Nonthaburi Province

Nonthaburi นนทบุรี
Province
Impact Muang Thong Thani
Seal
Map of Thailand highlighting       Nonthaburi Province
Coordinates: 13°51′45″N 100°30′52″E / 13.86250°N 100.51444°ECoordinates: 13°51′45″N 100°30′52″E / 13.86250°N 100.51444°E
Founded	1561
Incorporated into Bangkok	1943
Separated from Bangkok	1946
Capital	Nonthaburi
Government
• Governor	Nisit Chansomwong
Area
• Total	622.3 km^2 (240.3 sq mi)
Area rank	Ranked 74th
Population (2014)
• Total	1,173,870
• Rank	Ranked 20th
• Density	1,900/km^2 (4,900/sq mi)
• Density rank	Ranked 2nd
Time zone	ICT (UTC+7)
Postal code	11xxx
Calling code	02
Vehicle registration	นนทบุรี

Nonthaburi (Thai: นนทบุรี, pronounced [nōn.tʰáʔ.bū.rīː]) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand, established by the Act Establishing Changwat Samut Prakan, Changwat Nonthaburi, Changwat Samut Sakhon and Changwat Nakhon Nayok, Buddhist Era 2489 (1946), which came into force on 9 March 1946.

Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Bangkok, and Nakhon Pathom. Nonthaburi is the most densely populated province after Bangkok.

Geography

Nonthaburi is directly northwest of Bangkok on the Chao Phraya River. The province is part of the greater Bangkok Metropolitan Area. In most parts it is as urbanized as the capital, and the boundary between the two provinces is nearly unrecognisable.

History

Nonthaburi was declared a city in the middle of the 16th century, which was previously a village named Talat Khwan. During the reign of King Prasat Thong, a canal was dug to create a shortcut for the flow of the Chao Phraya. The river changed its flow into the new canal, which is still the riverbed today. In 1665 King Narai built a fortress, as the shorter river course was giving enemies an easier route to the capital, Ayutthaya. The town was then also moved near the fortress.

From 1943 to 1946 the province was incorporated into Bangkok.

Symbols

The provincial seal shows earthenware, a traditional product from Nonthaburi. The provincial flower and tree is the yellow flame tree (Peltophorum pterocarpum).

The provincial slogan translates to Grand royal mansion, renowned Suan Somdet, Ko Kret's pottery, famous ancient temples, tasty durians, and the beautiful government office. The royal mansion refers to Phra Tamnak Nonthaburi in Mueang Nonthaburi District, the residence of Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn. Suan Somdet is a water garden in Pak Kret District. The provincial administration building once received an award as the most beautiful such building by the Ministry of Interior.

Agriculture

Nonthaburi Province is renowned for growing the best durian in the country. The best durian farms are next to the river. Durian has been a well-known fruit in this province for 400 years.^[1] The fruit is known as "durian Nont" which means durian from Nonthaburi Province.^[2] It is also known as the most expensive durian in the world.^[1] There are six groups of Nonthaburi durian which are Kop, Luang, Kan Yao, Kampan, Thong Yoi, and miscellaneous.^[2] Most durian orchards are near rivers such as the Chao Phraya. This is because the soil next to the river is good for planting which is also good for durian trees.^[1] However, the majority of durian orchards have disappeared because of flooding and pollution.^[2] The price of durian Non depends on its group. Kan Yao is the most expensive, starting from around 10,000 baht and can be up to 20,000 baht (or about US$600) for one durian. The Kan Yao itself is not easy to find in normal markets. The main reason for the high price is because it is rare. The recent flood in 2011 cleared out almost all of the durian trees in Nonthaburi, and only a few trees have been newly planted.^[1] Also, residential areas are expanding into agricultural areas.^[2]

Administrative divisions

The province is divided into six districts (amphoe). The districts are further subdivided into 52 communes (tambon) and 433 villages.

1. Mueang Nonthaburi
2. Bang Kruai
3. Bang Yai
4. Bang Bua Thong
5. Sai Noi
6. Pak Kret

At the end of 2009, Nonthaburi Province had a population of 1,078,071 people, 507,972 male and 570,099 female.

Tourism

Sights

Wat Khemaphirataram Rajaworawiharn – The major attractions at Wat Khema are its big pagoda enshrining Buddha relics and Buddha's image from the Ayutthaya period as well as Tamnak Daeng Building, and Phra Thinang Monthian Hall.

Wat Sangkhatan – This monastery in Tambon Bang Phai, possibly named Wat Sarikho in the late Ayutthaya Period, was built in Ceylonese-style by skillful craftsmen.

Wat Chotikaram – The most beautiful spot of this monastery is Viharn Song Rong where not only the walls, but also the floor and ceiling are covered with murals.

Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat Worawiharn – The temple reflects King Rama III's favorite style, melding Chinese art in the construction of the monastery. The temple's biggest bronze Buddha image, named "Phraphuttamahalokaphinanthapatima" is enshrined in the ubosot.

Chaloem Kanchanaphisek Park – This 40 acres (160,000 m²) public park commemorates King Bhumibhol's (King Rama IX) golden jubilee. The most remarkable building in the park is "Wimansarannawamin" constructed in Thai-style in the middle of the pond.

Wat Prasat King Narai – the Great of the Ayutthaya period had this monastery built in Mon-style. The ubosot's wall is finely decorated with the paintings of the Ayutthaya period which remain Nonthaburi's oldest murals.

The Museum of Anthropology – is Thailand's first museum of natural history. The exhibition of the history of earth, plants, animals, and human beings is on the first floor while the display on antiques, Buddha images and willowware is on the second floor.

Wat Chomphuwek – Built in the late Ayutthaya era by Mon in 1757, Wat Chomphuwek still has beautiful murals in the wiharn and ubosot, as well as Mon-style pagodas constructed by Mon monks in 1917.

Wat Tamnak Tai – According to the history, prior to the construction of this monastery, the area used to serve as King Krung Thonburi's temporary royal pavilion. It is assumed that the wiharn and the belfry were constructed in 1824 in the period of King Rama III.

The Prathom-Nonthaburi Palace – Built in a mixture of Thai and European styles in 1919, this palace belonged to Prince Juthathuttharadilok, a son of King Chulalongkorn. Within the same compound, there is another palace where a gilded hall places a more than 100-year-old harp of Prince Juthathutharadilok.

Museum and Thai Traditional Medical Training Centre – This three-storey building is built in traditional Thai-style designed by a national artist. The second floor serves as an exhibition hall divided into 7 rooms of the history and evolution of Thai traditional medical profession, traditional medical philosophy, as well as Thai traditional medicines.

Wat Chonlaprathanrangsarit – A big, shady temple in tambon Bang Talat is famous for its Lan Phai Anek Prasong, considered a center for Buddhists attending religious ceremonies as well as listening to sermons from the abbot every Sunday and holy day.

Srinagarindra's Park – A park named after King Rama IX's mother. With an area of about 41 acres (170,000 m²), it is a huge public park where an enormous pond is surrounded by gardens.

Montri Tramote House (Ban Som Song Saeng) – This house belonged to Kru Montri Tramote, a notable Thai musician who lived during the reigns of King Rama V and King Rama IX. The house is open to the public to examine Kru Montri Tramote's ascetic way of life, living Buddhist virtues and non-materialism.

The Horn Museum – An exhibition of horns and antiques dating back 100 years to 16 million years ago, particularly the horns of the herbivore and carnivores of Thailand. Notable is the 2-metre-long mammoth's ivory discovered in northeastern Thailand.

The Lame Animals Aid Foundation (fostered by Luangta Maha Bua) – Today the home of 800 dogs and 150 cats, the foundation is pleased to accept donations such as money, newspapers, rice, etc. Every last Sunday in April is the annual fair, an auction of celebrities' belongings and a performing dog show.

Wat Ku – The temple is known as the place where the shipwreck and drowning of King Rama V's queen took place. A palace was built here to commemorate her death. There is also a pavilion constructed as another remembrance to her death. It imitates Phra Thi Nang Aisawanthipphaya-at in Bang Pa-in royal palace.

Wat Saeng Siritham Floating Market – A floating market on Rattanathibet-Tha It Road, tambon Tha It, promotes local products from the vicinity of the temple as well as from Ko Kret.

Ko Kret – Settled by the descendants of the Mon people who were installed here during the reign of King Krungthonburi, Ko Kret was also the destination of another wave of Mon immigrants in the period of King Rama II.

Wat Poramaiyikawat – In the ubosot is the location of a Buddha image whose face was considered by King Rama V to be very charming lifelike. Another attraction of the temple is a Mon-style carved marble pagoda enshrining Buddha's relics.

Phra Wiharn – This is the venue where a 9.5 metres long reclining Buddha, named "Phra Nonthamunin", of the late-Ayutthaya period is enshrined.

Wat Poramaiyikawat Museum– The museum displays various items such as votive tablets, crystal ware, and porcelain including "hem", a masterpiece made by Colonel Chatwat Ngamniyom.

Wat Sao Tong Thong – This temple, formerly "Wat Suan Mak", is the site of amphoe Pak Kret's first primary school. Behind the chapel, the tallest pagoda of Pak Kret was constructed in the Ayutthaya-style.

Wat Phai Lom – This monastery, built in the late-Ayutthaya period and called by Mon people "Pia To", has a charming chapel.

Wat Chimphli Sutthawat – The temple has a beautiful small chapel that remains nowadays in a very good condition.

Kwan Aman – Considered a Mon cultural centre, this pottery museum is notable for its large collection of distinctive ancient Mon ceramics.

The Dessert Canal (Khlong khanom wan) – Local people living on the canals around Ko Kret earn their living by selling traditional Thai home-made desserts and sweets.

Wat Pho Bang O – This monastery, dating back the Ayutthaya Period, was restored in the reign of King Rama III. Noted for its charming combination of Ayutthaya and Rattanakosin architectures.

Wat Sak Noi – An abandoned temple around 700 metres from Wat Pho Bang O. There is only the ruin of a more than 100-year-old wiharn left.

Wat Phleng – Judging from the edifice's style, this monastery would have been constructed in the reign of King Narai the Great of the Ayutthaya Period. The ancient remains of Wat Phleng that still can be observed are the enormous heart-shaped stones that mark the boundary of the temple and the tiny belfry.

Wat Suan Kaeo – Renowned for its Suan Kaeo Foundation for the social development and the quality of living improvement of impoverished persons. Runs the Rom Pho Kaeo Project, a nursing home project, a nursery daycare project, as well as a supermarket.

Wat Amphawan – Established in the late Ayutthaya Period, Wat Amphawan is famous for the sacred scriptures hall surrounded by water, which represents perfection in Thai architecture.

Wat Seni Wong – The monastery has been built uniquely with the combination of Thai-Chinese-Mon architecture. Besides, Mon-style has also been used when establishing "Chedi Som Prathana" or "the wish-came-true chedi" enshrining Buddha relics.

Sai Noi Floating Market – Travelling to the market by boat along a canal to see how some ordinary Thais live.

Wat Sai Yai – (Close to Sai Noi Municipal Office) 65 Ban Sai Yai, Sai Noi-Ton Chueak Road, the monastery built in 1867 enshrines nowadays a golden Buddha image.

Bang Rak Noi Agricultural Center – An orchard of durians, mangosteens, and mangoes is open to the public for tasting local fruit.

Culture

Festivals

Mon Songkran Festival – at Ko Kret, Amphoe Pak Kret, one week after April 13, with a parade and traditional Mon plays and entertainment.

Nonthaburi Fruits & Fairs – This annual fair is held mid-April to early-June in front of old city hall to celebrate the abundance of local fruit such as durian, mangosteen, and mangos as well as flowers and plants of Nonthaburi. Colorful support comes from parades of decorated floats, exhibitions, local entertainment, and beauty pageants where those put off by the heady scent of durian will find "Miss Durian" less pungent and much more appealing.

Tham Bun Tak Bat Phra Roi Paet Ceremony – This annual ceremony is an old tradition held every November in Amphoe Bang Kruai alongside Khlong Bangkok Noi with the participation of several temples such as Wat Thai Charoen, Wat Bang Krai Nok, Wat Utthayan, and Wat Bang Krai Nai.

Mon classical Dance – Traditional Mon dancing accompanied by the Mon gamelan performed by descendants of Mon at Pak Kret, Phra Pradaeng, and Pathum Thani.

See also

• International School Bangkok

References

1. Gasik, Lindsay. "The Most Expensive Durian In The World; Nonthaburi, Thailand". Year of the Durian. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
2. สำนักบรรณสารสนเทส มสธ. ทุเรียนนนท์ ฝ่ายอุทยานการศึกษา สำนักการศึกษาต่อเนื่อง มหาวิทยาลัยสุโขทัยธรรมาธิราช (Accessed on : 9 Sep 2015)

External links

• Province page from the Tourist Authority of Thailand
• Official website (Thai only)
• Nonthaburi provincial map, coat of arms and postal stamp
• Local history and Durian