| Vol.
24 No. 22 |
Chachoengsao |
| The
Province where the Holy Phra Phuttha Sothon is
enshrined |
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Even though it is less popular with foreign
tourists compared with other regions, the central region
of Thailand features many famous provincial attractions
like Nakhon Nayok, Saraburi and Lop Buri. Many provinces
can be reached by car within about an hour from Bangkok
while some others are accessible in an around two-hour
drive. So, the central region becomes an excellent choice
for a one-day trip. In this issue, Thaiways will present
to you Chachoengsao Province where the famous Phra Phuttha
Sothon Buddha image is housed.
The majestic marble ordination hall of
Wat Sothon Wararam
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Chachoengsao is also known as "Paet Riu".
It is a central province whose history can be traced
back to the reign of King Borom Trailokanat (reigning
from 1448 to 1488) of the Ayutthaya Period. The province
is fertile with several canals and a main river -- the
Bang Pakong River.
Attractions are divided according to the counties they
are situated in.
Muang
County
Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan is an
important temple of Thailand where thousands of Buddhists
flock to pay homage and to pray for blessing from the
holy Phra Phuttha Sothon Buddha image during weekends.
This is because the image is renowned for having divine
power to grant the worshippers' wishes. This graceful
image of the meditation position is enshrined in the
ordination hall together with the principal Buddha image.
The present ordination hall has been rebuilt in Carara
Italian marble in a new majestic design. The ceremony
to pay homage to Phra Phuttha Sothon is held three times
per year, i.e. 1. during the Chinese New Year (around
late January or February) 2. in the 5th Thai lunar month
(around April) 3. in the 12th Thai lunar month (around
late November).
Somdej Phra Sinagarin Park of Chachoengsao.
Photo by courtesy of TAT
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Somdej Phra Sinagarin Park of Chachoengsao
This 90-rai (36 acres) park is situated in front of
the Provincial Government House. Featuring a large pond,
a playground and colourful flowers, it is excellent
for recreation.
Wat Muang. Photo by courtesy of TAT
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Wat (temple) Muang (Wat Pitulathiraj Rangsarit)
in Na Muang District was established in the reign of
King Rama III (reigning 1824-1851). Its architectural
style is similar to that of the Temple of the Emerald
Buddha in Bangkok for the artisans were dispatched from
Bangkok.
Phra Trai Rattana Nayok, the principal
Buddha image of Wat U-phaipha Tikaram
(Photo by courtesy of the National Identity
Office.)
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Wat U-phaipha Tikaram (Wat Sampokong) This
is one of the three sacred temples housing Sampokong1,
the Chinese-style Buddha images, in Thailand where Chinese
tourists from Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan come to
pay homage to.
Wat Chin Pracha Samoson
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Wat Chin Pracha Samoson King Rama V (reigning
1868-1910) once visited this temple and bestowed it
the present name to use instead of the old one.
The highlights here are that the 21 Chinese-style Buddha
images were made from papier mache and were brought
from Shanghai in ancient times.
Ban Mai Market
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Ban Mai Market You can have a great time eating
and shopping in this some-100-year old market where
traditional shophouses are conserved. The market is
open on Saturdays and Sundays from around 08.00 o'clock
in the morning to evening. Recommended food are pet
(duck) phalo2, dim
sum, Chinese chive dumpling, Thai traditional style
ice cream and so on.
1One
is at Wat Kanlayanamit, Bangkok and another is at Wat
Phananchoeng, Ayutthaya. The god enshrined at these
temples is an eunuch in the Ming Court of China named
Zheng He (1371-1433), Sampokong being his title. During
the reign of Emporer Yongle, Zheng was sent to visit
the coastal countries in the South China Sea and the
Indian Ocean, leading a fleet of hundreds of ships and
an army of thousands of soldiers on seven occasions
(1405-1433). Thus, Zheng He was the first great navigator
of the world. On his second voyage in 1408, Zheng sailed
up to Ayutthaya and was granted an audience by the King
of Siam. In 1431 on his last voyage, Zheng visited a
southern port city of Siam, presumably Nakhon Si Thammarat.
But Zheng He was in fact a Muslim, not a Buddhist as
shown in various temples dedicated to him in Southeast
Asian countries.
2a Chinese-style steamed duck in herbs
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Bangkhla
County
King Taksin the Great Shrine and King Taksin
the Great Memorial Stupa are established in
1988 to commemorate King Taksin's victory over the Burmese
in 1767 at the Cholo River Mouth.
Wat Pho Bangkhla.
Photo by courtesy of TAT.
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Wat Pho Bangkhla is an old temple built around
1767 to remind people of the coming generations that
the area was used to be a camping ground for King Taksin's
troops. Visitors will find a lot of flying foxes perching
on branches of the trees.
Wat Chaeng is situated in Bangkhla
market. The art style of the ordination hall is Sino-Thai.
The establishing year is unknown but it was told that
on the way to Cambodia, King Rama I ordered to build
this temple when he and his troops stayed overnight
at the area.
A villager is climbing up a sugar
palm to get sugar palm sap.
Photo by courtesy of TAT.
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The Village of Sugar Palm Sap, located at Paknam
District, is a producer of ready-to-drink sugar palm
sap. You will see the villagers climbing up tall sugar
palms to get the sweet sugar palm sap and will see the
procedures to produce palm sugar in cakes.
Phanom
Sarakham County
Khao Hin Son Royal Development Study Centre,
at Km.51-52 on Highway 304, is a study centre initiated
by H.M. King Bhumibol. Its practical projects are
such as new plant species researches, land development
and livestock development. Also, there is a herbal
garden for researches and study on numerous plants.
Tourist accommodations are provided by the centre.
Sanam
Chaikhet County
Wat Phrathat Wayo (Wat Huai Namsap)
features a bell-shaped stupa, on the top of which,
a panoramic view of Chachoengsao can be seen. Nearby
is a small-sized Krathing Reservoir highlighting green
natural environment.
Tha
Takiap County
Krabok Khu Wildlife Nursery Centre
is where endangered species are bred and nurtured.
In the centre you will see monkey, gibbon, langur,
bear, peacock, etc. For a group visit, the centre
should be informed in advance. (Tel: 08 1867 7438)
Khao Ang Ruenai Wildlife Sanctuary straddles
643,750 rais (257,500 acres) of forest areas in five
provinces, viz. Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi
and Sakaeo. It serves as a water source of the Bang
Pakong River in Chachoengsao and the Prasae River
in Rayong. Several kinds of wild animals and birds
inhabiting the area. For more information, please
contact 081 983 8971.
Houses on raft can
be seen while you're
cruising in the Bang Pakong River.
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Eco-tourism in Chachoengsao
1. Cruising in the Bang Pakong River
During the cruise you can take a deep breath of fresh
air while enjoying the riverside view such as the largest
teak building in the province, the Residence of Khun
Maruphong Siriphat, old temples and houses on raft.
For more information, please contact 0 3851 4333, 0
3851 8881.
2. Cruising around Ko Lat (the island in the
middle of the Bang Pakong River) You will see local
life by the river. Interesting places you will pass
are such as King Taksin the Great Stupa and Wat Pho
Bangkhla. For more information, please contact 0 3854
1909.
Lovely dolphins at
Tha Kham Sub-county
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3. Cruising to meet lovely dolphins
Every year from November to February, lovely dolphins
can be seen here. The common species are Irrawaddy
dolphins and sometimes Indo-pacific humpback dolphins
are seen. For more information, please contact 0 3857
3411 to 2.
4. Visiting mango orchards The areas of mango
orchards in Chachoengsao count 86,000 rais (34,400
acres), which are among the largest mango-growing
areas of the country. Mangoes from Chachoengsao are
renowned to have good quality. If you wish to see
mangoes bearing fruits, you should go there around
March or April. For visiting the orchards, please
call 0 3851 1635.
How
to get there
You can choose one route from these two routes:
1. From Bangkok, use Highway 34 (Bang Na-Trat). Then
continue driving on Highway 314 (Bang Pakong-Chachoengsao).
The total distance is 90 km.
2. From Bangkok, go along Highway 304 (Bangkok-Minburi-Chachoengsao).
The total distance is 75 km.
• For further information
about these attractions, please contact TAT Central
Office Region 8 on tel: 0 3731 2282, 0 3731 2284.
• Special thanks to TAT Central
Office Region 8 for arranging an impressive trip to
Chachoengsao.
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