Amphoe Muang
Bo Ya Cave
Bo Ya Cave is Hin Kon Village in Tambon Nong Krot, around
30 kilometers from the city on the San Nakhon Sawan-Lat Yao road.
Another 6-kilometer road leads to Wat Tham Bo Ya (Wat Thep Nimit
Song Tham). A stairway at the foot of the hill leads up to the
cave. The cave itself has 3 sections. The first has a large main
Buddha image, the second further in is a dead end with a pond
called Bo Nam Thip that is believed by locals to be sacred and
the third section is an exit out the other way. Apart from the
sacred pond, the cave has beautiful stalagmites and stalactites.
Getting There : Use Highway No. 32 (Asian Highway) from
Nakhon Sawan to Kamphaeng Phet for about 15 kilometers, then turn
left at the intersection into Road No. 1072 (Nong Ben-Lat Yao)
for about 1 kilometer. From there, take a left turn at the sign
into Wat Si Uthumphon for about 6 kilometers and turn right at
the sign into Wat Thep Nimit Song Tham (Wat Tham Bo Ya). The road
is a laterite road. It is altogether about 22 kilometers from
the city.
Bung
Boraphet
Bung Boraphet is the largest freshwater swamp in Thailand.
It has an area of around 212 square kilometers. It covers parts
of Amphoe Muang, Amphoe Tha Tako and Amphoe Chum Saeng. In the
past Bung Boraphet was called “the northern sea” or
“Chom Bung” as there was an abundance of aquatic animals
and plants. According to surveys, there are still some 148 species
of animals and 44 species of plants here. Rare animals include
white-eyed river-martin and tiger perch.
During November to March a large number of waterfowls migrate
here. Some parts of the swamp have been declared the Bung Boraphet
Non-Hunting Area under the care of the Wildlife Conservation Division.
Bung Boraphet is also a fish breeding ground where the Department
of Fisheries has set up the Bung Boraphet Fishery Development
Station.
Getting There: Bung Boraphet can be reached by many ways.
By Boat From the Nakhon Sawan Municipal Pier Market, go north
along Nan River for about 6 kilometers to the mouth of Bung Boraphet
that is called Khlong Nong Duk. Go under the train bridge into
the swamp.
By Car
Bung Boraphet Fishery Development Station Take the Nakhon Sawan-Chum
Saeng route (Highway No. 225) for about 9 kilometers, then turn
right for 2 kilometers to “Bung Boraphet Fishery Development
Station.” Inside is a crocodile breeding pond and a freshwater
aquarium. There are boats that you can charter on tours in the
area at 400 baht per hour. The capacity is 15 persons per boat
Bung Boraphet Non-Hunting Area or “Waterfowls Park”
Take the Nakhon Sawan-Tha Tako route (Highway No. 3001) for about
20 kilometers and turn left for 4 kilometers to the park. The
park has an exhibition in the form of a nature study center, a
garden and accommodation. For more details, please contact the
Bung Boraphet Non-Hunting Area or the Bung Boraphet Wildlife Conservation
Promotion and Development Station, tel. (056) 227874. In addition,
there are long-tail boats to take visitors around Bung Boraphet
at 200 per boat.
Chao Pho Thepharak-Chao Mae Thapthim
Shrine
Chao Pho Thepharak-Chao Mae Thapthim Shrine is in the
area of Pak Nam Pho Community on the right bank of the Chao Phraya
River. The shrine is revered by locals and is the spiritual magnet
of the people in the area as well as passersby using the river.
The shrine also offers the best view of the beginning of the river.
Getting There :Take the Nakhon Sawan-Chum Saeng road (No. 225).
It is about 3 kilometers from the city on the left.
Nakhon Sawan Provincial Cultural Building
Nakhon Sawan Provincial Cultural Building is in the Nakhon
Sawan Rajabhat Institute. This two-story building is in the contemporary
Thai style and has a beautiful front porch. It is the center of
historical, archaeological and cultural information of the province.
The building has an exhibition room displaying cultural development
and various archaeological sites. It was completed in June 1992
and was opened by H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on 17
August 1992.
Sawan Park
Sawan
Park is in Nakhon Sawan Municipality beside the Asian Highway.
It was originally a large swamp with an area of 502,400 square
meters called Nong Som Bun. It was later made into a sizable public
park with 2 ring roads encircling it. The middle of the park is
an island with an area of 6,400 square meters. The park has a
garden, lawn, fountain, outdoor stage, waterfall, and rose garden.
The Origin of the Chao Phraya River
The Origin of the Chao Phraya River is the point where
the Ping and Nan rivers converge at Tambon Pak Nam Pho in front
of the dam in the city. Here, one can clearly distinguish the
difference between the two rivers. The Nan River is reddish in
color while the Ping River is somewhat green. They flow to form
the Chao Phraya River, the most important waterway of the country.
The Chao Phraya flows past several provinces before going through
Bangkok and ending into the Gulf of Thailand in Samut Prakan.
It is about 370 kilometers long. The best place to view its origin
is at the Chao Pho Thepharak-Chao Mae Thapthim Shrine.
Tourists can take boat rides to view the scenery on both banks
and pay homage to Luang Pho To Buddha image at Wat Pak Nam Pho
(Wat Thong Thammachat Nua). Boats can be hired from Chao Phraya
Pier.
Wat
Chom Khiri Nat Phrot
Wat Chom Khiri Nat Phrot is on the peak of Khao Buat Nak
between the foot of Dechatiwong Bridge and Chiraprawat Fort. Legend
says that when Burmese troops sacked Ayutthaya for the second
time, they built this temple to show that they also hold the Buddhism
faith. The most interesting objects here are the replica of Lord
Buddha’s Footprint and a convocation hall that locals call
“Bot Thewada Sang.” There is a fair to pay homage and
attach gold leaves to the footprint in November. Boat races are
held in conjunction with the fair.
Getting There :Take Highway No. 32 (Asian Highway) to before
the foot of Dechatiwong Bridge and turn left into the temple.
It is about 1 kilometer from the city.
Wat Krieng Krai Klang
Wat Krieng Krai Klang is at Mu 5, Tambon Kriang Krai,
on the bank of Nan River. Inside is a Sukhothai-style bronze Buddha
image in the Man Wichai posture and an old hall over a hundred
years old. There is also a replica of Lord Buddha’s Footprint
and a mural of Lord Buddha’s life. The area in front of the
temple is inhabited by many monkeys and it is where a crocodile
farm can be found.
Getting There :Take the Nakhon Sawan-Chum Saeng road (Highway
No. 225) for around 10 kilometers. Then turn left at the direction
sign for about 2 kilometers into the temple. It is approximately
12 kilometers from the city. Alternatively, you can charter a
boat from Chao Phraya Pier along the Nan River and disembark at
Wat Kriang Krai Klang Pier.
Wat Si Sawan Sangkharam
Wat Si Sawan Sangkharam (Wat Thu Nam) is at Tambon Nakhon
Sawan. It is an old temple that was used as the site for government
officials to pledge allegiance to the king. Evidence from the
period remains in the form of spear blades, oars, knives and swords,
a gold Buddha image in the Pathom Thetsana posture, and a silver
Buddha image. The main image in the old convocation hall is over
100 years old. In 1976, His Majesty the King, Her Majesty the
Queen and their 2 princesses came here to open the new hall. Now
there is also the pagoda built to commemorate the Golden Jubilee
of His Majesty. Wat Si Sawan Sangkharam is regarded as an old
temple with immense historical value.
Getting There : Take Highway No. 32 (Asian Highway) then
turn left towards Chiraprawat Fort (Highway No. 3001) for around
2 kilometers. Signs along the way point to Wat Thu Nam. The total
distance from the city is about 3 kilometers.
Wat Woranat Banphot
Wat Woranat Banphot (Khao Kop) is an old temple of the
province on the peak of Khao Kop 185.5 meters above sea level.
There are 2 ways up; a stairway of 439 steps and an asphalt road
3 meters wide. The peak has a replica of Lord Buddha’s Footprint
and a pagoda encasing the relic of Lord Buddha built when Sukhothai
was the country’s capital. The temple was praised by the
Department of Religious Affairs as the best development temple
of 1966. A nearby hill is the site of some television relay stations.
Getting There : Use Highway No. 32 (Asian Highway) and
turn right onto Highway No. 117, then another right onto Highway
No. 1 (old highway) into Nakhon Sawan Municipality. Turn left
before reaching the municipality up Khao Kop. It is about 1 kilometer
from the city.
