Nonthaburi is situated in a fertile basin on the bank of the Chao Phraya River.  This abundant town is full of fruit and flower plantations as well as historical temples.  the town is only 20 kms. form Bangkok and is conveniently accessible by road or river.

   Nonthaburi has been found in history as a part of the Ayutthaya Kingdom.  It was once consolidated with Bangkok in 1943 and was re-established as a province in 1946.

   Nonthaburi occupies an area of 622 square kilometres and is administratively divided into six districts: Muang Nonthaburi, Pak Kret, Bang Kruai, Bang Bua Thong and Sai Noi.

ATTRACTIONS

   Old City Hall   -   This was constructed during the reign of King Rama VI in a European architectural style with fine carved teak wood decorated all over the building.  The front area of the city hall facing the Chao Phraya River is used as a rest for the public.

   Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat  -   This royal temple is located on the western side of the river in Tambon Bang Si Muang, Amphoe Muang.  It was constructed under the royal command of King Rama III to the dedication of his mother and grandparents who resided in this area.  The temple was built in a mixed Thai and Chinese architectural style with bricks from the demolition of an old fortress at the mouth of Khlong Om.  It houses a number of shrines and some extremely beautiful paintings on the chapel walls.  Beautiful sculptures have been added to the gable, door and window frames of the chapel.

   Wat Khema Phirataram  -   This riverside temple, located on Phibun Songkhram Road, is 2 kms. south of the town centre.  It was built during the Ayutthaya period and was later renovated in the reigns of king Rama II and IV of the Rattankosin era.  The main pagoda called "Phra Maha Chedi" contains Lord Buddha's relics.  There are Buddha images of the Ayutthaya period enshrined in the ubosot.

   Wat Prasat   -  This temple is on the Bang Kruai-Bang Bua Thong Road or 2 kms. from the river bank in Tambon Bang Krang, Amphoe Muang.  The ubosot is of the Ayutthaya style having sophisticated craftmanship.  The carving designs on the gable of the niche and the mural paintings in the ubosot maintain special characteristics of the Nonthaburi school of arts.

   Wat Chonprathan Rangsarit    -  This is a Thammayutti monastery located in the vicinity of Tambon Bang Talat, Ampoe Pak Kret. Every Sunday and Buddhist holy day, its pleasant compund is always crowded with Buddhists who come to offer food to the monks and listen to the sermon given by the abbot, Phra Thep Wisuthi-Methi (Panya Nandha Bhikku).

   Wat Ku  -   This temple is located in the vicinity of Tambon Bang Phut, 4 kms.  from Amphoe Pak Kert.  It was constructed at the time when the Mon people led by Phraya Cheng migrated into the Kingdom during the reign of King Taksin of the Thonburi era (late 18th century).  There is a building constructed to commemorate King Rama V's Queen Sunantha who drowned in a shipwreck.  Her body was temporarily places in the temple prior to transfer into Bangkok.

   Ko Kret   -  This is a tiny island in the Chao Phraya River, accessible by boat from Wat Sanam Nua, not far from the Pak Kret District Office.  On it live a community of craftsmen famous for their distinctive style of pottery which dates back many centuries.  Ko Kret pots are known for their fine, red-black glazed surface and intricated design.  The islanders are the descendants of the Mon people, and they have managed to retain the skills of their forefathers.

   Wat Paramaiyikawat   -  This ethnic Mon style temple is located on Ko Kret.  It was constructed by the Mon immigrants during the thon Buri period and was later restored in the reign of kIng Rama V.  The temple houses wallpaintings, a marble reclining Buddha image crafted in the Mon style and a chapel decorated with delicate stucco work on the doors and windows.

   Wat Sao Thong Thong   -  This temple of Ayutthaya period is located on Ko Kret.  It is noted for an extremely beautiful Thai-style golden cone ceiling above the principle Buddha image in the the chapel.

   Bang Sai Garden  -  This orchid farm is situated only 2 kms. from pak Kret Intersection along Chaeng Watthana Road.  Orchids of several kinds and colours, as well as other decorated plants are available for gardeners. Call 583-8231 for more information.

   Wat Amphawan   -    This temple of the late Ayutthaya period is located by Kholng (canalX Om in Tambon Bang Muang, Amphoe Bang Yai.  It can be accessed either by boat from the Bang Yai District Office or by the bang Bua Thong-Taling Chan route.  It houses a wooden "Ho Trai Klang Nam" (a hall for keeping a scripture situated in a pond) constructed in magnificent Thai architecture with intricate designs.

   Plant Market  -  Nonthaburi is one of Thailand's major producer for flower and fruit plants.  On a journey along the Taling Chan-Suphan Buri route via Bang Kruai and Bang Yai Districts, a vast variety of plants, both flower and fruit, are available for gardeners.

EVENT

   Nonthaburi Fruits Fair   -   This annual fair is held during April-June to celebrate the abundance of such local fruits as durian, mangosteen and mangoes, then at their peak of succulent ripeness.  Besides stalls selling the produce of surrounding orchards and local products, there are colourful processions of floats decorated with fruits and flowers, beauty pageants, fruits contests, cultural shows, exhibitions of provincial handicrafts and agricultural produce, and local entertainment.