Uthai Thani Province

Infobox Thai Province
name = Uthai Thani
thai = อุทัยธานี
capital = Uthai Thani town
area = 6,730.2
arearank = 30th
population = 304,122
population_as_of = 2000
populationrank = 66th
density = 45
densityrank = 72nd
isocode = TH-61
governor = Udom Phuasakun
governor_since = November 2006
map

Uthai Thani (Thai อุทัยธานี) is one of the provinces ("changwat") of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Nakhon Sawan, Chai Nat, Suphan Buri, Kanchanaburi and Tak.

Geography

The province stretches from the upper plains of the Chao Phraya river valley, to mountains covered with forests in the west. The Sakae Krang River, a tributary of the Chao Phraya River is the main river of Uthai Thani province.

The Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary at the western boundary to the province Tak and was declared World Heritage in 1991. It covers 2,574 km², and houses almost all of the forest animals of South-East Asia, including tigers and elephants.

History

Originally Mon and Lawa settled in the area. A first Thai settlement in the area was Muang U Thai during the Sukhothai period, but was later abandoned when the river changed course. Patabeut, a member of the Karen ethnicity, revived the settlement at its currect place during the Ayutthaya period. It served as a fort protecting the boundary of the kingdom then.

Uthai Thani is most famous as being the hometown of the father of King Rama I. Rama I also renamed the city from its old name "Uthai" to "Uthai Thani".

In 1892 King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) added the area of Uthai Thani to the Monthon Nakhon Sawan, and in 1898 formed the province.

ymbols

Administrative divisions

The province is subdivided in 8 districts ("Amphoe"). These are further subdivided into 70 subdistricts ("tambon") and 642 villages ("muban").

Tourism

ights

Wat Sankat Rattana Khiri (วัดสังกัสรัตนคีรี) Inside the main hall is “Phra Phuttha Mongkhon Sai Sit” or “Luang Pho Mongkhon”, an ancient bronze Buddha image form the Sukhothai period. In addition, in one corner of the temple is a pavilion housing a statue of the father of King Rama I.

Wat Ubosatharam (วัดอุโบสถาราม) Many historical sites and artifacts are found inside. Also of interest are the octagonal multi-tiered rood, the Bot Nam raft, the replica of Lord Buddha’s footprint from the time of King Rama IV, a silver Buddha image, and gifts from King Rama V to Luang Pho Chan Wat Bot.

Bot Nam (โบสถ์น้ำ) It was built to receive King Rama V when he visited northern provinces in 1906. Originally a twin raft, it has an elongated carved apex of the gable like normal temple main halls. Today the raft is used by raft residents for religious ceremonies.

Rafts on Sakae Krang River (เรือนแพลำน้ำสะแกกรัง) reflect the lifestyle of Uthai Thani people that has always been linked with water. Water is used here to grow pandanus and for raising fish in floating baskets, particularly gourami, that has become a main occupation of the province and which has made it famous.

Wat Chantharam or Wat Tha Sung (วัดจันทารามหรือวัดท่าซุง) It is an old temple from the Ayutthaya period. The artifact of the place is a pulpit built by Luang Pho Yai. More buildings were later added by the monk Phra Ratchaphrom Yan Nen (Luang Pho Rusi Ling Dam).

Local History and Cultural Museum (ศูนย์วิทยาศาสตร์เทคโนโลยีและสิ่งแวดล้อม) On display are prehistoric human skeletons, clothes, regalia of city lords, and a room of Thai house and wood models.

Wat Thammakhosok (วัดธรรมโฆษก) It was used to hold rites by Uthai Thani government officials to pledge allegiance to the king as well as an execution site. The most interesting places are the chapel and the main Buddha image hall.

Wat Thap Than (วัดทัพทัน) The item of interest here is the lovely carved door depicting an angel holding an arrow standing on a serpent and another of an angel tending deer holding a pike on a lion.

Thalaad Kwai Thap Than A lively market for water buffalos is located here, a great opportunity to study these huge mammals in large quantities. Ban Khok Mo Weaving Village (แหล่งทอผ้าพื้นเมืองบ้านโคกหม้อ) is a small village of Thai-Lao residents whose ancestors migrated here in the Rattanakosin period. Villagers take up weaving when the harvest ends. They are made from Sin Tin Chok Silk, Mat Mi silk and traditional-style fabrics with floral patterns.

Bung Khok Chang Ancient City (เมืองโบราณบึงคอกช้าง) was a town surrounded by moat and an earth wall. A sacred pond is at the outer corner of each wall. Artefacts unearthed here include tools, utensils and a stone scripture in Mon.

Prehistoric colour drawings at Khao Pla Ra (ภาพเขียนสีก่อนประวัติศาสตร์เขาปลาร้า) Colored cave drawings stretch for around 9 metres. These prehistoric and detailed drawings are of humans and animals in red and black. They are certainly invaluable as artistic heritage of the country.

Tham Hup Pa Tat (ถ้ำหุบป่าตาด) The mountain range surrounding the valley is a limestone range. The way up to the cave is a margosa forest. Therefore, the valley has higher humidity than other parts and this contributes to a wealth of flora.

Tham Khao Khong Chai (ถ้ำเขาฆ้องชัย) is on a limestone mountain range with an elevation of about 353 metres . The range is naturally beautiful and has a large cave in the front part where stone tools and earthenware pieces were discovered.

Khao Phraya Phai Rua (เขาพระยาพายเรือ) The mountain is shaped like a Chinese junk and is surrounded by a natural moat. It is covered with assorted plants and there are altogether 12 caves leading underground. Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary (เขตรักษาพันธุ์สัตว์ป่าห้วยขาแข้ง) consists of almost every kind of forest found in Thailand. The unspoiled nature of the reserve makes it an ideal home to various rare and endangered animals. Due to these attributes, Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Reserve was named by UNESCO as a Natural World Heritage Site.

Ban Samo Thong Hot Spring (น้ำพุร้อนบ้านสมอทอง) This is a small spring that sprouts up to the surface. The water is clear and pungent with the aroma of sulphur. The spring has an area of 4,000 square metres and consists of 3 springs.

Namtok Cyber (น้ำตกไซเบอร์) The waterfall is situated amidst nature surrounded by the Huai Kha Khaeng forest. The water comes from the western mountain of the reserve, resulting in a medium-sized waterfall that drops down several levels before splashing on the boulders below.

Wat Khao Wong (วัดเขาวงพรหมจรรย์) is a temple in a valley. It has a beautiful two-storey Thai-style convocation hall. The monastery is the 13th of 19 branches of Wat Sangkhathan in Nonthaburi that are in places such as Chiang Mai, Um Phang, the United Kingdom, and India.

Lan Sak AmphoeVery old teak trees line this picturesque towns access roads. The town is famous for solid furniture made from this precious wood.

Namtok Pha Rom Yen (น้ำตกผาร่มเย็น) The highlight of the waterfall is its uniqueness of being a limestone waterfall that falls from a cliff. It can be clearly seen from the road nearby. This beautiful waterfall flows from a small stream 4 levels up.

"'Ban I Mat-I Sai Hill Tribe Cultural Centre" is in Tambon Kaen Makrut. The centre has a house with a raised lower floor, a thatched roof and bamboo walls.

Local Products

The crispy Khao Kung Krop (ข้าวกุ้งกรอบ), made from rice and shrimps mixed together and deep-fried. Leading items in restaurant menu are mainly fresh-water fish caught from the river. Pomelo is also widely grown on Ko Thepho.

Local woven materials (ผ้าทอพื้นเมือง)

Products made from bamboo and water hyacinth (เครื่องจักสานจากไม้ไผ่และผักตบชวา)

Culture

Festivals

Tak Bat Thewo Fair (งานตักบาตรเทโว) at Wat Sangkat Rattanakhiri is the most important event held around October. Hundreds of monks residing within the Mueang district walk down the steps from the top of Khao Sakaekrang to accept food offerings from Buddhist devotees who gather in the ground of the temple. The fair is based on the traditional belief that the Lord Buddha on one occasion returned to earth from heaven.

External links

* [http://www.tourismthailand.org/destinationguide/list.aspx?provinceid=48 Province page from the Tourist Authority of Thailand]
* [http://www.uthaithani.go.th/ Website of the province] (Thai only)
* [http://www.thailex.info/THAILEX/THAILEXENG/LEXICON/Copy%20of%20Uthai%20Thani.htm Uthai Thani provincial map, coat of arms and postal stamp]