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Central Thailand / U Thong, Singburi, Chai Nat

U Thong

This is a very old town, mentioned in the earliest records from Ayutthaya. U Thong was the immediate predecessor of Ayutthaya, as the king of U Thong established Ayutthaya as his capital in 1350, then assuming the name King Ramatibodi. The reason for the transfer of the capital was, so goes the legend, a cholera epidemic in the U Thong area.

However, the above view on the history of U Thong and the rise of Ayutthaya has been doubted after new archaeological evidence has been taken into account. According to a new interpretation, U Thong was abandoned much earlier than the middle of the 14th century. That it actually was a prosperous city before Ayutthaya is taken for granted.

Accommodation

Karaket; 32 rooms, sgl/dbl 80-160 (f)

Ngo Jip Seng; 14 rooms, sgl/dbl 60-120 (f)

Sayam; 1603 Mu 6, Tel 55-1570

36 rooms, sgl/dbl 80-180 (f, ac)

U Thong Thani; 1172 Mu 6, Tel 55-1840

23 rooms, sgl/dbl 100-240 (f)

Places of Interest

U Thong National Museum

The main attraction of U Thong is the U Thong National Museum which displays artifacts and archaeological finds, such as tools, utensils and Buddha images. They span from the early U Thong era to a much later time.

This monastery, 15km (9mi) from U Thong along Malaimaen Road, is generally called Wat Phrathat Nok by the locals. The main attraction is a Prang of early Ayutthaya design. (A Prang is a Khmer-style pagoda; for information on Buddhist architecture, please see the chapter Art & Culture.)

The town of Singburi is the capital of a fairly small province of 822sqkm (317sqmi) which is divided into 6 districts: Muang (the town of Singburi), Inburi, Bang Rachan, Khai Bang Rachan, Phromburi and Tha Chang.

Accommodation

Chao Phaya Garden; 184/14 Singburi Lopburi Rd

Tel 51-1348, 51-1957

50 rooms, sgl/dbl 80-300 (f, ac)

Hotel 99; 151/30 Singburi Lopburi Rd, Tel 51-2254

25 rooms, sgl/dbl 100-240 (f, ac)

Hotel 72; 9/15-24 Wirachon Rd

Tel 51-1759, 51-1938

20 rooms, sgl/dbl 60120 (f, ac)

Motel 21; 919 Bang Man, Khunsam Rd

Tel 51-1603, 51-1820

21 rooms, sgl/dbl 60-180 (f, ac)

Santisuk; 842-6 Wilaichit Rd, Tel 51-1834

10 rooms, sgl/dbl 60-100 (f)

Singburi; 882/18 Khunsan Rd, Tel 51-1752, 51-1653

83 rooms, sgl/dbl 100-250 (f, ac)

Thawon Phanit; 151/2 Khunsan Rd, Tel 51-1083

15 rooms, sgl/dbl 60-100 (f)

V.S.T.; 249/4 Pho Kao Ton Rd, Tel 51-1732

42 rooms, sgl/dbl 100-300 (f, ac)

Places of Interest

Khai Bang Rachan Park

Khai Bang Rachan Park contains a monument commemorating the heroes of Bang Rachan. The figures on the monument depict the villagers of Bang Rachan who are regarded as heroes in Thai history for their fierce defence against the Burmese who besieged Ayutthaya in 1766 and 1767, finally conquering the city. The Burmese troops had to make eight attacks against the village before it was defeated due to a shortage of weapons. The fortress seen in the park is a replica of the earlier actual one. Other structures include the Wat Pho Kao Ton (Nine Bodhi Trees Monastery) and a Vihara housing the statue of Phra Archan Thammachot, a Buddhist monk who was the leader of the Bang Rachan villagers at the time when the Burmese besieged Ayutthaya.

This highly revered Buddha image is housed at Wat Phra Non Chaksi, 3km (2mi) from the town of Singburi. The Buddha image is almost 46m (151ft) long.

Wat Na Phrathat, west of the Chaksi Reclining Buddha in Tambon Chaksi, was at first called Wat Hua Muang by the locals and only later given the present name. It has a very old Prang (Khmer-style pagoda) which is assumed to have been built during a time the Khmers ruled over the area (which was after the year 1000 but before 1200).

The Wat, also called Wat Luang Phow Phae by the locals, is some 9km (6mi) from Wat Phra Non Chaksi in the Tha Chang district. The main attractions of this monastery is a large sitting Buddha image called Phra Yai Prathanphon or Phra Puttha Suwan Mongkhon Mahamuni and the Dharma Garden.

There are several historical objects such as King Rama V’s palanquin, large shadow play characters of Wat Prasuk, various ecclesiastical fans from the period of King Rama V, a green stone Buddha image and an old sugarcane crushing machine. Near the museum lies Wat Bot, constructed in an unusual style using iron rails as the core of the lower part. The entire Ubosot is of wood with carved door and window panels.

Transportation

Bangkok - Singburi

Buses from Bangkok’s Northern Bus Terminal on Phahonyothin Road; 143km, non-aircon 32 Baht, 6:00, 7:00, 8:00, 9:50, 10:05, 11:05 and every one hour until 17:20; aircon 60 Baht, 6:30, 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, 15:40, 16:30, 18:00

Chai Nat, established during the Ayutthaya period, was for centuries an important garrison town which played a role in several wars against the Burmese. The Burmese were defeated every time, thus the name of the town. Chai Nat means nothing less than Place of Victory.

Chai Nat Province has an area of 2,469sqkm (953sqmi) and is divided into six districts: Muang (the town of Chai Nat), Hankha, Manorom, Sankha Buri, Sanghaya and Wat Sing.

Accommodation

Arunotai; 185/8 Soi Phasisung, Chai Narong Rd

Tel 41-1296; 15 rooms, sgl/dbl 100-150 (f)

Chai Chana; 60/43 Khong Tham Rd, Tel 41-1752

35 rooms, sgl/dbl 100-180 (f)

Montri; 309/30 Phahonyothin Rd, Tel 41-1523 to 4

59 rooms, sgl/dbl 150-250 (f, ac)

Nam Chai; 63/22 Khong Tham Rd

Tel 41-1724 to 5, 41-1494

65 rooms, sgl/dbl 140-280 (f, ac)

309/4 Wong-To Rd, Tel 41-1009, 41-1080

35 rooms, sgl/dbl 120-240 (f, ac)

Places of Interest

Chao Phaya Dam

The dam, built in 1956, is in Sanphaya district, 8km (5mi) from the town of Chai Nat. It has a total length of 238m (781ft) and a height of 14m (46ft).

Wat Karuna near the Chao Phaya Dam houses a Buddha image named Phra Puttha Maha Sila or Luang Phaw Hin Yai.

The monastery, built in the Ayutthaya period, is at the foot of Thanmamun Hill on the bank of the Chao Phaya River, 8km (5mi) from the town of Chai Nat. The main attraction is a standing Buddha in the Peace posture, named Luang Pahaw Thammachak, which is highly respected by the people.

Transportation

Bangkok - Chai Nat

Buses from Bangkok’s Northern Bus Terminal on Phahonyothin Road; 229km, non-aircon 42 Baht, 5:00, 9:35, 11:30, 14:00, 15:35; aircon 63 Baht, 9:00, 13:00, 17:00