Monday, August 25, 2008

Attraction 2

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Wat Chaiyo Worawihan or Wat Ket Chaiyo
Wat Chaiyo Worawihan or Wat Ket Chaiyo, Ang Thong

Is located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, approximately 18 kilometers away from Amphoe Mueang Ang Thong, on Ang Thong Sing Buri route. This is the second-class royal monastery. Formerly it was a small ordinary temple constructed in the Ayutthaya period with the unknown building date. Later in the reign of King Rama IV, this temple was noted when Somdet Phra Phutthachan (To Phromrangsi) a revered monk of Wat Rakhangkhositaram in Thonburi constructed a large seated Buddha image in the posture of meditation made of white plaster. In the reign of King Rama V, His Majesty the King went to worship the image and had Wat Chaiyo renovated in 1887 but the vibration from ramming piles of the wihan caused the large Buddha image to collapse. The king then commanded to build a new large Buddha image following the pattern of the large Buddha image at Wat Kalayanamit. The new one has the lap width of 16.10 meters and the height (from radiance to feet) of 22.65 meters and was graciously named Phra Mahaphutthaphim. There was the biggest celebration for the image ever held in Ang Thong at that time. The molded statue of Somdet Phra Phutthachan (To Phromrangsi) constructed in 1894, having the lap width of 5 meters and the height of 7 meters, has been enshrined in the wihan facing the Chao Phraya River.


The large Buddha image housed in this wihan is larger, more elegant, and more remarkable wihan than any other, therefore, Buddhists from various parts of the country have continuously paid homage to this image. In front of the wihan, the ubosot facing the Chao Phraya River was constructed using the magnificent Thai architectural design. Inside the ubosot, there are mural paintings depicting scenes of the Lord Buddhas chronicles painted by the artisan in the reign of King Rama V, and the molded statue of Somdet Phra Phutthachan (To Phromrangsi) from Thonburi. At present, Wat Chaiyo Worawihan has been renovated to exhibit its distinctive beauty.


Wat Muang
Wat Muang, Ang Thong

Is located at Mu 6, Tambon Huataphan, approximately 8 kilometers from downtown. Go along Ang Thong Wiset Chai Chan route (Highway No. 3195) Km 29 for 1 kilometer, the temple will be on the left side. There are several important attractions in the temple. The ubosot of Wat Muang is surrounded by the biggest lotus petals in the world. Ground floor of Wihan Kaeo is a museum (open only on Saturday and Sunday during 9 am.5 pm.) exhibiting sacred objects, antiques, and figures of renowned monks from all over the country. The upper floor of the museum houses the first and largest silver holy Buddha image of the country, which was constructed in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of His Majesty the Kings throne ascendancy. Within the temple compound, there are figures of heaven and hell, Thai god paradise, Chinese god paradise, and a huge statue of Kuan Im female goddess. Besides, there are figures narrating the history of Thai-Burmese battle in Wiset Chai Chan. At the back of the temple, there is a fish park where you can also buy some local products of Ang Thong province here.

Nai Dok Nai Thongkaeo Monument
Nai Dok Nai Thongkaeo Monument, Ang Thong
Is located in front of Wiset Chai Chan Witthayakhom School at Mu 2, Tambon Phaichamsin. Follow Ang Thong Wiset Chai Chan route between Km 26-27 for approximately 1.5 kilometers into Soi Pu Dok Pu Thongkaeo 16. This monument was constructed by Wiset Chai Chan together with Ang Thong people to commemorate the two heroes of Ban Pho Thalay, Wiset Chai Chan people, and Grandpa Dok and Thongkaeo who sacrificed their lives in the battle with Burmese at Ban Khai Bang Rachan prior to the defeat of Ayutthaya in 1766. Crown Prince Wachiralongkorn on behalf of His Majesty the King presided over the opening ceremony of this monument in 1977.

Wat Yang
Wat Yang, Ang Thong

Is located in Tambon Huaiphai and is presumably constructed in the late Ayutthaya period. The historical remains to be found now are ubosot with an upward curve base similar to junk, sandstone Buddha images, damaged stucco Buddha images and boundary stones. About half kilometer to the south of the temple, there is earthen mound where large quantities of amulets were found. Since it is not far away from Ban Bang Rachan, it is presumably a place for hiding precious treasures of the Thai people during that time.


Bird Sanctuary
Bird Sanctuary, Ang Thong

Is located at Mu 2, Ban Riowa, Tambon Ban Phran, 24 kilometers from Ang Thong province. Take Pho Thong Sawaeng Ha Road (Highway No. 3054) Km 18-19, turn into Ban Tambon Nongmaekai until reaching Nongmaekai School. Then go along the laterite road for 6 kilometers until you reach Wat Riowa. In this temple, thousands of birds of various species naturally dwell there including the egret, heron, open-billed stork, night heron, cormorant kingfisher, etc. Certain kinds nearly become extinct and cannot easily be seen in other places.


Amphoe Samko
Amphoe Samko, Ang Thong

Is approximately 25 kilometers away from Ang Thong city. Though it was originally a small Tambon reporting to Amphoe Wiset Chai Chan, it was promoted as sub-district and then as district in 1965. For its historical importance, Samko is mentioned in the royal chronicle that the Burmese marched their army from Dan Chedi Sam Ong to encamp in Samko before attacking Ayutthaya City. It is also the place where King Naresuan the Great and Phra Ekathotsarot led the troops to Tambon Traphangtru in Suphan Buri province and defeated the enemy by combat on elephant back.

At present, Samko is well known in its native tradition and folk arts. There are some agriculture areas in Samko converted from rice fields to other agriculture land e.g. lotus field, good species coconut plantations estate, and mixed orchard. Farmers know how to develop their career using new technologies to improve agriculture products in both quality and quantity and to earn satisfactory income. Samko is also a land of native songs where both male and female singers take significant roles in conserving and bringing native recreation and songs back to life.


Wat Ta It
Wat Ta It, Ang Thong

Is located in Ban Ta It, Tambon Bangphlap, taking Highway No. 3064 Km 7-8. This temple was constructed in 1761. Originally, this site was for firebrick production and brick distribution center or port for building Wat Khun Inthapramun. After the completion of temple construction, it has then been called Wat Ta It (temple of brick port). Villagers called the principal Buddha image in the ubosot as Luangpho Phetch, while the principal Buddha image in the wihan was called Luangpho Khao. The latter, once enshrined in wihan Maha-Ut was constructed in the Ayutthaya period approximately over 200 years ago. When entering the temple, the outstanding Phrathat Chedi Sri Phothong in gold can easily be seen. Reasons for constructing Phrathat Chedi can be traced back to 1992 when Phrakhru Sukhonthasilakhun (Luangpho Hom) initiated to build the Ceylon Ayutthaya -Rattanakosin pattern chedi of 40-meter width and 73-meter height in the temple compound. The octahedron chedi holding bells and divided into 32 sections is to replace the former corroded chedi standing in front of the ubosot. This chedi is for housing the relics of Buddhas neck as well as various Buddha images in different postures, which represents the religious treasures in commemoration of Lord Buddhas kindness for preaching mankind to have good faith, concentration, and wisdom in order to achieve the virtue based on individuals ability. Later in 1995, Phrakhru Sukhonthasilakhun, acknowledged of King Bhumiphols sickness at the beginning of this chedis construction, had made a strong wish praying for His Majesty the Kings recovery in exchange for a construction of this chedi as a donation. His Majesty the King then named this chedi Phrathat Chedi Sri Phothong. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presided at the opening ceremony of this chedi in 2000. Wickerwork Village Ang Thongs renowned wickerwork is mostly produced by the community of Amphoe Pho Thong. Almost every house situated in the vicinity along both sides of the Chao Phraya River establish groups of specialization for wickerwork, rattan, and bamboo wickerwork production e.g. Tambon Ongkharak Group, Tambon Bangchaocha Group, Tambon Bangrakam Group, Tambon Phlap Group, and Tambon Inthapramun Group.

The noted wickerwork area of the province is in Ban Bangchaocha locating at Mu 8, Ban Yangthong, Tambon Bangchaocha. The wickerwork from this village is made of bamboo. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visited this village and advised people to grow Sisuk bamboo as for their raw materials and for conservation of this handicraft category. Wickerwork from this village is well known for its extraordinary fineness and beauty besides being produced to meet the market demand. It does not stick only to the old typical design which enabling it to produce for export. This village has been recognized as a pattern for career development.
In this village, there is a museum exhibiting a collection of tools and native equipment made of bamboo.

How to get there : Take Ang Thong Pho Thong route for approximately 9 kilometers to Yangmani Irrigation Canal. Then turn right and go along the canal for approximately 5 kilometers before turning right into Wat Yangthong Road. The handicraft center is behind the temple.


Fish Park at Wat Khoi
Fish Park at Wat Khoi, Ang Thong

Is located at the Noi River in front of Wat Khoi, Mu 1, Tambon Pho Rang Nok, 12 kilometers from Ang Thong province. Take Ang Thong Wiset Chai Chan route, on Highway No. 3151 Km 27-28, you will find the signboard of the Fish Park at Wat Khoi, then turn right to take a short cut along irrigation canal for approximately 2.3 kilometers. Fish at Wat Khoi have been abundant for 50 years since Phrakhru Sukitwichan (Luangpho Khem) was an abbot. Later in 1985, Phrakhru Sorakitchaton, the present abbot had the place renovated. With the coordination from the Office of Amphoe Pho Thong Fisheries, this venue was declared as a fish sanctuary. The police will see that the fish are not disturbed. At present, there are various species of fish living together over 50,000 e.g. sawai (genus Pangasius), rad (gouramy), thepo (genus Pangasius), buek (Pangasianodon gigas), tapian (carp), etc. Fish foods are available for visitors to enjoy feeding them. Beverage stalls are also available.

Within Wat Khoi compound, another attraction is an ancient Thai-style teak temple hall of religious instruction built on eight-angle pillars. Under the temple hall, various kinds of antiques are exhibited e.g. boats from China such as towing boat, sculling boat, Thai-style gondola, and covering boat. Collections of tools and equipment used in growing rice e.g. cart, wheel, and plough handle are also displayed. Aquaculture harvest equipment like bamboo fishing trap can also be found. Besides, there are mondop, wihan, chedi, ubosot, monks' compartment, praying hall, historic remains of ancient classroom and antiques from foreign countries e.g. ancient lamp from Washington D.C., ancient clock from Paris, and teak monastic cabinet from China in the reign of King Rama V, or ancient cradle. Neighbors in this area established Coarse Rice Production Center in a form of cooperatives for distribution to the public. Local museum displays various kinds of ancient boats e.g. towing boat and sculling boat, and farmers' equipments e.g. stone mortar, hand rice mill, rice winnowing basket, etc., which clearly review life style of the Thai people in the central region.


Bats at Wat Chantharam
Bats at Wat Chantharam, Ang Thong
Wat Chantharam is an old temple locating in Ban Chang, Mu 5, Tambon Khok Phutsa, approximately 4 kilometers to the west of Pho Thong District Office. Take Pho Thong Sawaengha Road for approximately 1 kilometer and then turn left for another 3 kilometers. Inside the precinct of this temple is crowded with trees, which have become habitats for numerous basted birds for centuries. These bats look for food at night, whereas during daytime, they hang themselves upside down along the black-color branches to be seen from distance. Visitors can enjoy visiting them in every season.

Wat Plotsat
Wat Plotsat, Ang Thong
Is located in Ban Hae, Mu 4, Tambon Ban Hae, approximately 7 kilometers from the downtown of Ang Thong province, taking Highway No. 3501 Km 3-4. In the temple compound, there is a tower made of brick, whose unique summit is covered with Ceylon-style chedi pagoda seen from a distance.

Wat Phinitthammasan
Wat Phinitthammasan, Ang Thong
Is located on the east bank of Chao Phraya River in Tambon Bang Plakot on the route of Ang Thong - Pa Mok - Ayutthaya Km 15. Its former name was Wat Krasop. Main attractions are the old wihan constructed in the late Ayutthaya period and the large seated Buddha image made of plaster in the posture of subduing Mara built in the first Chiang Saen batch with the lap width of approximately 12 meters, enshrined in the open.

Somchit Roengpho Mixed Orchard
Somchit Roengpho Mixed Orchard, Ang Thong

Is located at Mu 2, Tambon Khlongwua, Amphoe Mueang, taking Wat Channimit entrance for approximately 3 kilometers. This orchard was accredited with Mixed Orchard and 2001 International Feminine Farmer Awards. Khun Somchit grows mixed fruits on the land of 13 rai (5.2 acres) and rice fields on the land of 10 rai. (4 acres) She emphasizes on growing several mango seeds e.g. Setthi, Thawai, Choke-Anan, Nam Dok Mai Mon, and pamelo and Citrus nobilis. To visit the orchard, contact Khun Somchit for more details at Tel. 0 1818 1450. Thai-Style House Models, Thai-Style House Prefabricated Parts, Toddy Palm Furniture.
Follow Ayutthaya, Pa Mok, and Tambon Phosa route, this is a center producing Thai-style house prefabricated parts of all types by sophisticated handicraft inherited from the ancestors to remain Thai-style uniqueness. Besides, there are Thai-style house models and furniture made of several types of Toddy palm trees available for pale.

City Pillar Shrine
City Pillar Shrine, Ang Thong
is opposite to Ang Thong city hall. The height of the shrine is 1.5 meters. This is the second city pillar shrine having mural paintings on the four interior walls. (The first city pillar shrine with mural paintings is City Pillar Shrine in Bangkok.) Ang Thong City Pillar Shrine is an exquisitely sacred place appropriate as a focus of victory and peoples heart. Do not miss to pay homage to this city pillar shrine when visiting this province.

Wat Thanon
Wat Thanon, Ang Thong

Is located in Tambon Phongpheng. From Amphoe Pa Mok, passing municipal market to the inner route of Pa Mok Bang Ban (Highway No. 3501) Km 19-20 approximately 7 kilometers, you will find Wat Thanon. This temple was constructed approximately in 1780 in the Thonburi period. A wooden Buddha image in the standing posture, carved in a human size of approximately more than 2 meters, is enshrined in the wihan called Luangpho Phraphut Rampueng. From the chronicle, the raft with the Buddha image floated along the river and stopped in front of this temple and did not go any further. Phra Thong Yu, the abbot in that period, found that there was an engraved wooden Buddha image in the raft. Therefore, he offered sacrifices to the Buddha image before moving him from the river to house in the temple. People, who pay homage to this temple, like to make wishes and prove them by placing the eggs in front of the Buddha image. Whoever can make the egg stands, he/she has good luck. Offerings of boiled eggs, a play, and garland are used as the means to redeem a vow to the Buddha for the wishes that have been made. Other attraction is the floating 100-year Buddhas footprint of 30x70 in engraved wood on the ceiling of the temple hall.


Phanthai Norasing Monument
Phanthai Norasing Monument, Ang Thong
Is located in Wat Norasing, Mu 2, Ban Taphun, Tambon Norasing, taking Highway No. 3501 (Ang Thong Pa Mok Ayutthaya route) Km 9-10. This monument was built in 1988 to commemorate the steersman of Ekkachai royal barge in the reign of King Phrachao Suea. The steersman confirmed to receive an execution for not able to control the barge well enough and let it bump into branches and broke the royal barge front. He believed this would prevent the next generation from doing the same mistake. Hence, his decision has been appraised until now.

Wat Suwansewariyaram
Wat Suwansewariyaram, Ang Thong
Is located on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River in Tambon Taladkruat. Take the Asian Highway (Highway No. 32) Km 103-104 or 3 kilometers from Ang Thong City Hall along the irrigation canal road. The wihan houses approximately 20 meters in length of a reclining Buddha image. Other ancient relics are about 100 years old.

Wat Plotsat
Wat Plotsat, Ang Thong
Is located in Ban Hae, Mu 4, Tambon Ban Hae, approximately 7 kilometers from the downtown of Ang Thong province, taking Highway No. 3501 Km 3-4. In the temple compound, there is a tower made of brick, whose unique summit is covered with Ceylon-style chedi pagoda seen from a distance.

Wat Phinitthammasan
Wat Phinitthammasan, Ang Thong
Is located on the east bank of Chao Phraya River in Tambon Bang Plakot on the route of Ang Thong - Pa Mok - Ayutthaya Km 15. Its former name was Wat Krasop. Main attractions are the old wihan constructed in the late Ayutthaya period and the large seated Buddha image made of plaster in the posture of subduing Mara built in the first Chiang Saen batch with the lap width of approximately 12 meters, enshrined in the open.

Ban Bang Sadet Court Doll Center
Ban Bang Sadet Court Doll Center, Ang Thong

Is a high raised Thai house behind Wat Tha Sutthawat in Tambon Ban Bang Sadet. The former name of this Tambon was Tambon Ban Wattan. When Their Majesties the King and the Queen visited and offered help to those who suffered from flood in 1975, the people were overwhelmingly pleased with their Majesties presence and contributions. In remembrance of their gratitude to Their Majesties, the people approvingly changed the name of Ban Wattan to Ban Bang Sadet.

The establishment of Ban Bang Sadet Court Doll Project was initiated by Her Majesty the Queen in 1976. Its main purpose is to help the villagers earn supplementary income. Besides admiring the shaded and magnificent scene over the bank of the Chao Phraya River, visitors can observe court doll production in the friendly villagers' houses. Center of collaboration in the form of a co-operative system resides at Ban Bang Sadet Court Doll Center. Some project members will demonstrate court doll making and the products on sale are available at fair price. Court dolls are the exotic clay invention displaying Thai-style course of life and culture, e.g. Thai childrens' recreation, Thai orchestra or various types of Thai fruits appropriate as souvenirs. Contact number of Court Doll Production and Sales Center is Tel. 0 3566 2995.


Wat Saket
Wat Saket, Ang Thong

Is an ancient temple, built in the Ayutthaya period, located in Tambon Chaiyaphum, on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River, approximately 15 kilometers from Amphoe Mueang Ang Thong. Formerly, Tambon Chaiyaphum was called Ban Saket, administratively reported to Mueang Wiset Chai Chan District. In the Royal Chronicle, it is mentioned that in 1585 when Phrachao Chiangmai led his army to encamp at Ban Saket, King Naresuan the Great and Somdet Phra Ekathotsarot attacked and finally defeated Phrachao Chiangmais army. The present King and Queen visited this temple in 1970 to make merit for King Naresuan the Great.


Wat Phohom (Wat Pahuaphan)
Wat Phohom (Wat Pahuaphan), Ang Thong
Is located in Tambon Ratchasathit (Tambon Tanot) on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. It is 12 kilometers from Amphoe Mueang Ang Thong. Taking Ang Thong Sing Buri route at Km 68-69 and turn at the intersection for 1.5 kilometers. Originally, this temple was constructed in the Ayutthaya period and was left deserted. The temple was rebuilt 10 years ago. Attractions in this temple are 2 large stucco of four-face Bhrama heads, found from the excavation of this temple placed on trays beside chedi. The object reveals original workmanship of a Khmer-style sculpture. It is assumed that those heads were the top parts of either the temple gate or the ubosot gate similar to the one on top of the palace gate in Ayutthaya period. Moreover, the new abbots' compartment displays a mixture of Asian and European arts.

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