Discover Thailand: Traveling to Saraburi
Phra Phutthabat – SmileKorn / Shutterstock.com
Saraburi is an interesting city just 107 kilometers from the province of Bangkok. Here you will find a piece of authentic Thailand and home to many interesting temples, some with murals depicting the life of the Buddha and local life.
A Dvaravati-style relief on the wall of a cave in the Kaeng Khoi district is one such gem. In the Temple At Phra Phutthabat you can admire a footprint of the Buddha. Phra Phutthachai, on the other hand, is known for the shadow of the Buddha. The large sandstone rock is home to a faint painting of the Buddha and has therefore become a popular pilgrimage site. In the temple you will find an image of the reclining Buddha. A staircase leads to the cliff, from where you also have a beautiful view on a clear day.
The Buddha's footprint at Phra Phutthabat was discovered during the reign of King Song Tham (1610-1628). Wat Phra Phutthabat is a royal temple of the first class and home to many interesting buildings. It is definitely worth a visit.
The natural beauty of Saraburi is also impressive. The province is home to beautiful national parks, such as Khao Sam Lan National Park, where waterfalls, lush forests and diverse wildlife enchant visitors. The region is also known for its flower fields, especially during the annual flower festival, where the colorful blossoms provide a spectacular sight.
Economically, Saraburi is an important industrial center, best known for its cement production. The region benefits from its strategic location near Bangkok and fertile agricultural land, which contributes to its economic diversity.
For visitors looking for an authentic Thai experience, Saraburi offers a range of cultural festivals and events, local markets selling artisanal products, and a variety of traditional Thai dishes. All in all, Saraburi is a fascinating mix of tradition and natural splendor, a place where Thailand's timeless charm can be fully experienced.
Yes, kings and Dutch made a pilgrimage to the Wat Phra Putthabat. Phutta is, of course, the Buddha and baat (low pitch) is a royal word for 'foot'.
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Long ago, Saraburi was the first city I went to with a friend to be introduced to her family.
Still dear and joyfully cherished in my memories, despite the fact that the (especially high by the family) marriage expectations were soon suppressed by me.
I do remember Saraburi as a cozy and somewhat folkloric town (that may also have been due to my lack of knowledge of the "real Thailand".
Especially the bicycle taxis, the temples and, I suspect, the Chinese stage performances made a big impression on me.
As well as the fact that I enjoyed special interest as a farang in the local market, at a short distance from the metropolis of Bangkok.
But maybe my former tirak was just very well known in the area and everyone was just curious about the (hoped for) new sponsor of her clan…
In any case, the pressure from the family to get married quickly felt so unsubtle that even at the time I experienced it as intimidating and brutal to offensive. Obviously I now understand and respect Thai manners a lot better, but then I felt really shocked and even insulted.
What an evolution I've made since then!
But that teaching really only makes the memory more valuable and therefore more beautiful.
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