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Saraburi
General Information
Saraburi, the province of historical sites, the holy footprint, the beauty of nature, and famous food, is located some 108 kilometres from Bangkok. Travelling to and around Saraburi could be made in one day. The province is administratively divided into 13 districts: Muang Saraburi, Nong Saeng, Sao Hai, Ban Mo, Phra Phutthabat, Nong Don, Kaeng Khoi, Muak Lek, Wang Muang, Wihan Daeng, Nong Khae, Don Phut, and Chaloem Phra Kiat.
Symbol
The provincial seal shows the temple Wat Phra Buddha Baat. In the 17th century a hunter found a puddle of water which looked like a (oversized) footprint. It was declared a footprint of Buddha, and the temple was built around it. Phra Phutthabat means footprint of Buddha.
Provincial tree is Lagerstroemia floribunda, provincial flower is the Yellow Cotton Tree (Cochlospermum regium).
Getting there
By Car
From Bangkok, take Highway No. 1 (Phahonyothin) to the traffic roundabout at Bang Pa- In, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, and then turn right to Mittraphap Road, which is some 60 kilometers from Saraburi town.
By Bus
There are many daily regular buses and air-conditioned coaches from the Northeastern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit 2) on Kamphaeng Phet II Road. Call: 0-2537-8055 for more information.
By Train
From Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lamphong), there are daily Bangkok-Saraburi trains. A stop at Kaeng Khoi and Muak Lek could also be made. Call the Travel Service Bureau at 0-2223-7010 or 0-2223-7020 for more information.
Festivals
Chao Pho Khao Tok Festival
Chao Pho Khao Tok Festival or Chao Pho Khao Tok Procession is an annual festival. The event features the supernatural power performances of Chao Pho Khao Tok and walking on fire, Lo Ko dragon parade, and Chinese opera. Mostly Chinese people, especially the pupils of Chao Pho Khao Tok, will come to join the festival. The event is held from the first day of the waxing moon in the fourth month of the lunar calendar for 4 days at Wat Phra Phutthabat Ratchaworamahawihan in Phra Phutthabat district.
Hae Phra Khiao Kaeo
Hae Phra Khiao Kaeo, or Celebrations of Lord Buddha's Tooth. Buddhists believe that Phra Khiao Kaeo is the tooth of Lord Buddha. The festival is held on the first day of the waxing moon in the fourth month of the lunar calendar. The people of Amphoe Phra Phutthabat will present the tooth that is to be taken from Wat Phra Phutthabat Ratchaworamahawihan Museum and bear it in a procession around the town. They believe that if the procession is held, they will live in wealth and happiness.
Kam Fa Festival
Kam Fa Festival is held on the second day of the waxing moon in the third month of the lunar calendar. The festival features folk entertainments and activities including a pitch and toss game, cockfighting, toasting rice in bamboo, etc. On the third day of waxing moon in the third month of the lunar calendar, people perform merit making and attend sermons, cook and tell stories about ancestors. The festival takes place annually at Tambon Phai Lio, Don Phut district.
Pa Sak Boat Racing Festival
Pa Sak Boat Racing Festival is a major annual regatta that takes place in front of Sao Hai district offices pier on the last Saturday or Sunday of September. Famous boats from all over the country join in the race. This festival preserves local tradition.
Phra Phutthabat Homage-paying Festival
Phra Phutthabat Homage-paying Festival Stems from the time when Lord Buddha's Footprint was found in the reign of King Songtham of Ayutthaya. The mondop was built to cover the footprint. At present, the footprint is situated at Wat Phra Phutthabat Ratchaworamahawihan, Tambon Khun Khon. A large number of Thais and foreigners come to Phra Phutthabat during the event. The event is held twice a year: from the first day till the fifteenth day of the waxing moon in the third month of the lunar calendar totaling 15 days; and from the eighth day until the fifteenth day of the waxing moon in the fourth month of the lunar calendar for 8 days.
Songkran Song Nam Sao Nang Takian Wat Sung
Songkran Song Nam Sao Nang Takian Wat Sung is held annually on April 23 in front of Wat Sung's chapel, Sao Hai district. People perform merit making by pouring water to the elders and to Nang Takian pillar.
Tak Bat Dok Mai
Tak Bat Dok Mai, the Food Offering Festival, is an important event of Phra Phutthabat district. This impressive merit-making ceremony is held to coincide with the start of the annual three-month Buddhist Lent (around June-July) when Buddhist monks must stay in their temples. In the morning, the people will offer food and candles to Wat Phra Phutthabat Ratchaworamahawihan, Tambon Khun Khon, Phra Phutthabat district. They will go to collect a kind of flower called The Flower of Buddhist Lent, to offer to the monks for merit. The herb-like flower has yellow or white colors and is found at a hillside only during the Buddhist Lent period in Saraburi. While the monks come along the passage to bring the flowers to pay homage to Lord Buddha's Footprint, people will wait at the stairs with a bowl of clean water floating Mimusops. They will pour the water onto the feet of the monks and the novices as a means of cleaning ones mind.
Interesting Products
Food and Dairy Products
Products from the Dairy Farming Promotion Organisation of Thailand, Muak Lek cooperatives and private organizations are sold, including sweet beef, salted beef, curry puff, vegetables and seasonal fruit like Nong Saeng mangoes, oranges, watermelons, custard apple, and cauliflowers. They are sold at Muak Lek district and the markets.
Local Hand-Woven Fabrics
The distinctive style of northeastern fabrics like Tin Chok silk and Matmi silk of the Thai Yuan people are sold at Tam on Ton Tan, Tambon Sao Hai, Tambon Tao Phun in Khaeng Khoi district and Tambon Nong Khae in Phra Phutthabat district.
Weaving Basketry
Bamboo and Reed Mat Weaving Basketry.
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