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Introduction
Angthong originally known as Muang
Wiset Chai Chan, is located no the Noi River. According to the Royal
Chronicle of Ayutthaya, Angthong was an essential frontier outpost
of Ayutthaya when fighting with the Burmese. In particular during
the last war,the Burmese encamped at Muang Wiset Chai Chan to attack
Ayutthaya causing "the Battle at Bang Rachan" in Singburi the most
important event ever recorded in Thai history. Later during the
Thonburi period, Muang Wiset Chai Chan was moved to a new site on
the left bank of the Chao Phraya River at Ban Bangkaeo and was named
"Muang Angthong" since its new location was a fertile basin similar
to a water and rice bowl of the country. According to traditional
belief, any region which is rich in rice and fish would be similarly
a treasure city filling up with silver and gold.
Angthong is located 108 kilometers from Bangkok, and 35 kilometers
from Ayutthaya. Topographically almost all of the Angthong area is
low plain without any forests or mountains. There are two important
rivers : the Chao Phraya River and the Noi River. Angthong is
administratively divided into 7 districts; Amphoe Muang Angthong,
Wiset Chai Chan, Chaiyo, Pho Thong, Sawaengha, Pa Mok and Samko.
Borders
North: Sing Buri
South: Ayutthaya
East: Ayutthaya and Lop Buri
West: Suphanburi
Distance
from Angthong city of nearby Provinces
Ayutthaya 35 kms.
Lop Buri 40 kms.
Sing Buri 30 kms.
Suphanburi 40 kms.
Distance
from Angthong city to its districts
Chaiyo
18 kms.
Pa Mok
12 kms.
Pho Thong 10
kms.
Samko
25 kms.
Sawaengha 24 kms.
Wiset Chai Chan 13 kms.
How to get there
By Bus
Non-air-conditioned buses leave the Angthong Bus Terminal from
04.00 a.m. to 05.00 p.m. every twenty minutes. The trip takes 2
hours. Air-conditioned buses leave the Northern Terminal Bus from
05.40 a.m. to 07.00 p.m. every 50 minutes. The fare is 61 Baht by
first-air and 48 Baht by seconds- air. The distance is about 106
kilometers. for further information please contact Tel. (02)9361972,
9362841
For transportation between Ayutthaya and Angthong there are
air-conditioned buses leaving Angthong Bus Terminal from 04.00 a.m.
to 05.00 p.m. from Angthong passing Pa-Mok to Ayutthaya and leaving
Ayutthaya (at Ayutthaya bus terminal near Wat Ratchaburana) from
06.30 a.m. to 07.00 p.m. The bus leaves every forty minutes.
By Car
Route 1 Take the Phahonyothin
Highway (High way No.1) from Bangkok and turn onto the Asian Highway
(Highway No. 32), passing Amphoe Bang Pa-In, Ayutthaya, Amphoe Bang
Pahan until you reach Angthong. The total distance is about 105
kilometers which is the shortest route.
Route 2 Take the Bangkok-Pathumthani
Highway, passing Amphoe Pakkret in Nonthaburi. Then take Highway No.
3111, passing Amphoe Bangsai, Amphoe Sena and Ayutthaya. After that
take Highway No. 309, passing Amphoe Pa Mok until you reach Angthong.
The total distance is about 140 kilometers.
Route 3 Take the new road and
cross Somdet Phra Pinklao Bridge until you reach Talingchan. Then
turn onto Highway No. 340, passing Nonthaburi, Pathumthani,
Ayutthaya and Suphanburi. After that Highway No. 3195, passing
Amphoe Wiset Chai Chan to Angthong. The total distance is about 150
kilometers.
Festivals
City of Rice and Water Bowl Fair & Red Cross
Annual Fair
Thai fair of the U - Thong people is held after harvesting in late
February of every year, consisting of interesting of interesting
activities : cultural shows ; exhibitions ; local handicraft sales,
display and demonstrations ; stalls; Muang U-Khao U-Nam beauty
contest ; agricultural product contest ; farmers' sports competition
and various kinds of entertainment.The fair,held in front of
Angthong City Hall lasts for 5 days and nights.
Boat Race Festival at Amphoe Pho Thong
The Boat Race Festival is held at the Noi River in front of Wat
Phogrip, Mu 6, Tambon Samngam, Amphoe Pho Thong. The competition
area is 600 meters in length. Famous boats from all over Thailand
join the race e.g.,Srisuriyothai Boat, Sonsuwan Boat (host),
Samingsao Boat, Thepnorasing Boat etc. The festival is held annually
in October and the competition lasts one day.
Boat Race Festival at Amphoe Chaiyo
The festival is held at the Chao Phraya River in front of Wat Chaiyo
Worawihan, Tambon Chaiyo, Amphoe Chaiyo. The competition area is 600
meters in length. This competition is the country's greatest event,
held annually in October together with the festival of worshipping
Luangpho to at Wat Chaiyo. The festival lasts two days.
Boat Race Festival at Amphoe Pa Mok
The Boat Race Festival held at the Chao Phraya River in front of Wat
Pamok Worawihan, Tambon Pa Mok, Amphoe Pa Mok. The competition area
is 600 metres in length. Famous boats from all over Thailand join
the race. The festival is annually held in October and lasts one
day.
Native Song Festival at Amphoe Wiset Chai Chan
The song festival is held at a temple at Ban Lakkaeo, Amphoe Wiset
Chai Chan beyond Ban Huairong. The temple always holds the biggest
festival in Amphoe Wiset Chai Chan. During the rainy season local
people will gather at this temple performing boat songs in the 11th
or the 12th lunar months since the temple is located on the Noi
River. At this district there are well - known folk song performers
who can perform boat songs, Phleng Choi, Phleng Song Khrung etc. |