel, there are 2 large pagodas; one is a bell-shaped Lankan-style pagoda; another is a square-based pagoda. The chapel has beautiful gold-colored ceiling murals. The main Buddha image is a plaster image in the Man Wichai posture. The Mon people call this temple Phia A Lat.Wat Chim Phli consists of a small attractive chapel, which is still in good condition. The upper part of the chapel has woodcarving depicting an angel riding a chariot surrounded by floral patterns. The doorway has a pyramid (Mondop) shape). The windows are still lovely and the building base is in the shape of a junks hull. Wat Phai Lom was built in the late Ayutthaya period. A magnificent chapel features wood flower patterns. In front of the building are 2 small pagodas in the shape of a carambola fruit with a square base and plaster designs. Mons call this temple Phia To.

Khlong Khanom Wan 

Khlong Khanom Wan and other canals have homes that specialize in making sweets for sale and demonstrations to tourists.

The Institute of Thai Traditional Medicine 

The Institute of Thai Traditional Medicine (ITTM) was legally in the Office of Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Health located in Tiwanont Road, Amphoe Muang, Nonthaburi. ITTM bringing to develop and promote Thai traditional medicine and herbs more quality, standard, integrating into the national health care service system and alternative health for people taking care their health.

ITTM is open everyday 08.30 a.m. - 04.30 p.m. (please place the ticket before noon). Admission is 30 baht for Thai (adult), 15 baht for children and 150 baht for foreigner. Further more information, please contact 66 2591 1095 or www.ittm.or.th

Anthropology Museum 

 is the first natural history museum of Thailand and was built in 1961. It is located behind the former City Hall and features exhibits on the evolution of plants, animals, human beings, and the earth. Artifacts include Buddha images as well as antique porcelains. The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 08.30 to 16.30. It is closed on Sunday, Monday, and public holidays. Admission is free.

Getting there: Take non air-conditioned buses no. 63, 97, and 203 and air-conditioned buses no. 9 and 126. Contact tel. 184 for more information on buses. Boat passengers can get off at Nonthaburi Pier.

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