A fascinating insight into Thai culture
If you ever come near Ratchaburi/Nakhon Pathom, a visit to NaSatta Park is definitely worth it. Normally I'm not a big fan of the parks in Thailand, because foreigners always pay the main price and the descriptions are usually in Thai. If not in NaSatta park.
It must have started out as a wax museum, but that is now just a small part of the modern and beautifully renovated park, which covers an area of 7 hectares. That makes no distinction between Thai and foreigners, so a ticket cost me only 70 baht. Despite the price, there is only one Thai family around. The carts with food, drinks and mementos stand idly by, even though the coffee shop is open.
The first building still houses the necessary wax figures; people who deserve eternal fame in the eyes of the park. We see, among others, the well-known Thai writer Kukri, but also Ho Chi Minh and Chairman Mao. I finally got to meet them (almost) in person, although daughter Lizzy (10) sometimes got a shock when she entered a dimly lit room again.
Then it is the turn of some video presentations about the history of Buddhism in Thailand. Very instructive to be able to distinguish the Buddha statues from three different periods. Please note: everything is in English. Funny is the presentation about Angulimala, the vile bandit who once strung the little fingers of his murdered victims together into a necklace, but eventually converted to Buddhism.
In the park are the necessary reconstructed Thai houses from the various Thai regions. It is somewhat reminiscent of the Zuiderzee Museum in Enkhuizen, although there are dressed employees walking around depicting old crafts. Here we also find the houses and images of deceased monks.
You can also dress in Thai costume in NaSatta. I left it out so as not to get offended.
NaSatta is located at 41/1 Moo 3 Phetkasem-Damnoensudak Road, Tambon Wang Yen in Amphoe Bang Phae. It's on the 3097.
www.nasatta.com
