Chachoengsao Province

Chachoengsao ฉะเชิงเทรา
Province
Seal
Nickname(s): Paet Riu
Map of Thailand highlighting Chachoengsao Province Map of Thailand highlighting Chachoengsao Province
Country	Thailand
Capital	Chachoengsao town
Government
• Governor	Suraphon Phongthatsirikun (since May 2009)
Area
• Total	5,351 km2 (2,066 sq mi)
Area rank	Ranked 41st
Population (2014)
• Total	695,478
• Rank	Ranked 37th
• Density rank	Ranked 39th
Time zone	ICT (UTC+7)
ISO 3166 code	TH-24

Chachoengsao (Thai ฉะเชิงเทรา (Pronunciation), Thai pronunciation: [tɕàʔ tɕɤːŋ saw]) is a province (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Prachin Buri, Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi, Chon Buri, Samut Prakan, Bangkok, Pathum Thani, and Nakhon Nayok. It has a short coastline on the Gulf of Thailand.

History

Chachoengsao or Paet Rio is a province in Eastern Thailand. It has a history dating back to the reign of King Borommatrailokkanat in the Ayutthaya period. People originally settled by the Bang Pakong River and along canals.

"Luangpho Phuttha Sothon" is a centre of faith of the people of Paet Rio.

In the past, Chachoengsao was a fourth-class city under the Ministry of Defence. During the reign of King Rama I, it was attached to the Ministry of Interior, until the reign of King Rama V who changed the administration system, Chachoengsao became a city in the Prachin Buri Circle. In 1916, its status was changed from a city to a province.

Geography

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Chachoengsao

The west part of the province is the low river plain of the Bang Pa Kong River, which is used extensively for farming rice. To the east is hillier terrain, with an average height of more than 100 m above sea level.

Symbols

The provincial seal shows the main hall of the Sothornvararamvoraviharn temple. In this hall is the most important Buddha image of the province, known as Luangpho Phutthasothon.

The provincial tree is Peltophorum dasyrachis. The tree was assigned to the province by Queen Sirikit on the 50th anniversary of the coronation of King Rama IX in 2000. The provincial flower is the Yellow Flamboyant (Peltophorum pterocarpum).

The provincial slogan is The Bountiful Bang Pakong River,the Sacred Buddha Image of Luangpho Sothon, Phraya Si Sunthon the Scholar of Thai Language, and the Pristine Ang Rue Nai Forest

Administrative divisions

Map of Amphoe

The provinces is subdivided into 11 districts (amphoe). These are further subdivided into 93 subdistricts (tambon) and 859 villages (muban).

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Tourism

Interesting Places

File:Wat Hong.jpg

Wat Sothornwararamworaviharn

Phraya Sri Sunthorn Voharn Monument (Noi Ajarnrayangoon), the philosopher of Thai language. He was a courtier King Rama V. He wrote many works which are considered as Thai literature.

Wat Sothon Wararam Woraviharn or Wat Hong is the oldest temple in Chachoengsao. It was built in the reign of the late Krung Sri Ayudhaya time. There Buddha in this temple is the famous, "Luang Por Sothorn". This Buddha is the symbol of Chachoengsao, and is revered by locals.

Chachoengsao Fortifications: These are located at Marupong road. They were constructed in the time of King Rama III. There are many cannons on its walls. These fortifications were built by the Siamese for fighting against the Angyee rebel.

Chao Mae Guan Im Loy Nam. This Goddess Guan Im (Guan Yin) figure was created from ceramic. It was located at Suppakij road. It was found in 1997 around Bangpakong bridge.

Khao Hin Sorn. It is the small hill. Its attractiveness is the curious stone formation, which are located as though someone had set them up.

Phraya Sisunthonwohan (Noi Acharayangkun) Monument Phraya Sisunthonwohan (Noi Acharayangkun) was a native of Paet Rio. He was the author of many textbooks on Thai language for purposes, such as Munlabot Banphakit, Wahanit Nikon, Akson Prayok, Sangyok Phithan, Waiphot Phichan, Phisan Karan, etc.; these were considered the most complete textbooks for Thai youth at that time.

Chachoengsao City Fortress (ป้อมเมืองฉะเชิงเทรา) was built to protect against an enemy invasion. In the reign of King Rama V, it was a stronghold for an army to suppress the Ang Yi rebellion of illegal Chinese opium traders who instigated chaos and robbed the people.

City Pillar Shrine (ศาลหลักเมือง) The building of Thai architecture has a four-porched roof with a Prang finial. Inside, two city pillars are housed. The old one was built in 1834 during the reign of King Rama III. The other belongs to the present day; it was constructed in 1895 during the reign of King Rama V.

Suan Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Park Chachoengsao (สวนสมเด็จพระศรีนครินทร์ฉะเชิงเทรา) The park is dedicated to the memory of the mother of the King of Thailand. It is located in front of the provincial hall, near the town centre. There is a large lagoon at its centre surrounded by a walking path and shady trees. It is a popular recreation facility for local residents.

Wat Mueang or Wat Pitulathirat Rangsarit (วัดเมืองหรือวัดปิตุลาธิราชรังสฤษฎิ์) Initially, the temple was called ‘Wat Mueang.’ In 1908, King Rama V on his royal visit to Chachoengsao renamed the temple ‘Wat Pitulathirat Rangsarit,’ which means, "The temple built by the king’s uncle".

Kuan Im Loi Nam The Seneca ceramic tile statue in the round of Kuan Im or Kuan Yin (Goddess of Mercy) is around 119 cm high and weighs 40 kg. This yellowish solid figure holds a scripture. Therefore, this is considered Kuan Yin in the posture of holding a scripture to preach humanity of all classes and castes.

Wat Uphai Phatikaram or Wat Sam Po Kong (วัดอุภัยภาติการามหรือวัดซำปอกง) On the temple grounds, a Chinese style pavilion houses Luangpho To (Phra Trairattana Nayok) or called by the Chinese people as ‘Chaopho Sam Po Kong.’ This is one of only three Buddha images in this form found in Thailand.

Talat Ban Mai or Talat Rim Nam Roi Pi (ตลาดบ้านใหม่หรือตลาดริมน้ำร้อยปี) It is a traditional market by the Bang Pakong River and has been here for more than 100 years. This riverside community has reflected the villagers’ way of life since before the reign of King Rama V.

Wat Chin Pracha Samoson (Wat Leng Hok Yi) It is a Chinese temple in Mahayana Buddhism, which extends from Wat Leng Noei Yi in Bangkok. There are three principal Buddha images and eighteen of the Perfected One, which were made from paper and brought in from China.

Wat Phayakkha Intharam or Wat Chedi (วัดพยัคฆอินทารามหรือวัดเจดีย์) A silver inscription found in the crack at the neck of the bell body of the giant pagoda on the temple ground made it known that the temple had been built during the reign of King Rama V, by Nai Suea or Phra Kriangkraikrabuanyut, who was chief of the city of Chachoengsao, and his wife named In.

Wat Sampathuan Nok The most interesting item is the Ubosot (ordination hall) with the stucco design on the eaves of its balcony, built when Phra Phutthirangsimuniwong (Ho Phromchoto) was the Abbot. The Bang Pakong Dam can be seen in the distance from the temple’s pier.

Bang Pakong Dam (เขื่อนทดน้ำบางปะกง) The dam serves as a wall to protect the area from salt water, and is a source of water for consumption, and ato support an expansion of the industrial sector in the East.

Talat Khlong Suan Roi Pi (100-year-old Garden-Canal Market) From the past to the present, the people here, a combination of Thai Chinese, Buddhist, and Muslim people, live their happy life harmoniously. The market is the ideal to show the old ways of life of more than 100 years ago.

The Shrine and Monument of King Taksin the Great (ศาลและอนุสาวรีย์สมเด็จพระเจ้าตากสินมหาราช) were built as a memorial to the King who won a Battle against Burmese troops at the mouth of the Cholo River.

Wat Pho Bang The reclining Buddha image is enshrined in the hall. Within the temple compound, many Khangkhao Mae Kai (flying foxes) are seen on trees. This is the world’s largest species of bats. The bats here are known to fly to feed along the Thai/Cambodian border.

Wat Chaeng (วัดแจ้ง) The beautiful Ubosot (ordination hall) is a combination of Sino – Thai arts, with sculptures of an ogre on its sides. It is unknown when it was built. There is a legend that on the way to beat the Khmer, King Rama I, led his troops to arrive at this place at dawn, so a temple was built and named ‘Wat Chaeng,’ literally meaning ‘temple of dawn.’

King Taksin the Great Stupa Memorial (อนุสรณ์สถานพระสถูปเจดีย์สมเด็จพระเจ้าตากสินมหาราช) A pagoda was constructed by the king to commemorate his victory. Later, the area was eroded by currents before the pagoda collapsed around 1948. Then, the stupa memorial was built on the same area.

Muban Namtan Sot (หมู่บ้านน้ำตาลสด) This palm sap village is the sole production source of ready-to-drink palm sap in the East. Ypu can see the process of making palm sap from palm trees and witness the lifestyle of farmers who make palm sap.

Mango Orchards (สวนมะม่วง) Chachoengsao The mango trees are mostly found in Amphoe Bang Khla and Amphoe Plaeng Yao. Popular varieties being grown by mango farmers are Raet, Khiao Sawoei, Nam Dok Mai, Chaokhun Thip, Thong Dam, etc. The mango season begins in March.

Khao Hin Son Royal Development Study Centre The area can be considered a living natural museum and a comprehensive development centre. It can also serve as a model and set an example of development for other areas, and is supported by both government agencies and the private sector.

Khao Hin Son (เขาหินซ้อน) is a fairly high mountain consisting of small and large rocks in different shapes scattered by nature. Around Khao Hin Son is ‘Saun Rukkhachat Somdet Phra Pinklao,’ or the arboretum where the shrine of Somdet Phra Pinklao is located.

Wanakaset or Village Society Development Study Centre or Ban Santitham (วนเกษตรหรือศูนย์ศึกษาพัฒนาการสังคมหมู่บ้านหรือบ้านศานติธรรม) More than 700 - 800 species of plants are grown as herbs for medical treatment. Inside, there is a wooden Thai–styled house on stilts with rhombus-shaped roof tiles.

Wat Phrathat Wayo (Wat Huai Nam Sap) Inside, there are many Buddha images and oil paintings depicting the Lord Buddha’s life. In addition, in the temple compound lays the monument of Than Pho Khun, monument of Somdet Pho Saen Kham Fa, and Wihan (hall) of the reclining Buddha image.

Krabok Khu Wildlife Breeding Station (สถานีเพาะเลี้ยงสัตว์ป่ากระบกคู่) The station conducts research, breeding, and conservation of rare and endangered species.

Khlong Siyat Reservoir (อ่างเก็บน้ำคลองสียัด) The reservoir’s entrance is opposite the Khlong Takrao Sub-district Administration Organisation.

File:นายกรัฐมนตรี เป็นประธานพิธีเปิดงานรวมใจภักดิ์อนุรักษ์ส - Flickr - Abhisit Vejjajiva.jpg

Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary

Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary is a conservation zone covering an area of 643,750 rai in the heart of a vast forest land. This is the last abundant piece of forest land of the East, and there is much biodiversity. Also, it is the source of the Bang Pakong River in Chachoengsao, the Tanot Canal in Chanthaburi, and the Prasae River in Rayong.

Local Products

Agricultural Produce including mango of different varieties, jasmine rice, eggs, fresh shrimp, and aromatic coconut. All are available for general sale in Chachoengsao.

Desserts are Krayasat (sticky and sweet rice), Khanom Pia (Chinese pastry), and Khanom Chak (cononut meat, flour, and sugar mixed and grilled).

Culture

Festivals

• Luangpho Sothon Worship Fair is held three times a year in the lunar calendar:
  1. Chinese New Year Festival is held by the Chinese Association together with merchants, civil servants, and the people of Chachoengsao, from the first day to the fifth day of the waxing moon in the Chinese first lunar month, totalling five days and nights.
  2. Mid-Fifth Month Festival starts from the full moon day to the second day of the waning moon, totalling three days and nights. It is held to mark the movement of Luangpho Sothon from the river to be enshrined at the temple.
  3. Mid-Twelfth Month Festival starts from the twelfth day of the waxing moon to the first day of the waning moon. Back in 1890, there was an outbreak of smallpox. The villagers at the time asked for recovery from illness with Luangpho Sothon, and held a ceremony to celebrate the Buddha image. The celebration has become a tradition. Presently, Chachoengsao Province and Wat Sothon jointly hold the Luangpho Sothon Worship Fair and the Chachoengsao Red Cross Fair every year. The celebrations and the procession of the replica of Luangpho Sothon by land and by river are the great annual event of the province.
• Paet Rio Mango and Products Fair is held around March to April of every year at Phutthasothon School in Amphoe Mueang Chachoengsao, when mango trees bear fruit. There are booths of mango and agricultural produce on sale, agricultural produce contests, and agricultural exhibitions.
• Chachoengsao Red Cross Fair coincides with the Luangpho Sothon Worship Fair in November of every year at the Suan Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Park Chachoengsao.

External links

• Chachoengsao travel guide from Wikivoyage
• Website of province
• Province page from the Tourist Authority of Thailand