Central Thailand

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Central Thailand / Saraburi

Saraburi, 108km (68mi) from Bangkok, is believed to have been founded in 1548 during the reign of King Maha Chakrapat. Saraburi Province has an area of 3,576.5sqkm (1,381sqmi) and is divided into 10 districts: the town of Saraburi, Kaeng Khoi, Nong Khae, Wihan Daeng, Nong Saeng, Muak Lek, Ban Mo, Phra Putthabhat, Sao Hai, Nong Don, and one sub-district, Don Phut.

Accommodation

I-Nguan; 497 Phichai Ronnarongsongkham Rd

Tel 21-1061; 22 rooms, sgl/dbl 100-180 (f, ac)

Kieo-An; 273 Phahonyothin Rd

Tel 21-1656, 21-1713, 21-1989

250 rooms, sgl/dbl 100-400 (f, ac)

Saen Suk; 194 Phahonyothin Rd

Tel 21-1104, 22-1638

117 rooms, sgl/dbl 100-280 (f, ac)

Saengthai Villa; 518 Sut Banthat Rd, Tel 21-1078, 21-2115; 26 rooms, sgl/dbl 100-200 (f, ac)

Sap Sin; 471-3 Phahonyothin Rd

Tel 21-1047, 21-1487

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

Saraburi Hotel; 487 Sut Banthat Rd

Tel 21-1646, 21-1861, 21-1500

81 rooms, sgl/dbl 100-280 (f, ac)

Places of Interest

Phra Putthachai

The name literally means Buddha’s Shadow and it designates the shadow of a Buddha image seen on a cliff wall at the foot of Patthawi Hill, southwest of the town of Saraburi. One can climb up to the site on a spiral staircase; the surroundings are enchanting.

Transportation

Bangkok - Saraburi

All trains going to northeastern destinations stop at Saraburi. Departures at Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Station are at 6:15 (arrival at Saraburi 8:14), 6:50 (arr 8:57), 7:15 (arr 10:13), 15:25 (arr 17:58), 18:45 (arr 20:52), 19:00 (arr 21:01), 20:30 (arr 22:36), 21:00 (arr 23:06), 22:45 (arr 0:48) and 23:25 (arr 1:54).

All trains from Ubon Ratchathani and Nong Khai to Bangkok stop at Saraburi. Departures from Saraburi for Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Station are at 0:10 (arrival in Bangkok at 3:00), 1:19 (arr 3:30), 2:30 (arr 4:35), 2:52 (arr 5:00), 3:09 (arr 5:20), 3:56 (arr 6:00), 9:13 (arr 12:00), 15:13 (arr 17:25), 16:29 (arr 18:40) and 17:05 (arr 19:40).

Muak Lek is a small town in Saraburi Province.

Accommodation

Rai Kasuma / Kasuma Farm

7km from Muak Lek Fall

10 bungalows, 10 town houses 400-3,000

Bkk Resv Tel 526-1659, 571-1591

Places of Interest

Muak Lek Arboretum

This arboretum, 36km (23mi) from Saraburi on the Friendship Highway, has an area of 375 rai (60 hectares, 150 acres).

Transportation

Bangkok - Muak Lek

Trains going from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani which stop at Muak Lek depart at Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Station at 6:50 (arrival at Muak Lek 9:44), 7:15 (arr 11:14), 15:25 (arr 19:02), 22:45 (arr 1:45) and 23:25 (arr 3:31). Fare (excluding surcharges for rapid or express trains and aircon) is 31 Baht for 3rd class, 65 Baht for 2nd class and 126 Baht for 1st class. The rail distance is 152km.

All but two trains from Ubon Ratchathani to Bangkok stop at Muak Lek. Departures from Muak Lek for Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Station are at 1:46 (arrival in Bangkok at 4:35), 8:07 (arr 12:00), 14:26 (arr 17:25), 16:09 (arr 19:40) and 23:04 (arr 3:00). For fares and distance see entries under the opposite direction.

Kueng Khoi is a small town in Saraburi Province.

Accommodation

Siriphon; 421-5 Liap Santisuk Rd, Tel 24-4082

18 rooms, sgl/dbl 80-160

Thai Niyom; 376-8 Liap Santisuk Rd, Tel 24-4185

10 rooms, sgl/dbl 60-120 (f)

Phra Putthabhat is a small town in Saraburi Province.

Accommodation

Suk Sant; 64/1 Phahonyothin Rd, Tel 26-6527

10 rooms, sgl/dbl 60-120 (f)

Thanin Hotel ; 45 Phahonyothin Rd, Tel 26-6088

45 rooms, sgl/dbl 100-200 (f, ac)

Thawi Chai; 257-9 Mankha Prasit Rd, Tel 26-6108

10 rooms, sgl/dbl 60-120 (f)

Places of Interest

Phra Putthabhat Shrine

The name of this shrine literally means Buddha Footprints. The footprints are in the Mondop on the shelf of Suwan Banphot Hill (Satchaphan Khiri Hill), 31km (19mi) north from the town of Saraburi. The footprints were discovered in the reign of King Songtham of Ayutthaya (1610-1628). There are two annual fairs celebrating the footprints: The first one falls on the 8th day of the waxing moon to the 1st day of the waning moon of the 3rd lunar month; and the second one is held from the 8th day of the waxing moon to the 1st day of the waning moon of the 4th lunar month.

This place, famous for its treatment of narcotics addicts, is in the Pong Prab Mountain Range, 25km (16mi) along Phahonyothin Road from the town of Saraburi.