The Short List: Saraburi is 108 km north of Bangkok. It has a large population of Thai-Yuan ancestors along both sides of the Pa Sak River in Sao Hai district with the local customs similar to Lanna culture of the Northern region off Thailand such as the dialects, traditional local dance moves, the paper and banana leaf-cutting-handicrafts, and the types of clothing like stripes sarong. Saraburi offers great year-round opportunity for golf.
Things Famous For:
- Wat Phra Buddhabat (Wat Phra Phutthabaat) Ratchavoramahavihan built in the 17th century is one of the very few highest temple ranks in the kingdom. A small and beautiful Mondop (square shrine) enshrines a revered Buddha footprint (Phutthabaat). The Phra Phutthabaat is massive and identifiable by the 108 auspicious distinguishing marks. Phra Phutthabaat is the center of a colorful pilgrimage festival twice a year, in early February on Maka Bucha Day and mid-march.
- Samnak Song Tham Krabawk (Bamboo stalk cave monastery) is a famous unofficial and controversial opium and heroin detoxification center. Originally, the program was run by a Buddhist nun, Mae-Chii Mian. Later since 1959, it was administered by Luang Por Chamrun Panchan who after had treated 57,000 addicts, received the Magsaysay Prize award for his work. Tham Krabawk had a run-in with government officials for harboring up to 20,000 Hmong refugees, some of them allegedly hope to overthrow the communist government in Laos. The Samnak Song is still treating addicts from all over the world.
- Phra Ngam Cave (Beautiful Buddha Cave) has a beautiful Buddha image in Tawaravadee style. There are many other caves nearby and most of them are unexplored.
- Muak Lek Valley was well-known for malaria until Muak Lek has been transformed from a dangerous jungle into dairy land by the Thai-Danish Dairy farm selling fresh milk and milk products. The area is known for having Thai cowboy way of life.
- Tham Dao Khao Kaeo is a cave in Phraya Klang district; after you climb the stairs about 100m up, shine a light in and you will see a delightful sight of stalagmites and stalactites on the cell and wall of the cave.
- Muak Lek Arboretum is a 150 acre intermediate forested area of National Parks and Marine Reserve.
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