Nakhon Sawan, or Paknam Pho, is an important
city where four streams, the Ping, Wang, Yom
and Nan meet to form the Chao Praya River and
is the Gateway to the Northern Region, Nakhon
Sawan has many scenic attractions and is noted
for its large marsh area "Bung Boraphet" which
abounds with "Sua" fish, a special delicacy
of the Thai people.
Covering an area of 9,597.7
square kilometers, Nakhon Sawan is located 240
kms. from Bangkok, and administratively divided
into 12 Amphoes and 1 King Amphoe : Muang, Nong
Bua, Chumsaeng, Baphot Phisai, Latyao, Phayuha
Khiri, Krok Phra, Tha Tako, Takhil, Phaisali,
Takfa, Kao Lieo and King Amphoe Mae Wong. buildings.
Nakhon Sawan Attractions: Wat
Chom Khiri Nak Phrot
This monastery is located outside of the city just before Dejativong
Bridge. It is situated on a low hillock on the left of Phahonyothin
Road. From the heights, one can view the scenic Chao Phraya River
as well as Dejativong Bridge, the first bridge to span the Chao
Phraya River, and another newly built bridge. This monastery houses
the Buddha's footprints where annual celebrations take place every
12th lunar month. In addition there is a pavillion named Sala
"Thevada Sang" said to be built by angels for its seemingly unlimited
capacity.
Khao
Woranat Banphot (Khao Kop) This mountain is located behind
Paknam Pho City, with a wide courtyard and beautiful flower gardens.
It is a popular afternoon rest spot for the city folks. Legend
has it that the mountain-top monastery was built in the Reign
of King Lithai of Sukhothai over 700 years ago. There is, in addition
to pagoda, a Vihara housing the Buddha Footprints. From the mountain-top,
one can view the beautiful scenery of Paknam Pho City, Bung Boraphet-swamp
in the Northeast and a large jungle in the west where mountain
rages appear strung out along the horizon.
Utthayan
Sawan
A large Public
park in an area of 314 rai, is located in the central part of
the city. With a small island in the middle of the small lake,
the park provides all necessary facilities for recreational
purposes
for the locals as well as for the tourists.
Bung
Boraphet Depending on the water lever, it can be a small
sized lake, or a large sized swamp, occupying a vast area of
approximately
140,000 rai. It is the larges aquaculture source
of fresh water
fish in Thailand. There is a museum and aquarium with many species
of fresh water fish. Travel to Bung Boraphet may be arranged by
car, a trip of about 9 kms. on Nakhon Sawan-Chum Saeng Road, while
a boat from the landing behind the City Market takes about half
an hour. To the south of Bung Boraphet, 16 kms. along Nakhon Sawan-Tha
Tako Road, there is Bung Boraphet Widlife Sanctuary or Waterfowls
Park. The park is designed for recreation, abundant in wild animals
and birds of different kinds.
The
Source of Maenam Chao Phraya is a junction of Maenam Ping
and Maenam Nan at Tambon Pak Nam Pho. The waters of the Ping flow
reddish while those of the Nan flow greenish, as visible from
behind a market within the provincial city of Nakhon Sawan, and
when met become the source of Chao Phraya, the most important
river of Thailand.
Dragon
and Lion Procession Each Chinese New Year, thousands of
Thailand Chinese people from several provinces flock into Nakhon
Sawan to celebrate and view the procession, an annual event since
1914. The procession falls on the 4th waxing day of the Chinese
1st lunar month which usually falls around the end of January
or early February of every year. This ceremony of Nakhon Sawan
is organized in a more grandiose manner than those of other provinces
in the country. The colorful and noisy procession includes, among
other things, traditional Cantonese Singhtoh (i.e.Lions), DwarfLion,
Hainanese style Lion, Engkaw, Lorkoh the clamorous symbol-like
and a Taychew musical parade, followed by a long file of hundreds
of beautiful young maidens. During the festival, however, all
hotels of Nakhon Sawan are fully-booked, and the revelers celebrate
day and night, as they do at Chiang Mai's Songkran Festival.
