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AMPHOE HUAI KHOT
Ban Samo Thong Hot Spring
 This
is a small spring that sprouts up to the surface. The hot water
from underground converges to form a little stream that flows down
to Than Khok Khwai or Huai Khun Kaeo. The water is clear and pungent
with the aroma of sulphur. The water is so hot that it can boil
an egg in 5 minutes. The Royla Irrigation Department has constructed
Huai Khun Kaeo Reservoir, flooding the stream and the spring itself.
However, and earth levee has been developed around the spring and
some landscaping has been done to create a good rest area for visitors.
The spring has an area of 4,000 square metres and consists of 3
springs. A mineral bath is available for tourists and nearby is
a 20-metre-high Buddha image sitting high amidst the wonderful scenery
of the area.
Getting There: From Amphoe Ban Rai, take Highway No.3282 (Amphoe
Ban Rai-Amphoe Huai Khot) to Km. 41, then turn right to Ban Wang
Yang Samo Thong for another 24 kilometres. The total distance from
the city is 64 kilometres.
 Namtok
Cyber
This waterfall is in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Reserve and tourists
are permitted to visit it. 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.
Beneath the waterfall is the Cyber Forest Protection Unit. From
here, tourists must walk 105 kilometres to the waterfall.
Getting There: From Uthai Thani, take the Uthai Thani-Nong Chang-Ban
Rai road for about 79 kilometres. From Amphoe Ban Rai, take Highway
No. 3282 to Cyber village in Tambon Khok Khwai for another 30 kilometres.
A sign points to the waterfall, then turn right there for 7 kilometres.
Note: The route into the waterfall is 7 kilometres long and is
a rough laterite road. It is unsuitable for low cars and sedans.
AMPHOE BAN RAI
Ban I Mat-I Sai Hill Tribe Cultural Centre and Karen Village
This hill Tribe centre has a house with a raised lower floor, a
thatched roof and bamboo walls. This is a replica of a Karen house
for tourists to see and there is also a room displaying tools and
utensils of Karens. There is accommodation available and a cultural
performance if advance notice is given. Moreover, there are hill
tribe volunteers taking visitors to see nearby areas. For more information,
please contact Tel: 0 5652 0723, 0 5651 2026.
The Karen village near here is Chao Wat Yang Daeng Village that
strictly adheres to old traditions. It leads a simple lifestyle
and has a peaceful atmosphere. The interesting event of this village
is the New Year Festival that is held on the full moon night of
April.
Getting There: From Amphoe Ban Rai, take Highway No. 3011 (Ban Rai-Phu
Bon) for about 17 kilometres.
 Namtok
Pha Rom Yen
Pha Rom Yen Waterfall is in Ban Mai Rom Yen. 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.
It is about 100 metres high. The highest level is a stream that
falls down to a pool on the second level. The highest level is the
level that can be viewed from the entrance. The beauty of this waterfall
lies in the fact that it falls down a high cliff, splashing into
mist down below. The nearby area is bright green with moss and ferns.
The surrounding nature provides cool shade for visitors.
Getting There: From Amphoe Ban Rai, take Highway No. 3011 (Ban
Rai-Phu Bon) to the entrance of Ban Mai Rom Yen, then turn right
for around 2 kilometres. Then go on foot for 400 metres from the
entrance to the waterfall.
Wat Khao Wong
Wat Khao Wong is a temple in a valley. It has a beautiful two-storey
Thai-style convocation hall. The area has been exquisitely landscaped.
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. The monastery was built in 1987 and has a total area
of 320,000 square metres. The surrounding area is mountain and forest.
The most striking feature of Khao Wong Monastery is the 4-storey
Thai-style multi-purpose pavilion. Built almost entirely of wood,
the pavilion has a pond in front with many fish. Around the pond
is a garden of colourful flowers. The wood used in the pavilion’s
construction was donated by locals and has been transformed into
a work of architecture that retains natural qualities. The monastery
has a monthly meditation class for those who are interested.
Getting There: Use the same route as Phu Wai Cave. It is about 3
kilometres before reaching the cave (there is a cooperative store
selling souvenirs and free accommodation for up to 200 persons).
AMPHOE THAP THAN
Ban Khok Mo Weaving Village
Ban Khok Mo Weaving Village is a small village of Thai-Lao residents
whose ancestors migrated here in the Rattanakosin period. Villagers
take up weaving when the harvest ends. The fabrics produced in the
village are unique. They are made from Sin Tin Chok Silk, Mat Mi
silk and traditional-style fabrics with floral patterns.
Getting There: From Amphoe Thap Than, take Highway No. 3013 to
Amphoe Sawang Arom for approximately 11 kilometres. A 4-kilometre
road leads to Ban Khok Mo. The weaving group is next to Wat Khok
Mo.
Wat Thap Than
Wat Thap Than was built in the Rattanakosin period around 1897.
The locals have shortened the full name to Wat Thap Than. It is
said that this area was where Thai troops caught up with invading
forces in the late Ayutthaya period. Hence, the name of Thap Than.
The monastery has a shady compound and a small chapel and main hall
in the traditional style. 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. The
convocation hall has a main bronze Buddha image in the Man Wichai
posture 1.68 metres wide. The main hall houses a replica of Lord
Buddha’s footprint in bronze.
Getting There: Take Highway No. 3221 (Amphoe Muang-Amphoe Thap
Than) for 19 kilometres. The temple is located on the left about
1 kilometre before the Thap Than district office.
AMPHOE LAN SAK
 Huai
Kha Khaeng Wildlife Reserve
Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Reserve consists of almost every kind of
forest found in Thailand, including mountain virgin forest, dry
virgin forest and pine forest. It has a total area of about 2,780
square kilometres. The reserve covers the sub-districts (Tambon)
of Rabam and Pa O in Amphoe Lan Sak; Khok Khwai and Kaen Makrut
in Amphoe Ban Rai; Thong Lang in Amphoe Huai Khot; and Mae Lamung
of Amphoe Um Phang in Tak. The reserve also connects with Thung
Yai Naresuan in Kanchanaburi. The unspoiled nature of the reserve
makes it an ideal home to various rare and endangered animals such
as wild buffalo, rhinoceros, wild elephant, red gaur, tapir, leopard,
wild bull, etc. In addition, it is the watershed of rivers flowing
to Srinakharin Dam. Due to these attributes, Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife
Reserve was named by UNESCO as a Natural World Heritage Site on
13 December 1991.
Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Reserve has 3 points through which visitors
can tour the area:
1. The area around the reserve headquarters is in Amphoe Lan Sak,
34 kilometres from the district. The area has an exhibition building
and the Sup Nakhasathian Memorial. The Khao Hin Daeng walking nature
trail is about 4 kilometres long. There is also the Pong Thian viewpoint.
2. The area around the Cyber Forest Protection Unit in Amphoe Huai
Khot is the site of the Huai Kha Khaeng Nature and wildlife Study
Centre to be set up by a private organization of Suep Nakhasathian
Foundation under the approval of the Royal Forest Department. The
centre consists of a study, a nature trail that has direction and
information signs, trailside exhibitions, and viewpoints, among
others.
3. The area around Huai Mae Di Noi Forest Protection Unit in Amphoe
Ban Rai has a nature study walking trail arranged by the Royal Forest
Department for educational purposes.
All 3 points are open to tourists who wish to visit the reserve
and study nature. For more information, please contact the Wildlife
Conservation Division, Royal Forest Department, Tel: 0 2561 4292-3
twenty days in advance or Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Reserve, P.O.
Box 4, Amphoe Lan Sak, Uthai Thani 61160.
Getting There: There are 2 routes to the reserve:
First route is to enter through the reserve headquarters that is
around 102 kilometres from the province. Take the Uthai Thani-Nong
Chang road (Highway No. 333) past Amphoe Nong Chang to Highway No.
3438 (Nong Chang-Lan Sak) to Km. 53-54, then turn left onto a laterite
road for about 14 kilometres.
Khao Pla Ra
Prehistoric colour drawings at Khao Pla Ra is another interesting
tourist attraction of Uthai Thani. Khao Pla Ra is a mountain range
with verdant jungles, no communities and natural water sources.
It is also the home of numerous wild animals. It has truly lovely
nature in the area around the cave and cliff in the southwestern
part of the mountain at around 320 metres avove sea level. Colour
cave drawings stretch for around 9 metres. These prehistoric drawings
are of humans and animals in red and black.
They show an agrarian society and are artistic expressions of people
in ancient times. The drawings give insight into their lifestyle
and homesteads. They are certainly invaluable as artistic heritage
of the country. A number of earthenware pieces of three-legged pots
and stone axes were also found in the area.
Getting There: From the city, take Road No. 333 past Amphoe Nong
Chang, then take Road No. 3438 (Amphoe Nong Chang-Amphoe Lan Sak)
for around 21.5 kilometres. You will see the Pla Ra Mountain range
on the left. Then turn left onto an asphalt road for about 7.5 kilometres
and continue on foot around 2 kilometres up the mountain to the
peak to see the prehistoric drawings. The total distance from the
city is around 51.6 kilometres.
Tham Hup Pa Tat
Hup Pa Tat is a large valley with an area of about 48,000 square
metres. The mountain range surrounding the valley is a limestone
range. Part of it is Khao Huai Sok that connects with Khao Pla Ra,
about 1 kilometre away. The way up to the cave is a margosa forest.
Upon reaching the cave mouth you will see a dark cave. After a walk
of around 100 metres, you will emerge from darkness and see the
way down to the valley. Looking around you will see a limestone
mountain surrounded by high cliffs. This enables sunlight to reach
the ground only at midday. Therefore, the valley has higher humidity
than other parts and this contributes to a wealth of flora. The
thick jungle features gigantic shrubs of the genus Excoecaria that
are similar to prehistoric trees.
Getting There: Use the same route as Khao Pla Ra. It is 300 metres
before the mountain.
AMPHOE MUEANG
 Local
History and Cultural Museum
This local museum is at the Uthai Thani Provincial Non-formal Education
Centre on Si Uthai Road near the city hall. On display are prehistoric
human skeletons, clothes, regalia of city lords, and a room of Thai
house and wood models. Advance reservation is necessary. For more
information, please call 0 5651 1511.
Rafts on Sakae Krang River
Rafts on Sakae Krang River 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. Tourists can take a boat to view the life of
people living on rafts on Sakae Krang River by boarding at Lan Sakae
Pier near Municipal 2 Fresh Market in Amphoe Muang or boarding at
Lan Suphannika in front of the provincial hall on Si Uthai Road.
The route passes Wat Tha Sung and ends at Tambon Tha Sung where
Sakae Krang River and Chao Phraya River meets. There are tour boats
serving visitors. For more information, please contact Pan House
Travel at Tel: 0 2933 0577, 0 2538 0335, 0 2538 3705.
Wat Sankat Rattana Khiri
Wat Sankat Rattana Khiri is at the foot of Khao Sakae Krang at the
end of Tha Chang Road in the municipality. Inside the main hall
is “Phra Phuttha Mongkhon Sai Sit” or “Luang Pho Mongkhon”, an ancient
bronze Buddha imae form the Sukhothai period in theMan Wichai posture.
It is 1.5 metres wide and was made in the reign of King Lithai.
In the open area of the temple is a stairway ascending to the top
of Khao Sakae Krang totaling 449 steps. At the peak is a pavilion
with a multi-tiered roof housing a replica of Lord Buddha’s footprint
and a large bronze bell built in the reign of King Rama V. It is
said that this is a sacred bell that visitors to the province who
does not ring the bell is like on who never gets to see the province.
In addition, in one corner of the temple is a pavilion housing
a statue of the father of King Rama I, the founder of the Chakri
dynastr, who was born in Ban Sakae Krang.
Getting There: From the city, take Road No. 3220 and turn left
into the provincial staduum leading up the mountain. The distance
is around 4 kilometres.
Wat Tha Sung
Wat Tha Sung (another name is Wat Chantharam) is at Mu 2, Tambon
Nam Sum. It is an old temple from the Ayutthaya period. It was formerly
called “Wat Chan” which is the name of an abbot. Wat Chantharam
later was abandoned until 1789 when the monk Luang Pho Yai came
here. Villagers asked him to become the abbot of the temple and
he renovated it. The first location of the temple was on the bank
of Sakae Krang River. The artifact of the place is a pulpit built
by Luang Pho Yai that is opposite the temple. More buildings were
later added by the monk Phra Ratchaphrom Yan Nen (Luang Pho Ruesi
Ling Dam). The new convocation hall is beautiful with an ornately
decorated interior. The inner windows and doors have pictures of
angels. His Majesty the King presided over a ceremony to officially
open the building. Surronding the building is a traditional columned
wall. Images of Luang Pho Pan and Luang Pho Yai 3 times the actual
size is at the corner of the front wall. Furthermore, the new site
has a wide area as well as many pavilions with accommodation for
meditation. The main hall is open during 09.00-11.45 hrs. and 14.00-16.00
hrs. daily.
Getting There: From the city, take Road No. 3265 to the ferry at
Amphoe Manorom, about 6 kilometres away. Wat Than Sung is on both
sides.
Wat Thammakhosok
Wat Thammakhosok or called “Wat Rong Kho” by villagers was built
in the early Rattanakosin period. It is on Si Uthai Road, Tambon
Uthai Mai in the municipality. 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 in the temple
are the chapel and the main Buddha image hall. The chapel is of
the Rattanakosin period. A tiled roof covers the building. The Buddha
image here is highly sacred. There are beautiful murals inside,
the works of late Ayutthaya artists. The main hall is a larger building
that is higher than the chapel. A pedestal inside has around 20
Buddha images on it. The outer windowpanes have plaster drawings
of the epic Ramayana as frames. The doors have wooden floral patterns
painted in bright red.
Wat Ubosatharam
 Wat
Ubosatharamwas originally called “Wat Bot Manorom” and is located
in the municipality on the bank of Sakae Krang River opposite Uthai
Thani Fresh Market. It is surmised that it was built in the early
Rattanakosin period. Many historical sites and artifacts are found
inside, such as wall murals in the convocation hall from the early
Rattanakosin period that depict the life of Lord Buddha from birth
till death. They are of exquisite craftsmanship. The murals inside
the main hall are also from the same period and depict Lord Buddha
showing mercy upon angels in heaven and others scenes. Moreover,
there are 3 pagodas, each from different periods and of different
styles. Also of interest are the main hall, the convocation hall,
the prayer building, 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 weighing 30 kilograms, and gifts
from King Rama V to Luang Pho Chan Wat Bot when the king visited
Uthai Thani on 10 August 1906, like a monk’s bowl with a pearl-inlaid
lid, a stone monk’s bowl, a glazed bowl, a sack used when the king
visited Europe, a wide-month urn, a vase, etc.
Bot Nam is in front of Wat Ubosatharam on the bank of Sakae Krang
River. 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. It also had a front
part with a circular sign in Pali stating that the king visited
here in good faith. In 1976, the raft was renovated and made into
a single raft of floors so it is suitable for monks to use. There
is an area for worshippers to sit under a four-sided roof. The sign
has been moved to the middle of front part of the roof. Today the
raft is used by raft residents for religious ceremonies such as
weddings, ordinations, funeral, and merit-making activities.
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