Nonthaburi Attractions and Travel Guide

Attractions

Wat Chalo 

Established in the reign of King Barommagot of Ayutthaya period in the form of argosy, the temple is famous for its notably world’s biggest sworn-boat chapel.   For more details, please contact 0 2447 5121, 0 2883 9277.

Wat Ku

This Mon style temple located on the bank of the Chao Phraya River in Tambon Bang Pud was constructed in the Thonburi period.  Inside the old chapel, the walls are finely decorated with paintings in Mon style. The temple is known as the area where the shipwreck of King Rama V’s queen took place. Therefore, a palace has been built to commemorate  her death. Her body was temporarily placed in the monastery before Lying-in-State in Bangkok. The ship was salvaged later and kept in the dock near Wiharn’s edifice enshrining a big reclining buddha. There is also a pavilion constructed as another remembrance to her death imitating Phra Thi Nang Aisawanthippaya Asna. in Bang Pa In Palace. 

Sri Nakarin’s Park A park

Sri Nakarin’s Park A park named after his majesty King Rama IX’s mother. With an area of about 41 acres, it is a huge public park where an enormous pond is surrounded by various plants making the place shady and peaceful for relaxation. Opened daily to public.

Wat Tamnak Tai

Another ancient temple is situated in Tambon Tha Sai on Sanam Bin Nam Road. According to the history, prior to the construction of  this monastery, this area used to serve as King Krung Thonburi’s temporary royal pavilion. It is assumed that the Wiharn and the belfry were constructed in 1824 in the period of King Rama III.

Wat Chompuweg

This monastery is located in Tambon Tha Sai, on Sanam Bin Nam-Nonthaburi Road. The temple’s old name was Chompuwiweg because of its location on a tranquil hill. Built in the late Ayutthaya era by Mon in 1757, Wat Chompuweg still has the beautiful mural paintings in the Wiharn and Ubosot, as well as the Mon style pagodas constructed by Mon monks in 1917.

Wat Chotikaram

Wat Chotikaram Constructed in 1807 in Tambon Bang Phai, Wat Chotikaram’s old name was Wat Sam Chin. The most beautiful spot of this monastery is Viharn Song Rong where not only the walls, but also floor and ceiling are covered with splendid mural paintings.

Wat Sangkhatan

This monastery in Tambon Bang Phai possibly named Wat Sarikho in the late Ayutthaya period was built in Ceylonese Style by skillful craftsmen. The most notable spots of this temple are the glass Ubosot and the boat-shaped monk cells in a pleasantly shady area that tranquility is absolutely accessible.  For more information, please call 0 2447 0799.

Wat  Poramaiyikawat  Museum

The  museum  displays  various  interesting  items  such as  votive   tablets, crystal  ware , porcelains including     " hem "  , a master  piece  of  art  made  by  Colonel  Chatwat  Ngamniyom.Some  say  that  Hem  must  be  created  by  Mon  who  had  an  inspiration  from  the  coffin  but  the  hem  of  monks  is  different  with  a  tiny  window  where  the  body  can  be  seen  from  outside. Opening  time  is  Monday  to  Friday  from  1 pm.- 4 pm. and 9 am.- 5 pm.  on weekend.For  more  information, please call  0 2584 5120.

Wat Chonprathan Rangsarit 

Wat Chonprathan Rangsarit is a peaceful temple located in the vicinity of Tambon Bang Talat, Amphoe Pak Kret on the Nonthaburi-Ha Yaek Pak Kret Road. Its multi-purpose bamboo shade compound is always popular with Buddhists who come to offer food to the monks and listen to the sermons given by the abbot, Phra Thep Wisutthi Methi (Panya Nandha Bhikku).

Ko Kret

Ko Kret or Kret island in the Chao Phraya River was created from the digging of a canal around a cape of the Chao Phraya River. In 1722, during the reign of King Thaisa of Ayutthaya, the island was called Khlong Lat Kret Noi which means a shortcut to Kret canal. Later, the current diverted, making the canal larger and turning the cape there into an island.

Ko Kret has prospered since the Ayutthaya period as evident from the many temples on the island that are from that period. However, it may have been deserted when the Burmese sacked Ayutthaya. When Ayutthaya was reclaimed, King Taksin the Great relocated the Mon people who found religion here. The Mon people on the island came during the Thon Buri period and during the reign of King Rama II.

Chao Phraya Express Boat Co., Ltd. organises one day trip cruising to Koh Kred from Sathorn Pier every Saturdan and Sunday. Prices: Adult 300 baht, Child 250 baht. For more information call 0 2623 6143 or 0 2623 6001-3, 0 2225 3003, 0 2222 5330 ext. 106 or visit http://www.chaophrayaboat.co.th

Wat Prasat 

Wat Prasatwas built in the reign of King Narai the Great (of the late Ayutthaya period). The ubosot possesses sophisticated craftsmanship: the upper part features a divine god riding garuda, the finial is decorated in Mon style while a royal lion is depicted beside the finial. The sampan-shaped ubosot base used no drilling during the construction. The reason behind the unusual shape of the building is that the shape would easily allow cool air to replace heat when it rises.

The mural paintings here from the late Ayutthaya period are the works of advanced artists of the province. They are currently the oldest paintings of Nonthaburi. This temple has correctly preserved buildings and art. It is, therefore, a place of study for both Thais and foreigners. On the education building is a pulpit that is as old as the chapel.

Getting there: It is located on the Bang Kruai-Sai Noi Road, Tambon Bang Krang.

If taking a boat, the temple is accessible by walking through fruit orchards for 2 kilometres or if taking a car (more convenient), from Nonthaburi Pier get a ferry then a Song Thaeo of the Bang Yai-Tha Nam line. The stop is near Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat.

Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat
 
This temple is a royal monastery located to the west of the Chao Phraya River. It was constructed under the royal command of King Rama III to dedicate to his mother and grandparents who resided in this area. The construction was completed in the reign of King Rama IV. The combination of Thai and Chinese-style ubosot (chapel) can be seen in an attractively peaceful temple compound. This unique architectural ubosot possesses an earthen mosaics roof of natural colors, which had been laid in a Chinese style and beautiful Chinese mosaics crafted into a striking flower on its upper part.

The chapel consists of a colorful mural painting of falling flowers, door and window panels have lacquered gold leaf designs, gables have raised plaster flower designs, the floor is decorated with mirrors, and the inside part of the door and window panels has drawings of lotuses, birds and aquatic animals.

The main Buddha image enshrined in this chapel is in the Sadung Man posture. It is made entirely of copper. According to legend, King Rama III commanded that copper be mined in Amphoe Chanthuk in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. A sizable quantity of high-grade copper was subsequently obtained. The king wished for the copper to be used in religious affairs and ordered the molding of Buddha images to be housed as main images within 2 new temples that were Wat Ratchanadda and Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat. He also ordered the molding of images in 34 other postures. The image at Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat was completed in 1846. However, misfortune accompanied the transfer of the main image to Wat Ratchanadda when the carriage carrying the image rolled over and killed Chao Phraya Yommarat (Bunnak) and 2 other officials. In the reign of King Rama IV, he named the image Phra Phutthamaha Lokaphinanthapatima to mark the tragedy.

In 1858, King Rama IV placed the main Buddha image in the royal chapel here. It is in the Man Wichai posture flanked by servants. It sits on a pedestal and is the only one of its kind.

Other interesting historical artifacts include a Lanka pagoda and Phra Si Maha Pho Phan Phothikhaya dating from the reign of King Rama IV can be seen in the temple.

Wat Khemaphirataram

Wat Khema Phirataram Ratchaworawihan is located on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River in Tambon Suan Yai, 2 kms. south of the town centre. The temple covers an area of 10.4 acres, its back facing Phibun Songkhram Road. The lovely temple was built during the Ayutthaya period and later in the reign of King Rama II, it was given the name Khema. Under Queen Srisuriyenthramats patronage, the temple was renovated.

In the reign of King Rama IV, it was renamed Wat Khema Phirataram as well as was refurbished.

Behind the ubosot lies the main 30-metre tall pagoda called Phra Maha Chedi containing Lord Buddhas relics and Ayutthaya-style Buddha images that were brought from Chan Kasem Palace. The Monthian Throne Hall and the Daeng Royal Residence can be seen in the temple compound.

Getting there: The temple is accessible by various buses. For more information on buses contact tel. 184. Alternatively, take a Rewadi-Pak Nam local truck (Song Thaeo) line or the Chao Phraya Express Boat, get off at Nonthaburi Pier, and then ride no. 203 bus or take a ferry from Bang Si Muang pier to Nonthaburi Pier, and then connect with another no. 203 bus.

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