Ang Thong Province in Central Thailand

 

Ang Thong

Ang Thong is small province located on the bank of Chao Phraya River having an area of 968 square kilometers. It is a low basin of sand soil having much rain during the rainy season.

Ang Thong is only 108 kilometers along the Asian Highway from Bangkok.

It is administratively divided into seven Amphoe(Districts) : Muang ng Thong , Chaiyo, Pa Mok, Pho Thong, Sawaengha, Wiset Chai Chan and Samko.

 

What to see and what to do in Ang Thong?

 

Wat Chaiyo Worawihan is a monastery, located 18 kilometer from Amphoe Muang. It houses Phra Maha Phim which is in the attitude of meditation. It was built by Somdet Phra Phutthachan (To Phrom Rangsi) of Wat Rakhang during the reign of King Rama IV. This Buddha image is highly respected by inhabitants of Ang Thong Province and the neighbouring provinces especially by those who collect small Buddha images. They know that the ammulets called "Somdet Wat Chaiyo" are very popular and very difficult to locate.

Reclining Buddha of Wat Khun Inthapramun

This 50 meters long Reclining Buddha is housed in Wat Khun Inthapramun, Amphoe Pho Thong, 11 kilometers from town. The monastery is located in the open air of rice fields having no roof because the Wihan housing the images is in ruins. In front of this images lies a statue of man who, according to the legend, is Khun Inthapramun. He was a revenue officer who secretly took away the official money to enlarge the original 40 meters image. The King heard about that and interrogated him where he got the money. He didn't answer and was whipped to death, thus originating the name of the monastery, Wat Khun Inthapramun.

Wat Khun Inthapramum, Recling Buddha

Wat Khun Inthapramum, Reclining Buddha

Wat Pho Thong is a monastery located in Amphoe Pho Thong ,nine kilometers from the Amphoe office. Here Prince Uthumphon (Khun Luang Ha Wat) resided during his second monkhood period. He built the interesting Kham Yat Hall as his residence. Amphoe Pho Thong is famed for the beautiful craftsmanship in wicker-ware items of special Dok Phikun design which are often bought by tourists as souvenirs.

Wat Phra Phuttha Saiyat Pa Mok is a royal grade monastery (Wora Wihan) located at Amphoe Pa Mok, 18 kilometers from Amphoe Muang. There is very old Reclining Buddha Image which is 22.58 meters long. It is found in the royal record that King Naresuan stopped over the convene his troops and pay homage to this Reclining Buddha prior to leading them to fight King Maha Uparacha of Burma.

Ban Bang Phae ( Drum Making Village ) village is located in Amphoe Pa Mok and accessible by the road passing the Municipality Office. It is parallel to the Yang Mani Irrigation Canal, after which one enters the village situated on the bank of the Chao Phraya River. Drums produced in this village vary from small souvenir size to the very large temple size.

Wat Sa Kaeo built in 1699, is located 15 kilometers from Ayutthaya along Highway 309 ( Ayutthaya-Ang Thong route ) with a left turn into the monastery. Wat Sa Kaeo serves as an orphanage for a large of children. Also situated within the precincts of the monastery is "Samakkhi-samakhan", a royal cloth weaving project under under the Ministry of Industry. Many kinds of clothes are made here, such as long, simple, cotton skirts and loincloths.

Ban Bang Sadet Miniature Doll Center under Royal Patronage of Her Majesty the Queen.

This is a small village where people manage to improve their standard of living by making miniature dolls. The Dolls are on display at the sermon hall of the Wat Tha Sutthawat and are available at Chitralada shop.