Chachoengsao

Chachoengsao

General Information

Chachoengsao or Paet Rio is located on the east of Bangkok. Its fertility is due to Bang Pakong River. It is an important venue for agricultural products in the Central Region, with mango as the most popular fruit of the province. Moreover, it is the location of the sacred Phra Phutthasothon Buddha image.
Derived from Khmer, the name Chachoengsao means deep canal, while the name of Paet Rio (Paet means eight and Rio means stripes) has been believed to have come from the way dried fish (which are abundant in the area) were being pierced into eight stripes.
The history of Chachoengsao dated back since the Chachoengsao Period during the reign of King Phra Borom Tri Lokkanat. Most people live along the banks of Bang Pakong River and canals. Phra Phutthasothon or Luang Pho Sothon is the center of beliefs and faith. In the past, Chachoengsao was a small town, and was upgraded to a province in 1916.
Chachoengsao is 80 kilometers from Bangkok, with the area of 5,351 square kilometers. The local administration is divided into 10 Amphoe (district) and 1 King Amphoe (sub-district), namely: Amphoe Muang, Bang Khla, Bang Nam Prieo, Bang Pakong, Ban Pho, Phanom Sarakham, Sanam Chai Khet, Plaeng Yao, Ratchasan, Tha Takiap, and King Amphoe Khlong Khuean.

Phraya Sri Sunthorn Voharn Monument (Noi Ajarnrayangoon)

The philosopher of Thai language. He is the nobleman of King Rama V. He had designed many Thai Language books.

Wat Sothornwararamworaviharn

Or Wat Hong is the oldest temple in Chachoengsao. It was built in late Krung Sri Ayudhaya time. There is the famous Buddha in this temple, “Luang Por Sothorn”. This Buddha was the symbol of Chachoengsao.

Chachoengsao Fortification

It was located at Marupong road. It was constructed in King Rama III time. There are many cannons on the wall. These fortifications used to be the base for fighting against the Angyee rebel.

Suan Somdej Phra Sri Nakaring Chachoengsao

It was located in front of the province main hall. This garden has the big lake in the central of the park. It is the place for people recreation.

Chao Mae Guan Im Loy Nam

This God Guan Im 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 many thousands of stone. All of them were located in order like someone set it up.

Traveling to nearby

From Chachoengsao, visitors can travel to Chonburi, Sa Kaeo, Prachin Buri, and Nakhon Nayok. Moreover, buses from other provinces pass Chachoengsao. They are from Chaing Mai, Phrae, Uttaradit, Phitsanulok, Saraburi, Phayao, Chiang Rai, Lop Buri, Rayong, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Surin, and Si Sa Ket.

Symbol

The provincial seal shows the main hall of the Sothornvararamvoraviharn temple. In this hall is the most important Buddha image of the province, called Luang Por Buddha Sothorn.
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. Provincial flower is the Yellow Flamboyant.

Getting there

By Car

From Bangkok, there are 3 routes to Chachoengsao:
• Use highway No.304, via Min Buri, with the distance of 82 kilometers.
• Use Bang Na Trat highway, turn left before reaching the bridge over Bang Pakong River to highway No.314. The total distance is 100 kilometers.
• Use highway No.3, via Samut Prakarn and Bang Pakong, then turn left to highway No.314. The total distance is 106 kilometers.

By Bus

There are buses leaving from 2 bus terminals: From Mor Chit 2 Bus Terminal (Tel: 0 2936 2852 66) First and second-class air-conditioned buses leave every 40 minutes during 06:00 17:00 hrs. The fare is 40 and 36 Baht, respectively.
Regular buses leave every 30 minutes during 05:40 19:00 hrs. The fare is 26 Baht. From Eastern Bus Terminal (at Ekkamai) (Tel: 0 2392 2391) First class air-conditioned buses leave every 40 minutes during 06:30 17:00 hrs. The fare is 59 Baht. Regular buses leave every 30 minutes during 05:40 19:00 hrs. The fare is 33 Baht.

By Train

The trains from Hua Lamphong Station to Chachoengsao leave every day, 9 trains/day, both regular and air-conditioned during 06:00 17:25 hrs. The fare is 40 Baht for air-conditioned and 13 Baht for regular one. For more details, contact 0 2223 7010, 0 2223 7020.

Festivals

Luang Pho Sothon Celebrating Festival

The festival is held three times a year.

1. Around April to celebrate the occasion of lifting Luang Pho Sothorn from the river. Open theatres are provided all through these three days and three nights.
2. Around November to commemorate the occasion of subsiding of smallpox in 1890. It was believed that due to the help of Luang Pho Sothon. Performed on the eve is the chanting of sermons whereby magical power is instilled in Luang Pho votive tablets. A procession of a Luang Pho Sothon reproduction is held both on land and the water. Red Cross Festival is held at the same time at Somdet Phra Srinagarindra Park.
3. Around February (Chinese New Year Festival). This lasts 5 days 5 nights. A large crowd of people from every direction come to the temple to pay respect to Luang Pho.

Mango Day Festival

Mango Day Festival is held around March April every year. This duration is the best crop of mango.

Interesting Products

Agricultural Products

Agricultural Products such as mango, coconut, jasmine rice, shrimp and chicken eggs.

Brass-thread handicrafts

Brass-thread handicrafts in forms of dish, tray, vase, basket, and other souvenirs can be purchase at Ban Khlong Khut Mai.

Thai Desserts and preserved fruits

Thai Desserts and preserved fruits are available in town and near Wat Sothon.