- Nakhon Sawan, or Paknam Pho, is an important city where four streams, the Ping, Wang, Yom, and Nan meet to form the Chao Phraya River and is the Gateway to the Northern Region, Nakhon Sawan has many scenic attractions and it noted for its large marsh area "Bung Boraphet" which abounds with "Sua" fish, a special delicacy of the Thai people.
- Covering an area of 9,597.7 square kilometers, Nakhon Sawan is located 240 kms. from Bangkok, and administratively divided into 12 Amphoes and 1 King Amphoe: Muang, Nong Bua, Chumsaeng, Banphot Phisai, Latyao, Phayuha Khiri, Krok Phra, Tha Tako, Takhli, Phaisali, Takfa, Kao Lieo and King Amphoe Mae Wong.
- How to get there
- By Car : By car, one may follow Highway No. 1, turning onto Highway No. 32 at the 52nd Kilomerter marker.
- By Bus : Information on bus transportation to Pak Nam Pho is available at the Northern Line Bus Terminal
- By Train : There is a daily train from Bangkok to Nakhon Sawan
Tourist Attractions and Places of Interest :
- Wat Chom Khiri Nak Phrot
- The Source of Maenam Chao Phraya
- The Chinese New Year Festival in Pak Nam Pho
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- Bung Boraphet
- Khao Woranat Banphot (Khao Kop)
- Wat Chansen, Takhli District
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The Chinese New Year Festival in Pak Nam Pho: The Great Guardian Spirit Carnival
- Each Chinese New Year, thousands of Thai and Chinese people from several provinces flock into Nakhon Sawan to celebrate and view the procession, an annual event since 1914. The procession falls on the 4th waxing day of the Chinese 1St lunar month which usually falls around the end of January or early February of every year. This ceremony of Nakhon Sawan is organized in a more grandiose manner than those of other provinces in the country. The colorful and noisy procession includes, among other things, traditional Cantonese Singhtoh(i.e. Lions), Dwarf Lion, Hainanese style Lion, Engkaw, Lorkoh the clamorous symbol-like and a Taychew musical parade, followed by a long file of hundreds of beautiful young maidens. During the festival, however, all hotels of Nakhon Sawan are fully-booked, and the revellers celebrate day and night, as they do at Chiang Mai's Songkran Festival.
Wat Chom Khiri Nak Phrot
- This monastery is located outside of the city just before Dejativong Bridge. It is situated on a low hillock on the left of Phahonyothin Road. From the heights, one can view the scenic Chao Phraya River as well as Dejativong Bridge, the first bridge to span the Chao Phraya River and another newly built bridge. This monastery houses the Buddha's footprints where annual celebrations takes place every 12th lunar month. In addition there is a pavilion named Sala "Thevada Sang" said to be built by angels for its seemingly unlimited capacity.
The Source of Maenam Chao Phraya
- The Source of Maenam Chao Phraya is a junction of Maenam Ping and Maenam Nan at Tambon Pak Nam Pho. The waters of the Ping flow reddish while those of the Nan flow greenish, as visible from behind a market within the provincial city of Nakhon Sawan, and when met become the source of Chao Phraya, the most important river of Thailand.
Khao Woranat Banphot (Khao Kop)
- This mountain is located behind Paknam Pho City, with a wide courtyard and beautiful flower gardens. It is a popular afternoon rest spot for the city folks. Legend has it that the mountain-top monastery was built in the Reign of King Lithai of Sukhothai over 700 years ago. There is, in addition to a pagoda, a Vihara housing the Buddha Footprints. From the mountain-top, one can view the beautiful scenery of Paknam Pho City, "Bung Boraphet", swamp in the Northeast and a large jungle in the west where mountain ranges appear strung out along the horizon.
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