Uthai Thani is a province abundant in natural resources, such
as forests and wildlife. “Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Reserve”
here was proclaimed a Nautral World Heritage Site on 13 December
1991. The reserve has jungles, forests, plains, many streams,
and most importantly, a number of rare and endangered animals.
Due to the verdant nature of the area, Uthai Thani is a province
with unspoiled natural tourist destinations that are of interest
to tourist everywhere.
Furthermore, visitors can see the different
lifestyles of locals, such as the life of raft residents on
Sakae Krang River, a waterway that aided the birth of the
province and which has been a lifeline for its people since
ancient times. It is also where provincial trading has flourished.
Life revolving around the river eventually grew from a community
into the major province that it is today.
The most striking indication
of the bond between the people and the river since the old
days is that in 1906, when King Rama V visited northern provinces
and stayed in Sakae Krang village, the monk Phra Khru Uthai
Tham Nithet (Chan) built 2 twin rafts to receive the king.
This clearly showed the importance of the river and the lifestyle
of the people living off it in that period.
In addition, at the end of the Buddhist Lent, Buddhists from
all directions congregate in the province for a major merit-making
tradition called Tak Bat Thewo at the foot of Khao Sakae Krang
at Wat Sangkat Rattana Khiri. This festival has been held
in Uthai Thani since ancient times.
Uthai Thani is located in the
lower part of northern Thailand. Most of the province consists
of forests and high mountains. It has a total area of 6,730
square kilometres. It is divided in to 8 Amphoe (districts),
as follows:
Amphoe Muang Uthai Thani
Amphoe Lan Sak 58 kms. from the city
Amphoe Nong Kha Yang 11 kms. from the city
Amphoe Nong Chang 21 kms. from the city
Amphoe Thap Than 16 kms. from the city
Amphoe Ban Rai 79 kms. from the city
Amphoe Sawang Arom 30 kms. from the city
Amphoe Huai Khot 51 kms. from the city
Boundary
North borders Amphoe Phayuha Khiri, Amphoe
Krok Phra and Amphoe Lat Yao of Nakhon Sawan.
South borders Amphoe Wat Sing and Amphoe
Han Kha of Chai Nat and Amphoe Doem Bang Nang Buat of Suphan
Buri.
East borders Amphoe Phayuha Khiri of Nakhon
Sawan and Amphoe Manorom of Chai Nat. The Chao Phraya River
divides the provinces.
West borders Amphoe Um Phang of Tak and Amphoe
Sangkhla Buri and Amphoe Si Sawat of Kanchanaburi.
1. From Bangkok, take Highway No. 32, passing Phra Nakhon
Si Ayutthaya, ang Thong, Sing Buri, and Chai Nat, then turn
left at Tha Nam Oi at Km.206. From there, cross the bridge
spanning the Chao Phraya River and turn left onto Road No.
333 for 16 km. The total distance is around 222 kilometres.
2. From Bangkok, take Highway No. 32 pass Phra Nakhon Si
Ayutthaya, then turn left across the bridge to Ang Thong.
Go through Sing Buri, Amphoe Sapphraya, Chao Phraya Dam, Amphoe
Wat Sing, Wat Tha Sung, and into Uthai Thani Market. The total
distance is about 283 kilometres.
3. From Bangkok, take Road No. 340 past Suphan Buri, turn
left onto Road No. 357, then right onto No. 322 past Amphoe
Don Chedi. From there, turn right onto Road No. 3264 to Ban
Sa Krachom. Then turn right onto Road No. 333 to Ban Rai intersection
and another right to Amphoe Mueang. The total distance is
about 302 kilometres.
By Bus
There are daily regular and air-conditioned Bangkok
– Uthai Thani buses during 05.00-16.00 hrs. For more
information, please contact the Northern Bus Terminal (Mo
Chit), Tel: 0 2936 2852-66, and Uthai Thani Bus Terminal,
tel 0 5651 1914 or visit www.transport.co.th
