Suphanburi Attractions
Suphanburi
Surrounded by rice and sugar cane plantations, the modern commercial town of Suphanburi is situated about 90 km (56 mi.) north-west of Bangkok in the central plain on the left bank of the Menam Tha Chin. Some ruins of the old town on the right bank, which was important during the Ayutthaya period, still remain.
By car: from Bangkok first head west on national Highway 4 or 338, then Highway 340 (98 km (61 mi.)). From Ayutthaya Highway 3263 westwards (55 km (34 mi.)).
By bus: from Bangkok Northern Bus Terminal.
Surrounded by rice and sugar cane plantations, the modern commercial town of Suphanburi is situated about 90 km (56 mi.) north-west of Bangkok in the central plain on the left bank of the Menam Tha Chin. Some ruins of the old town on the right bank, which was important during the Ayutthaya period, still remain.
By car: from Bangkok first head west on national Highway 4 or 338, then Highway 340 (98 km (61 mi.)). From Ayutthaya Highway 3263 westwards (55 km (34 mi.)).
By bus: from Bangkok Northern Bus Terminal.
Wat Palilei
The Wat Palilei on the bank of the Menam Tha Chin in old Suphanburi is from the U-Thong period, but underwent extensive alteration during the Ayutthaya period. It houses the colossal statue of a Buddha in Ayutthaya style. To the right and left of the road are fragments of some chedis, some of which are in an advanced state of decay.
Don Chedi
24 km (15 mi.) north-west of Suphanburi is Don Chedi (Highway 322 to U Ya, then right); a bronze monument has been erected to commemorate a decisive battle of King Naresuan against the Burmese (1592). Seated on an elephant Naresuan killed the Burmese crown prince Min Chit Swa. The monument was designed by Prof. Silpa Bhirasi and cast in 1959 at the Silpakorn School of Art in Bangkok. The chedi, which was built by King Naresuan, has collapsed and been replaced by a modern monument.
Wat Phra Rup
Shortly after the bridge over the Tha Chin the Wat Phra Rup is on the left where a footprint carved in wood, said to have been washed ashore by the river, is highly revered.
Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat
The soaring prang of the Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat in the town center is made of brick and decorated with stucco ornaments and in good repair. It is surrounded by ruins of prangs and chedis and fragments of Buddha statues.
