Central Thailand SARABURI
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.
Crocodile Farm and Zoo
Crocodile Farm and Zoo is on the same route to Wat Phra Phutthachai and located near the east of Khao Phra Phutthachai. The farm consists of a crocodile breeding pond and has various species of animals such as deer, monkeys, and birds.
Khao Khrok
The park has mountains of various sizes and plains in the valley. The highest peak is Khao Khrok which is some 329 metres high. Visitors can see a clear view of the town and neighbouring districts from here. The park is also home to pheasants, jungle fowls, barking deer, monkeys, wild boars, and birds of various species, especially Princess Sirindhorn Bird or the White-eyed River Martin. Khao Sam Lan National Park offers several waterfalls: Sam Lan waterfall is a wide stone plateau that falls down 3 levels and is similar to stairs. Pho Hin Dat waterfall is 300 metres from the park office and has a wide stone plateau and a single-level waterfall which is suitable for swimming. Ton Rak Sai waterfall is some 300 metres from the park office and 500 metres from Pho Hin Dat waterfall, and originates from the same stream as Pho Hin Dat waterfall. The lively stream flows through Pho Hin Dat waterfall before running into Ton Rak Sai waterfall, a 7-metre one-level waterfall. Touring around these attractive waterfalls can be made within 2-3 hours on walking trails where visitors will not have to use the same trail on their return.
In addition, there are other splendid waterfalls that can be reached by walking for some distance from the park office: Khao Daeng waterfall (800 ms.), Kuak Ma waterfall (2 kilometres), Krok I Wo waterfall (3 kilometres), and Nang Chon waterfall (6 kilometres)
The park offers camping sites for eighty persons (visitors must bring sleeping bags by themselves). For visitors who bring their own tents, the park accommodates campsites. Call the National Park Division, Royal Forestry Department, Bang Khen at 0-2561-4292 ext. 724-725, 0-2579-5734 and 0-2579-7223.
Khao Sam Lan National Park
Khao Sam Lan National Park covers 4 districts: Mueang, Kaeng Khoi, Nong Khae, and Wihan Daeng and occupies an area of 44 square kilometers. It was declared a national park on June 2, 1981. October to January (winter season in Thailand) is the best time to visit. Located 16 kilometres south of the town along the Bangkok-Saraburi route Highway No. 1 (Mittraphap Road), it is accessible by routes along Km. 102 or Km. 104. The National Park can also be reached by taking the bus to Saraburi town, and then renting a van or a local truck to the park.
Phra Phutnirokhantrai
Phra Phutnirokhantrai is the Buddha image of the East enshrined in Chaturamuk Hall. It is one of the most important Buddha images that His Majesty King Bhumibol granted to the Saraburi people.
Phu Khae Botanical Garden
Phu Khae Botanical Garden is located in Phu Khae district, 17 kilometres from town along the Saraburi-Lop Buri route (Phahonyothin Road). It collects various kinds of plants for study and breeding. The vast expanse of garden and the flowing stream are suitable places for relaxation. The garden is open daily from 08.00-18.00.
Tham Si Wilai
Tham Si Wilai is in Wat Tham Si Wilai at Tambon Na Phra Lan, some 22 kilometres from Saraburi town. The cave houses Phra Phutthanaowarat, a Buddha image of the Chiang Saen period as well as beautiful stalactite and stalagmite formations. From here, visitors could appreciate scenic views of mountain ranges.
Wat Phra Phutthachai
Wat Phra Phutthachai is on Khao Patthawi in Tambon Nong Pla Lai. It can be reached by taking the same route as Khao Sam Lan National Park. At Km. 102, there is a 5-km. access road and then follow the road sign. It enshrines Phra Phutthachai or the picture of Lord Buddha appearing on a cliff wall. A cone-shaped structure or Mondop was built to cover the picture. Stairs were built from the temple area to the Mondop and go onward to the cliff that is over the Mondop. There are interesting prehistoric paintings on the cliff: behind the door area, there are drawings of animals (deer). Beside the door, there are pictures of hands and symbols. The west of Phra Phutthachai is the Ascetic Cave, where there are paintings of chickens, Buddha images and symbols. The Cho Po Ro cliff wall has large, sophisticated drawings like the paintings of the prehistoric period that were found at Pha Taem in Ubon Ratchathani. The drawings were painted with wood oil, dating from 3,000 years ago. They represent the communication symbols of the same group and presumably were ritual mediums and reflect the beliefs of people of those times.
World War II Memorial of the Japanese Army (Khao Daeng)
World War II Memorial of the Japanese Army (Khao Daeng) is located in Khao Sam Lan National Park, next to the south of Wat Phra Phutthachai. There are bomb craters from made by Japanese forces in World War II.
Hae Phra Khiao Kaeo , or Celebrations of Lord Buddha’s Tooth. Buddhists believe that “Phra Khiao Kaeo” is the tooth of Lord Buddha. The festival is held on the first day of the waxing moon in the fourth month of the lunar calendar. The people of Amphoe Phra Phutthabat will present the tooth that is to be taken from Wat Phra Phutthabat Ratchaworamahawihan Museum and bear it in a procession around the town. They believe that if the procession is held, they will live in wealth and happiness.
Tak Bat Dok Mai , the Food Offering Festival, is an important event of Phra Phutthabat district. This impressive merit-making ceremony is held to coincide with the start of the annual three-month Buddhist Lent (around June-July) when Buddhist monks must stay in their temples. In the morning, the people will offer food and candles to Wat Phra Phutthabat Ratchaworamahawihan, Tambon Khun Khon, Phra Phutthabat district. They will go to collect a kind of flower called “The Flower of Buddhist Lent”, to offer to the monks for merit. The herb-like flower has yellow or white colors and is found at a hillside only during the Buddhist Lent period in Saraburi. While the monks come along the passage to bring the flowers to pay homage to Lord Buddha’s Footprint, people will wait at the stairs with a bowl of clean water floating Mimusops. They will pour the water onto the feet of the monks and the novices as a means of cleaning one’s mind.
Phra Phutthabat Homage-paying Festival Stems from the time when Lord Buddha’s Footprint was found in the reign of King Songtham of Ayutthaya. The mondop was built to cover the footprint. At present, the footprint is situated at Wat Phra Phutthabat Ratchaworamahawihan, Tambon Khun Khon. A large number of Thais and foreigners come to Phra Phutthabat during the event. The event is held twice a year: from the first day till the fifteenth day of the waxing moon in the third month of the lunar calendar totalling 15 days; and from the eighth day until the fifteenth day of the waxing moon in the fourth month of the lunar calendar for 8 days.
Chao Pho Khao Tok Festival or Chao Pho Khao Tok Procession is an annual festival. The event features the supernatural power performances of Chao Pho Khao Tok and walking on fire, Lo Ko dragon parade, and Chinese opera. Mostly Chinese people, especially the pupils of Chao Pho Khao Tok, will come to join the festival. The event is held from the first day of the waxing moon in the fourth month of the lunar calendar for 4 days at Wat Phra Phutthabat Ratchaworamahawihan in Phra Phutthabat district.
Kam Fa Festival is held on the second day of the waxing moon in the third month of the lunar calendar. The festival features folk entertainments and activities including a pitch and toss game, cockfighting, toasting ricein bamboo, etc. On the third day of waxing moon in the third month of the lunar calendar, people perform merit making and attend sermons, cook and tell stories about ancestors. The festival takes place annually at Tambon Phai Lio, Don Phut district.
Songkran Song Nam Sao Nang Takian Wat Sung is held annually on April 23 in front of Wat Sung’s chapel, Sao Hai district. People perform merit making by pouring water to the elders and to Nang Takian pillar.
Pa Sak Boat Racing Festival is a major annual regatta that takes place in front of Sao Hai district office’s pier on the last Saturday or Sunday of September. Famous boats from all over the country join in the race. This festival preserves local tradition.
Distances from Amphoe Muang to neighbouring Amphoes :
Sao Hai 8 kilometres
Kaeng Khoi 15 kilometres
Chaloem Phra Kiat 20 kilometres
Nong Khae 21 kilometres
Nong Saeng 25 kilometres
Phra Phutthabat 28 kilometres
Wihan Daeng 28 kilometres
Ban Mo 30 kilometres
Muak Lek 38 kilometres
Nong Don 38 kilometres
Don Phut 42 kilometres
Wang Muang 64 kilometres
Distances from Saraburi to neighbouring provinces:
Lop Buri 46 kilometres
Nakhon Nayok 58 kilometres
Prachin Buri 86 kilometres
Nakhon Ratchasima 152 kilometres
Car
By Car: From Bangkok, take Highway No. 1 (Phahonyothin) to the traffic roundabout at Bang Pa- In, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, and then turn right to Mittraphap Road, which is some 60 kilometers from Saraburi town.
Bus
By Bus: There are many daily regular buses and air-conditioned coaches from the Northeastern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit 2) on Kamphaeng Phet II Road. Call : 0-2537-8055 for more information.
Train
By Train: From Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lamphong), there are daily Bangkok-Saraburi trains. A stop at Kaeng Khoi and Muak Lek could also be made. Call the Travel Service Bureau at 0-2223-7010 or 0-2223-7020 for more information.
Food and Dairy Products
Food and Dairy Products : Products from the Dairy Farming Promotion Organisation of Thailand , Muak Lek cooperatives and private organizations are sold, including sweet beef, salted beef, curry puff, vegetables and seasonal fruit like Nong Saeng mangoes, oranges, watermelons, custard apple, and cauliflowers. They are sold at Muak Lek district and the markets.
Local Hand-Woven Fabrics
Local Hand-Woven Fabrics : The distinctive style of northeastern fabrics like Tin Chok silk and Matmi silk of the Thai Yuan people are sold at Tambon Ton Tan, Tambon Sao Hai, Tambon Tao Phun in Khaeng Khoi district and Tambon Nong Khae in Phra Phutthabat district.
Weaving Basketry
Bamboo and Reed Mat Weaving Basketry
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