Unseen Thailand – Saraburi Province
Saraburi doesn’t make the cut of most travel guides, where it does the description is incredibly brief. Yet it has a lot going for it.
It is a province filled with excitement and adventure. A visit to the Saraburi province is an ideal trip for anyone with an interest in nature or a desire to escape Bangkok and explore the authentic Thailand.
Saraburi city and its province were important towns in the past so the region is rich with historical architecture and Buddhist temples. The most notable temple is Wat Phra Phuttha Bat which houses one of Thailand’s most notable Buddha footprints. The temple is a recommended visit as it is rarely overrun by tourists, instead maintaining its authenticity and a fascinating and calm insight into everyday Buddhism and a typical Thai temple.
The province is best known for its glorious sunflower fields (when in season, from November to February) and it’s for this reason that the sunflower is the province’s symbol.
The province is also famous for its marble and stone quarries, products are supposedly available at the lowest rates in all of Thailand. Though how you get a slab of marble back through customs without exceeding the baggage limit, I’m not entirely sure 😉
In the northern parts of the province the venturing traveller will find the quintessential Thailand, and with it vineries, highlands, national parks, waterfalls and farmlands.
Saraburi City
Saraburi is roughly 106 km north of Bangkok and was built in the 16th century, growing from a main road used by the Khmer for transporting goods and produce. The modern city’s importance is still linked to transportation between Bangkok and the north and north-east.
The town offers an urban lifestyle without the constant hustle and bustle of a big city. Saraburi has ample shopping malls, sports centres, superstores alongside more traditional Thai authenticities such as markets and temples. It also has a fantastic local cuisine.
Curry puffs were born in Saraburi. The delicacy, which looks like a small Cornish pasty, is available across Thailand and is usually filled with taro, chicken or pineapple.
The puffs come highly recommended and definitely are worth a try although, like much of the culinary temptation in Thailand, excessive consumption will affect the waistline.
Saraburi does have a bar street and a number of nightclubs but it’s unlikely to make anyone in Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai or Phuket move over anytime soon. Half a dozen late night bars and a handful of clubs make up the town’s nightlife area.
One major one benefit (or problem) of a lack of farang is that foreigners stick out easily. Expect to receive plenty of attention from the locals when out partying.
You can usually do a day trip to Saraburi. Let us know if you need a private transportation service. We can arrange it for you.
