FESTIVALS
Chao Pho-Chao Mae Pak Nam Pho Procession Festival
is a festival of Thais of Chinese ancestry who live in Nakhon Sawan. The festival has been continued since ancient times. It is held during Chinese New Year (around February every year) to bring good fortune. The festival features various processions such as lion parade, dragon parade, angel procession, the goddess Kuan Im procession, and others going along main roads in the municipality. The festival is famous among Thais and foreigners.
Boat Races for His Majesty’s Trophy
are held annually at the end of the Buddhist Lent on the Chao Phraya River in front of the Provincial Hall. There are also races at temples along the river, such as Wat Ko Hong and Wat Takhian Luan. The races show the unity of the people, as well as the skill of paddlers and boat owners participating.
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Welcome to Nakhon Sawan
Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand
General
Nakhon Sawan Province, also known as “ Pak Nam Pho ” is where the rivers of Ping, Wang, Yom, and Nan converge and form the Chao Phraya River, the most important waterway of Thailand.
Nakhon Sawan is in the lower northern part of the country between the North and the Central Region. It is regarded as “the doorway to the North” and it is the hub of transportation in the Lower North.
Attractions
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.
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.
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.
Transportation
Bus
There are several regular and air-conditioned buses running daily between Bangkok and Nakhon Sawan. For more information, please contact the Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit), tel. 66 2279 4484-7 (air-conditioned).
Car
From Bangkok, take Highway No. 1 (Phahon Yothin Road) to Km. 52 then Highway No. 32 (Asian Highway) past Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Sing Buri, Chai Nat, and Uthai Thani into Nakhon Sawan. The total distance is about 240 kilometers.
Train
The Northern Line runs many times a day from Bangkok through Nakhon Sawan and ends in Chiang Mai. For more information, please contact the Travel Service Division at tel. 66 2223 7010, 66 223 7020.
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