Rivers as a means of transportation for both large and small ships and boats was very popular during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V) and they were part of the routes
of his private travel across Thailand. His Majesty was very fond of traveling by boat, sailing along the various rivers, joyfully visiting the citizens in the provinces along the rivers' banks. Traveling incognito, His Majesty was able to come up close and persona: to the people to learn about them, their lives, and their problems. This initiative of His Majesty was significant in helping him to concept and develop projects that would directly benefit the Thai people whom he loved very much. King Rama V selected the Makhamtao River to initiate a survey of riverside life. Though this was a major waterway - long and strong in the past - today it is shallow and broken and hence tracing its origin was challenging. Traveling along this river, on an expedition to find its origin was difficult, but it was fun as well - as we drove along its banks, touring the major sites that His Majesty had visited and stayed.Traveling by road from Suphan Burl to Sankhaburi in Chai Nat, it was not possible to see the original waterway. It was discovered that Tachin River is the same river as Makhamtao River. Obviously a varietyof names was given to various parts of the river, according to the areas through which it flowed, such as Mae Klong River at Sarnut Songkhrarn, Nakhon Chai Si River at Nakhon Fathom, Suphan River at Suphan Buri and Wat Sing Canal at Wat Sing. It was also discovered that Makhamtao River, which parallels the Chao Phraya River at Amphoe Manororn and Sakaekrang River at Utai Thani are the same river called Tachin River. This river was used by Chinese junks which were loaded with goods from China to be sold in the Ayutthaya markets, using Tachin as the checkpoint, at the mouth of the Maeklong River.
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Amphoe Sankhaburi In the Chai Nat province, was an ancient city during Suvarnbhumi period, before Ayutthaya city was built. It was featured in all the three stories of Chao Aye (The First Prince) who ruled Suphan Buri and Chao Yee (The Second Prince) who ruled Sankhaburi, as well as Chao Sampraya (The Third Prince), who ruled Chai Nat. During that time when their father Somdejpra Nakarintaraja passed away, Chao Aye and Chao Yee were fighting, on elephant at Patarn Bridge to win the throne. Unfortunately both brothers died and Chao Sampraya took the throne and ruled Ayutthaya. When King Rama V went on his private visits, he visited Sankha city, which is today known as Sankhaburi and there he took pictures of an ancient pagoda which was shaped like a star fruit - which was the symbol of Sankha city. The city had large jedis and temples, many of which have undergone significant renovations. Today the temple fronts a riverside community featuring many turn-of-the-century wooden houses. Though it was not very busy, there was still-much activity : we saw chopped herbs being dried in the sun, in front of shops that were selling traditional Thai herbs and the weekend n)arkets were extremely busy and crowded. Once the markets dispersed, Sankhaburi was back to its quiet laid-back mood again. Next to Prarnahatat Temple stood the Praya Frock Jedi which has also been renovated. This was built in the Suvarnbhumi period. before Ayutthaya. The area was formerly called Praek Sriracha City, and was ruled by Praya Freak, before it was called Sankhaburi. It was situated by the river that flows down to Noi River in Sing Buri area, which was another cultural hub in the past, with much trading of good along the river.
Traveling further, we reached Praboromatat, Chai Nat, located on the border between Suvarnbhumi and Sukhothai. With this strategic location, Chat Nat was overtaken by Ayutthaya; but later these two became friendly states. The buildings and structures in this Pity showed Influence from Srivichai art of the Sukhothai period. Today, Praboromatat is peaceful compared to the warring days of the past. What remains of the ancient buildings and structures today, are only the Boromatat and the temple from the Sukhothai period temple, which are cared for by only a few monks. Nearby is Chainatmuni National Museum which showcases precious art objects collected from several archeological sites of Chai Nat, Muang Sankha and Utai Thani and assembled there for study purposes.
Chai Nat today has been well promoted by Tourism Authority of Thailand. Its well-known produce include Kaotangkwa pomelo. This species of pomelo was previously planted at Tepo island, Amphoe Manorom, which was later destroyed by floods. Another well-known place is Puangchat Orchard, the largest chemical-free pomelo orchard in Chai Nat, owned by Khun Seri Klamnoi who exports most of the fruits grown here. This orchard is worth a visit - not only for the delicious fruits, but also for interesting information we picked along the way.
From there we crossed Chao Phraya River along the back road leading towards Amphoe Wat Sing arid Kiong Makhamtao, the junction between Chao Phraya River and Tachin River. This area was also a community of boat people. This is also the place that Pakklong Makhamtao Temple was built. There was a famous monk called 'Laungpoo Suk' who taught Kromaluang Churnporn Kettidcrusak,
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The Pie vilt Today. this lain. On a t Kaci Kaefl.v Moiin‑ I 70 be by the esiding -an: River, - [ha. they up id the iie si.eii-sery that a :it pefaun ay tile river happiness. Visitors to the hi -I all the 5-star imury and the Phyamai Resort iey the Sakaekrang to the days ctf old. In the mornings, monks. Then they can go marketing honie. 'these soybean milk - fermi> tlsseum IMing along Sakaekrang Thai adage has wraps up all the charms of Uthai Mani 'Od L.-) Li: 3,. not ruing to appeal. At night, sleep tight, at Utar.techniques of using herbal medicine, as well as magic spells. The temple is very famous for two reasons. Many believed in the inner power of 'Luangpoo Suk' (or Luangpor k) whilst others came to admire the famous paintings by Kromaluang Chumporn Ketudomsak inside the temple, as well as to visit the other parts of the temple, and also to pa:-„, their respects. Today the mouth of Sakaekrang River area has become part of Chao Phraya River. We can only see a little bit of the island at the middle of the river and even this is slowly eroded day by day, and it would be the island will disappear.
By the time we travelled by boat along Sakaekrang River, passing Ruenpae Resort, and Tasoong Temple, Utai Thani's famous temple, we noticed that it was a deja vu, the same river. This part of Sakaekrang River flows from Kwae Takdaed, Wangma River in Lardyao, Nakhon Sawan. The origin of the river is at Mokoju Mountain in China. The east side of the river branches out into a small canal, towards a large pond connecting to Chao Phraya River, leading to Song River. This was where King Rama V used to travel in the paddle boat, reaching the very end of this river.
Sakaekrang Market in Utai Thant is the center of rice fields that produce the premium rice grains explaining the presence of many rice mills and trading markets. Behind one of the market is Khaokaew, where the mondop (shrine) of Sangas Ratanakiri Temple is situated. The famous nationwide annual traditional event is the Devo alms-giving on the final day of the Buddhist Lent in October during which 500 monks will walk down from the top of the mountain. This is an impressive sight. Budct lists believed that both the mountain and temple came about when Buddha came down from Daowadueng heaven onto the earth on Devorohana Day. To mark this belief, the replica of the Buddha's footprints is enshrined in the Sirimaya Kudakarn' temple. Hence, traditionally, Thai people from all over the country will travel to this sacred place, to perform the first alms-giving (rice-giv- ing) to the monks
Another place to pay respect is the statue of King Rama I, the first king of Chakri Dynasty. As a result, this city's pride is that it is the city of Chakri Father.
It can be said that traveling by boat along the Sakaekrang River is like traveling along the route used by King Rama V. The river cruise, operated by Khun Vera Bamrungsri, takes you to the riverside market, Amclicie Manor= (mouth of the river), passing Tasoong Temple. At this temple, there is a temple constructed by the famous Luangpor Luesee Lingdum and Luangpor Pain's team_ Many people come to pay respect as while as to appreciate the beauty of this sacred places, especially the golden shrines, which are somewhat similar to the ones in Bangkok.
Today one can still see many rafts floating along the Sakaekrang River - some are the traditional ones whilst others are new, for the use of tourists who come to visit. One popular attraction is the riverside sala, Ubosotaram Temple, which His Majesty used to visit. Other buildings in the temple that are equally popular are those that have been lovingly restored to their past beauty. This is specially so of the jedis whose architecture symbolizes the styles of three different historical periods. The interior of the temple and vihara contains the murals of the early Ratanakosin period, depicting the life of the villagers and featuring elements of Thai-Chinese cultures. History has it that the Prakru Sunthornmuni (Chan), the abbot, was respected by King Rama V who came to visit him frequently. On one of his visits, King Rama V presented a silver Buddha image as well as a large bell, for the villegrs to pay respect.
By the time we travelled by boat along Sakaekrang River, passing Ruenpae Resort, and Tasoong Temple, Utai Thani's famous temple, we noticed that it was a deja vu, the same river. This part of Sakaekrang River flows from Kwae Takdaed, Wangma River in Lardyao, Nakhon Sawan. The origin of the river is at Mokoju Mountain in China. The east side of the river branches out into a small canal, towards a large pond connecting to Chao Phraya River, leading to Song River. This was where King Rama V used to travel in the paddle boat, reaching the very end of this river.
Sakaekrang Market in Utai Thant is the center of rice fields that produce the premium rice grains explaining the presence of many rice mills and trading markets. Behind one of the market is Khaokaew, where the mondop (shrine) of Sangas Ratanakiri Temple is situated. The famous nationwide annual traditional event is the Devo alms-giving on the final day of the Buddhist Lent in October during which 500 monks will walk down from the top of the mountain. This is an impressive sight. Budct lists believed that both the mountain and temple came about when Buddha came down from Daowadueng heaven onto the earth on Devorohana Day. To mark this belief, the replica of the Buddha's footprints is enshrined in the Sirimaya Kudakarn' temple. Hence, traditionally, Thai people from all over the country will travel to this sacred place, to perform the first alms-giving (rice-giv- ing) to the monks
Another place to pay respect is the statue of King Rama I, the first king of Chakri Dynasty. As a result, this city's pride is that it is the city of Chakri Father.
It can be said that traveling by boat along the Sakaekrang River is like traveling along the route used by King Rama V. The river cruise, operated by Khun Vera Bamrungsri, takes you to the riverside market, Amclicie Manor= (mouth of the river), passing Tasoong Temple. At this temple, there is a temple constructed by the famous Luangpor Luesee Lingdum and Luangpor Pain's team_ Many people come to pay respect as while as to appreciate the beauty of this sacred places, especially the golden shrines, which are somewhat similar to the ones in Bangkok.
Today one can still see many rafts floating along the Sakaekrang River - some are the traditional ones whilst others are new, for the use of tourists who come to visit. One popular attraction is the riverside sala, Ubosotaram Temple, which His Majesty used to visit. Other buildings in the temple that are equally popular are those that have been lovingly restored to their past beauty. This is specially so of the jedis whose architecture symbolizes the styles of three different historical periods. The interior of the temple and vihara contains the murals of the early Ratanakosin period, depicting the life of the villagers and featuring elements of Thai-Chinese cultures. History has it that the Prakru Sunthornmuni (Chan), the abbot, was respected by King Rama V who came to visit him frequently. On one of his visits, King Rama V presented a silver Buddha image as well as a large bell, for the villegrs to pay respect.