Saraburi
Natural caves and famous Buddhist temples
Saraburi is a province in Central Thailand, a little over 100 kilometers from Bangkok. Part of the province is flat land, while another part is mountainous with several National Parks with dense forests, mountain streams and waterfalls. Saraburi’s provincial seal shows the Wat Phra Phutthabat, the province’s most highly revered temple. The provincial capital Saraburi town was founded halfway the 16th century during the Ayutthaya era.
To do & see in Saraburi
Saraburi province houses a number of natural, cultural and historical attractions.
Wat Phra Phutthabat
The Wat Phra Phutthabat or “Buddha footprint temple” is an important pilgrimage site for Thai Buddhists. In the 17th century King Songtham of Ayutthaya build the temple at the spot where a villager discovered a Buddha footprint. A Naga stairway leads to the mondop on top of the hill, a very elegant structure with its seven tiered roof laid with ceramic tiles, the doors inlaid with intricate mother of pearl artwork. The Buddha footprint is housed in a richly decorated golden case inside the mondop.
Buddha footprint temple
Caves
Saraburi province houses a number of natural caves filled with stalactites and stalagmites. Tham Phra That Charoen Tham, locally known as Tham Bo Pla is a cave in the base of a mountain consisting of three rooms. One room houses a seated Buddha image in the subduing Mara pose, as well as beautiful stalagmites and stalactites. Natural skylights illuminate the place. Another room houses a pond named Bo Pla filled with fish. Tham Phra That Charoen Tham cave is found in Song Khon, Kaeng Khoi district nearly 25 kilometers from Saraburi town.
Other caves in Saraburi include Tham Lumphini Suan Hin, a very large cave in Kaeng Khoi district and Tham Si Wilai in Na Phra Lan district, which houses an ancient Buddha image, as well as many stalagmites and stalactites.
Wat Phra Phutthachai
Wat Phra Phutthachai is located on the side of a hill at the base of Pathawi mountain. The temple was constructed after a silhouette of the Buddha was discovered on the rock. On the grounds are several temple buildings, a very large golden reclining Buddha image and a hermit cave. Lots of monkeys hang around waiting to be fed. It is a long and sometimes steep climb to the top. Once arrived, visitors will be able to enjoy scenic views of the surrounding mountainous area. The temple grounds open daily from 8 am until 5 pm.
Getting to Saraburi
Saraburi is located 115 kilometers Northeast of Bangkok and can be reached by train, bus or private taxi.
Air
There is no airport in Saraburi.
Train
Saraburi is very well connected to Bangkok by train. Many trains daily depart from Hua Lamphong station in Bangkok. The 113 kilometer trip takes from just under 2 hours to 2½ hours. Fares are 24, 55 and 106 Baht for third, second and first class.
Check details and how to get tickets at Travel Thailand by train.
Bus
Air conditioned and ordinary buses to Saraburi depart from Bangkok Northern bus terminal Mo Chit II on Kamphaeng Phet 2 road. The trip takes about 2 hours. Fares vary between 40 and 80 Thai Baht depending on the type of service.
Buy tickets online
Tickets for bus, train or taxi from Bangkok or another city can be bought online at the 12Go website.