Nonthaburi

Overview

Nonthaburi was inhabited more than 400 years ago, since the time of Ayutthaya. The city was originally located in Tambon Baan Talat Khwan, a famous orchard through which the Chao Phraya River and its many channels pass.

What to see

Nonthaburi Town Hall

The old Town Hall in Nonthaburi was built in the reign of Rama VI in the European style and decorated with teak carvings.

Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat

Chalem Phra Kiat Temple, located just below Nonthaburi along the Chauphrai River on its opposite shore, can be reached either by boat or by ferry. The temple was built in the first half of the XIX century, its territory is surrounded by two rows of high walls: the first with battlements, the second with Chinese turrets. The richly decorated main temple and the chedi are distinguished by the beauty of proportions. Only ruins remain of the other two temple buildings.

Bang Yai

Bang Yai District was founded in 1917 as a secondary district. In 1921, it was fully brought to the status of a district. It was originally called Bang Mae Nang, after it was renamed Bang Yai, and was originally called Bang Kruai.

If you take a boat down the Chau Phraya and then turn into the Bang Yai Canal, you can get to the picturesque village of Bang Yai, surrounded by several canals. Along the water route south to Bangkok, interesting beautiful temples will be found along the way. Wat Prang Luang on the right bank dates back to the Ayutthaya era.

Cret Island

Koh Kret is a small island on the Chau Phraya River, which can be reached by boat from the Sanam Nuea Temple (Wat Sanam Nuea). Descendants of the Mon tribe who are engaged in pottery live on the island. Local ceramics are distinguished by their unique reddish-black surface and elegant shapes. A canal tour to Bangbuathong and other interesting places is a real exotic for travelers.

Wat Prasat

Wat Prasat, built around 1700. The typical Ayutthaya—style temple is a famous landmark and a place of tourist pilgrimage. The main sanctuary is richly decorated with sculptures and carvings. Frescoes make a very strong impression. On the right bank you can see the ruins of two more temples, and the Wat Chalo Bang Kruai Temple was built in the Ayutthaya era.

How to get

By car from Bangkok along Samsen Road, turning into Phibul Songkhram Road, along Chau Phrai (approx. 20 km).

By bus from Bangkok from the Southern Bus Terminal, several flights per day.

By boat to Nonthaburi, it is most pleasant to come from Bangkok along the Chau Phrae River. Boats depart regularly from Oriental Pier.

The purple line of the Bangkok Metro also leads here

Surroundings of Nonthaburi

Pak is a Cret

Pakkret is located 8 km north of Nonthaburi, at the place where Chauphraya makes a turn. This ancient Mon settlement can be reached in just 20 minutes by boat. Monas still live in the vicinity of Pakkret, but they have almost assimilated with the Thai population. Pottery in Pakkret has an ancient tradition. Ceramics produced and sold in workshops along the river are distinguished by the perfection of their forms. It is used in everyday life and as a decoration of temples.

Wat Pradu Chimphli

An elegant Mon-style Wat Pradu Chimphli stands on the eastern shore of Kret Island, and a boat dock is located right in front of it. Inside the temple there is a beautiful statue of the Buddha of the Ayutthaya era. The temple dates back to the reign of King Nangklao (Rama III) at the beginning of the Rattanakosin period.