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Information of NONTHABURI general Information
Nonthaburi is over 400 years old, dating back to when Ayutthaya was the capital. The town was originally located at Tambon Ban Talat Khwan, a famous fruit orchard where the Chao Phraya River and various canals pass through.
King Prasat Thong ordered the digging of a canal as a shortcut from the south of Wat Thai Muang to Wat Khema because the old waterway flowed into Om River to Bang Yai then to Bang Kruai Canal next to Wat Chalo before ending in front of Wat Khema.
After the new shortcut was completed, the Chao Phraya River changed its flow into the new route that remains today. In 1665, King Narai the Great noticed that the new route gave enemies too much proximity to the capital. Therefore, he ordered that a fortress be built at the mouth of Om River and relocated Nonthaburi to this area. A city shrine still stands there.
Later during the reign of King Rama IV of the Rattanakosin period, he ordered the town moved to the mouth of Bang Su Canal in Ban Talat Khwan. King Rama V then had the provincial hall built there on the left bank of the Chao Phraya River. In 1928, the hall was moved to Ratchawitthayalai, Ban Bang Khwan, Tambon Bang Tanao Si. It is now the Training Division of the Ministry of Interior on Pracha Rat 1 Road, Amphoe Muang, on the bank of the Chao Phraya River. The building is of European architecture decorated with patterned woodwork. The Fine Arts Department has registered it as an historical site. The provincial hall is now on Rattanathibet Road.
How to get there
Boat
Take a Tha Chang-Bangkok Noi-Bang Yai ferry line from Chang Pier. It operates from 06.30 to 23.00 hrs. and leaves from the pier every 30 minutes. The best time for the visitors to ride a ferry is from 08.30 to 15.30 hrs.
Car
From Phra Nang Klao Bridge turn left to Bang Kruai for 17 kilometres at Bang Bua Thong junction, turn right to Nonthaburi District Office at Wat Chalo, continue driving for 500 metres. Wat Bang O will be found on the right.
Festivals
Giving Offerings to 108 Monks Festival
Giving Offerings to 108 Monks Festival is held to make merit and has been practiced for decades. The attractive festival is held along the Bangkok Noi Canal at many temples including Wat Thai Charoen, Wat Bang Krai Nok, Wat Utthayan, and Wat Bang Krai Nai. This festival is annually held on the 8th day of the waning moon in the twelfth month of the lunar calendar.
Mon Dance Festival
Mon Dance Festival is one of the oldest Mon dramatic arts. The current Mons have managed to retain the skills of their forefathers. In Pak Kret, Phra Pradaeng and Pathum Thani, many people can still perform the Mon dance and the Mon alto oboe.
Nonthaburi Fruits Fair
Nonthaburi Fruits Fair is an annual fair held during April-June to celebrate the abundance of such local fruits as durian, mangosteen, mango, and star fruit. It is held beside the dam in front of the old city hall in Muang district. Ornamental flowers are also available.
The Mon Songkran
The Mon Songkran is held for one week after April 13th. The event features the Mon procession and entertainment. It is held around Pak Kret district office, Ko Kret. |
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Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat This royal monastry in Tambon Bang Si Muang, Amphoe Muang, was commanded by King Rama III to be constructed of bricks from the demolition of a fortress built in the reign of King Narai the Great; it was dedication to King Rama III's grandparents and the Princess Mother. There are several religious buildings in the area. Inside the main shrine hall (Ubosot) are beautiful mural paintings while beautiful stucco designs decorated with porcelain on the gable and door and window frames are seen outside. |

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Wat Khema Phirataram Also a royal monastery, it is on Phiboon Songkhram Road, Tambon Suan Yai, Amphoe Muang, two kilometers from the provincial township area. It was built in the Ayutthaya period and was renovated in the reigns of Kings Rama II and TV of the Ratanakosin era. Buddha images of the Ayutthaya period are in the Ubosot, Tamnak Daeng Building,and Phra Thinang Monthian Hall. |

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Wat Prasat This monastery is on Bang Kruai - Bang Bua Thong Road in the area of Tambon Bang Krang, Amphoe Muang. The Ubosot is of Ayutthaya art having sophisticated craftsmanship. The designs on the gable of the niche entering the Ubosot and the mural paintings maintain special characteristics of the Nonthahuri school of arts which have always been visited by archaeological students. |

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Wat Chomphuwek This monastery is located in the vicinity of Tambon Tha Sai, Amphoe Muang, on Sanam Bin Nam-Nonthaburi Road. There are beautiful mural paintings in the Vihara and Uhosot, as well as the Mon style pagodas.
This place can be reached by boats which are available at the pier in front of the town gate and also from the agent at the Bridge. |

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Floating Market at Khlong Bang Khu Wiang The floating market is located at the mouth of Khlong Bang Khu Wiang. Tambon Bang Rao Nok, Amphoe Bang Kruai. It takes about 10 minutes by boat to go to this floating market from Amphoe Bang Kruai. |

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The floating market starts around 5.00 a.m. everyday, and finishes when the sun is hot, shortly before mid-day. Sellers bring a large variety of fruits, vegetables and foods along in their small rowing boats. Monks also come in rowing boats and the people will present food to them. The floating market offers a pictures of Traditional Thai life scarcely seen nowadays. |

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Wat Chonprathan Rangsarit This is a Thammayutti monastery located in the vicinity of Tambon Bang Talat, Amphoe Pak Kret and is in the area of the Royal Irrigation Department. Even though it is a newly constructed monastery it is of beautiful style architecture. Its compound is pleasantly shady and a remarkable place for studying the Lord Buddha's teachings. |

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Wat Ku Located in the vicinity of Tambon Bang Phut, Amphoe Pak Kret, four kilometers from the district township area, this monastery was constructed at the time when the Mon people led by Phraya Cheng migrated into the Kingdom during the reign of King Taksin of the Thon Buri era. Construction is of Mon architecture having mural paintings in Mon style. There is a building constructed to commemmorate King Rama V's Queen, Sunantha who was drowned by shipwreck; her body was temporarily placed in the monastery prior to transfer into Bangkok. |

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Wat Paramaiyikawat This old monastery located in the vicinity of Tambon Ko Kret, Amphoe Pak Kret is constructed in Mon style architecture. The main attractions are a large reclining Buddha, mural paintings, a Mon style marble carved pagoda and the principal image in the Ubosot. There is a village, on Ko Kret (Kret Island),where the villagers produce ancient Mon style pottery called "Kwan Aman". It is accessible by a ferry from Wat Sanam Nua which is located not far from the Amphoe Pak Kret office. |

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Suan Tan Noi A flower garden located on the Chao Phraya River bank, amidst an orchard. Within typical Thai houses and a Mon village. To reach the garden one proceeds over the Nonthaburi Bridge passing Wat Ko Kriang, Wat Bang Tanai, and Wat Tan, arriving at the garden. Another way to get there is to park the vehicle at Pak Kret Landing or at Wat Ku; then preceed onto the garden by a ferry. It is open everyday from 08.00 to 17.00 hours and the detailed information can be obtained by dialing Tel: 5833913. |

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Nonthaburi Fruits Fair This annual fair is held during April-June to celebrate the abundance of such local fruits as durian, mangoesteen and mangoes,then at their peak of succulent ripeness. Besides stalls selling the produce of surrounding orchards and local products, there are colourful processions of floats decorated with fruits and flowers, beauty pageants, fruits contests, cultural shows, exhibitions of provincial handicrafts and agricultural produce , and local entertainments |
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Chatuchak Market is one of the largest markets in the world. The market is only open at the weekends, from 7 a.m. until late. Getting to Chatuchak has become a lot easier since the new Subway system opened.
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