Monday, August 25, 2008

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ANGTHONG


[ Wat Angthong Worawihan ]
Constructed in the Bangkok period, Wat Angthong Worawihan in located near Angthong City Hall. This temple originally consisted of two small ordinary temples located next to each other : Wat PhoNgoen and Wat Phothong which were built during the reign of King Rama 4. In 1890 on his boat trip to Phitsanulok, King Rama 5 passed and noticed these two temples. For their improvement, His Majesty the King had these two small temples combined into one and named it "Wat Angthong". Buddhist places of interest include phraubosot or the ordination hall which was beautifully rebuilt from 1956 - 1957 to replace the old single tiered roof one which was built in 1902. The new ubosot with five rooms in length has one portico in front and another at the back. The hall has a two-tiered roof with the gable ends decorated with monk-rankgin fan designs studded with colored glass. Moreover, more attractions being in the Bangkok period style of art and architecture are Thai-style monk's cells properly located and made of teak ; Sala Kanparain (a pavilion for religious rites or merit-making function) or Teaching Hall ; a chanting hall ; and a beautiful crematorium.

[ Wat Tonson ]
Located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River in Angthong municipal area opposite Angthong Technical College, Wat Tonson is an old temple where Somdet Phra Si Muang, a very beautiful seated Buddha image in the posture of subduing Mara is enshrined.

[ Wat Ratchapaksi ]
Located on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River, 3-4 kilometers from Angthong City, on Angthong-Ayutthaya Road, Wat Ratchapaksi is famed for large reclining Buddha image similar to size. The image is assumed to have been constructed during or before the Ayutthaya period. Formerly the image was in very bad condition, but currently it has been constructed during or before the Ayutthaya period. Formerly the image was in very bad condition, but currently it has been renovated and is worth visiting.

[ Wat Suwansewariyaram ]
Located on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River in Tambon Taratklord. Amphoe Muang Angthong, is 3 kilometers from Angthong City Hall along the irrigation canal road. The attractions at this temple include the mural paintings on the four interior walls of the ubosot whose art style is of the Bangkok period dating about in the reigns of King Rama 4 and King Rama 5. The paintings were influenced by Western art styles. Others are a reclining Buddha image, 10 meters in length enshrined in the wihan ; an old wihan ; chedi towers and a stucco. Buddha image whose head in made of sand stone in Ayutthaya art style and brought from Wat Phothanon. All these ancient attractions are about one hundred years old.

[ Wat Thaiyan ]
Constructed during the Ayutthaya period, Wat Thaiyan is located on the bank of Saladaeng Canal which connects the Noi River with the Chao Phraya River in Amphoe Muang Angthong. In the reigns of King Rama 3 and King Rama 4 of the Bangkok period, the path of allegiance ceremonies were performed at this temple. Another major attraction is that during the rainy season innumerable waterfowls can be seen in the area. Bird watchers are recommended to visit this place during the rainy reason.




[ Wat Phinitthammasan (Wat Krasop) ]

Located on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River in Tambon Bang Plakot, Amphoe Pa Mok, opposite Wat Pamok. Its former name was Wat Krasop. (Later it was mispronounced as Krasop). Main attractions at this temple include the old wihan which was constructed in the late Ayutthaya period and renovated with minor alterations ; 3 Buddha image enshrined in the wihan and a large seated Buddha image, painted white in the posture of subduing Mara placed in the open. At this temple there is a pier where ferries to Wat Pamok which is on the other side of the river are available. (More convenient than by road by which the journey must be started from the city and driven back for another 10 kilometers.)

Wat Pamok Worawihan[ Wat Pamok Worawihan ]
Located in the municipal area of Tambon Pa Mok on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, 18 kilometers from Amphoe Muang Angthong on Highway No. 309 (Angthong - Ayutthaya), This temple noted for housing one of the most beautiful reclining Buddha images in Thailand. The image is 22.58 meters from the topknot to the feet, made of brick and mortar and covered with gold. It is assumed to have been constructed in the Sukhothai period. The miracle story of the image is told that at the site of Wat Pamok, formerly there were two temples located next to each other : Wat Talat and Wat Chipakhao. This large reclining Buddha image floated along the river and sank in front of these two temples. People worshipped and pulled the image up and left it on the river bank. In the Royal Chronicle, it is mentioned that King Naresuan the Great before leading his army to attack Phra Maha Upparacha of Burma stopped at this temple gathering his troops and paid homage to the image. In 1728 in the reign of King Thaisa, the King came to control the removing of the image from the river bank which was destroyed by the river current to be enshrined in a new wihan at Wat Talat, 168 meters from the bank. King Thaisa then had these two temples fused into one and named it "Wat Pamok" according to Mok trees which were abundant in that area. Attractions at this temple are various e.g., Wihankhian, the mondop enshrining the four Buddha footprints etc.

[ Wat Thasutthawat ]
Located on the east bank of the Choa Phraya River in Tambon Bangsadet. If accessed by Highway No. 309 (Ayutthaya - Angthong), the temple entrance is to the left, 14 kilometers from Ayutthaya. This old temple was constructed in the early Ayutthaya period. During the war in the Ayutthaya period, this site was the trooping route for the army crossing the Chao Phraya River. At present this temple is under the royal patronage of Princess Maha Chakri Sirinthorn. The royal pavilion at the middle of the pond, the chedi tower for displaying ancient Buddha images and artifacts, as well as the monuments of King Naresuan the Great and King Ekathotsarot have been constructed. Inside the ubosot, the Princess had her personal painters and drawers from the Royal Folk Arts and Crafts. Project produce the mural paintings. The area around this temple is serene under the shades of large trees as well as beautiful scenic riverside of the Chao Phraya River.

[ Ban Bangsadet (Court Doll Center under Her Majesty the Queen's patronage) ]
Tambon Bangsadet is on Highway No. 309 (Ayutthaya - Angthong), 16 kilometers from Ayutthaya, turn left at the crossroad into Ban Bangsadet. 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 at this Tambon, 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 Bangsadet. Within the Village of Bangsadet, besides its tranquil picturesque riverside of the Chao Phraya River, visitors can enjoy visiting court-dolls making at nearby houses. The establishment of Court Doll Project at Ban Bangsadet was initiated by Her Majesty the Queen in 1976. Its main purpose is to help the villagers earn supplementary income in the form of a co-operative system. The center site is situated at Salakanparian (teaching hall) of Wat Thasutthawat where demonstration of court doll making by some of the project members and the products on sale are available. The products from this project are also available at Chitlada Shop. Court dolls are handmade of clay featuring ways of Thai life of every sex and age as well as Thai culture e.g., Thai children at play, Thai musical instruments and instruments ensembles and varieties of Thai fruits. All of them are lovely and worth buying for souvenirs.

Wat Sakaeo[ Wat Sakaeo (Bangsadet home spun fabrics and an orphanage care center) ]
Its former name was Wat Sakae. Constructed in 1699, this temple has become the care center for needy orphans from almost every part of Thailand. Since there are a large number of orphans in responsibilities, the temple has formed a Li-Ke (Thai Drama or repertoire company) troupe performed by those orphans in order to obtain income for supporting them. Wat Sakaeo is the site of Samakkhisamakhan, a project initiated by the Queen, established in 1981 under the responsibility of the Cottage Industry Section in the Ministry of Industry. The objectives of this project are to enhance and improve cloth weaving and dying methods to villagers. At Ban Bangsadet almost every family possesses looms. They are hard- working, busy producing various beautiful quality home-spun fabric products e.g., simple skirt materials, loincloth, table cloth, pillowcases etc. All these products become well-known in the name of Angthong hand-woven fabrics and gathered to be sold at Samakkhisamakhan Center daily. To access Wat Sakaeo, take Highway No. 309 (Ayutthaya-Angthong). The entrance is 15 kilometers from Ayutthaya, on the left.

[ Thai-style house models and Thai-style house prefabricated parts ]
Thai-style house construction workmanship has been inherited from ancestors. In construction of Thai-style house, besides their exquisiteness, the house still interestingly maintain the Thai-style uniqueness. Many shops along the Ayutthaya-Pa Mok Road are ready to receive orders. Especially at Tambon Phosa it is a center producing Thai-style house prefabricated parts of all types, Thai-style house models and furniture made of palmary trees.

[ Drum - making village ]
Located at Ban Phae in Tambon Ekkarat behind Pamok Market on the left bank of the Chao Phraya River, accessed by the inner road passing Amphoe Pa Mok Municipality Office, and running parallel to the irrigation canal at a distance of 7 kilometers. People of Ban Phae began producing drums in 1927 after the harvesting season. The raw materials used are cow hide and rain tree wood because its texture is soft and able to be dug easily. Drums from Ban Phae besides their quality and exquisiteness are available in many size, especially miniature drums are very popular for souvenirs. In addition the villagers still maintain the typical Thai lifestyle in Thai-style houses. Original designs within a tranquil idyllic atmosphere.






[ Wat Chaiyo Worawihan ]

Located at Tambon Chaiyo, Amphoe Chaiyo, 18 kilometers from Angthong City on Highway No. 32 (Angthong - Singburi). Formerly it was a small ordinary temple constructed in the Ayutthaya period but the fact that when or who built it was unknown. Later in the reign of King Rama V, Somdet Phra Phutthachan (To Phromrangsi) a revered monk of Wat Rakhangkhositaram in Thonburi had a large seated Buddha image in Thonburi had a large seated Buddha image in the posture of mediation made of this of white cement constructed in the open of this temple. Then in the reign of King Rama V, he went to worship the image and had Wat Chaiyo renovated in 1887 but the
vibration during the construction of the wihan caused the image to be collapsed. The King finally had a new large Buddha image constructed to replace the damaged one. The style of this new image was identical to the one at Wat Kanlayanamit. The new one is 16.10 meters from knee to knee and 22.65 meters in height and was named "Phra Mahaphutthaphim" by the king. There was the biggest celebration for the image ever held in Angthong at that time. This large Buddha image has been enshrined in the largest and most spectacular wihan. Numerous Buddhists from various parts continuously pilgrimage to the image. In front of the wihan, the ubosot facing the Chao Phraya River was also constructed in the beautiful Thai-style architecture. Within the ubosot, there are mural paintings depicting scenes of the Lord Buddha's biography, painted by painters in the reign of King Rama 5. Currently Wat Chaiyo Worawihan has been renovated. There will be fairs to celebrate the image held 3 times a year.

[ Wat Saket ]
Located at Tambon Chaiyaphum on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River, 15 kilometers from Angthong City, this old temple was constructed in the Ayutthaya period. Formerly Tambon Chaiyaphum was called "Ban Saket", administratively in Muang Wiset Chai Chan District. In the Royal Chronicle, it is mentioned that in 1585 When Phrachao Chaingmai led his army to encamp at Ban Saket, King Naresuan the Great and Somdet Phra Ekathotsarot attacked and finally defeated Phrachao Chiangmai's army. The present King and Queen visited this temple in 1970 to make merit for King Naresuan the Great.

[ Wat Phohom (Wat Pahuaphan) ]
Located at Tambon Ratchasathit (Tambon Tanot), 12 kilometers from Amphoe Muang Angthong and 2 kilometers along the connecting road from Highway NO.32 (Angthong - Singburi), this temple was constructed in the Ayutthaya period and left deserted. The temple was rebuilt ten years ago. Interesting attractions in this temple are 2 large stucco four - face Bhrama heads, found from the excavation of this temple placed on trays in front of the old ubosot foundation. One head revels original workmanship of a Khmer-style sculpture and the other was repaired on the former structure. It is assumed that those heads were the top parts of either the temple gates or the ubosot gates which dated back from the late Lopburi period to the early Ayutthaya period. Moreover, within the temple there are stucco Buddha image in the posture of subduing Mara, red sand stone boundary stones and the former ubosot made of ancient brick measuring 37x18x10 centimeters in size.

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