Simple, Self-sufficent and Beautiful

The Charm of Serenity

The Sakae Krang River has been the lifeblood for the people of Uthai Thani for a long time. Its source is located at the Mo Ko JU peak in the south of the Thanonthongchai mountain range, within the boundaries of Kampaeng Petch Province. the river passes through Nakorn Sawan into Uthai Thani with an overall length of 180 kms. Each part of the river is named differently, according to the areas ti passes. Some call it " Klong Mae Lay-Mae Wong," " Mae Nam Wang Ma" or " Mae Nam Kway Tak-Daed." The part that runs through Uthai thani and joins the Chao Phraya river is 24 km. long and is known as " Mae Nam Sakae Krang." Some locals call it. "Two-colored River" because of its physical appearance.


stories were told by the elders to the younger generation that once the area was abundant with sake tree (combretum quadrangulare). When merchant's boats came upon the sake trees, the merchants would know that they had arrived at Ban Sakea Krang. It was an especially clear climate during January and February when the tiny blossoms hung down form stems all along the riverbanks some say thre was once a large sakae tree in the middle of the village, giving origin to the name " Ban Sakae Klang"

The village name was later changed to Sakae Krang. pronounced according to Chinese merchant's accents. It is said that there used to be many elephants in the areas. When the elephant s came back from drinking water in the river, they would have had sakae plants encrusted on their bodies, another possible origin form the name " Sakae Krang."

in the old days the river was used as a transportation route, connecting people from many regions in an exciting of food , products and culture at the port of Ban Sake Krang. The local community was becoming a melting pot of diverse cultures, sharing the beautiful nature of the area and colorful stories recounting the passage of time.

Today, Uthai thani still reflects all the happiness and and the diverse lifestyles of the Chinese, the thai and Laotains as well as smaller ethnic groups like the Lao-Krang and Po-karen. The houseboat owners and the Chinese community lived along side the gruit growers on Thepo Island and the local farmers, enjoying a vibrant morning market. One saying succinctly reflects the harmonious living: " Coming to Uthai, there's no need to panic: Rest here when the sun has gone, though one could go on, they'll never passed from Uthai Thani."

This poem suggests that whoever visits Uthai Thani will fall in love with the charming city and will never want to leave. All the happiness comes from the simple, self-sufficient and beautiful lifestyles of the local people.

Life on the Rafts

The scenes of tiny houseboats on rafts tried together along the banks of Sakae Krang River complements the people that make their livings from the river. The "raft houses " are small cottages built on bamboo rafts. Each one has a house number (as an address) and a house hold registration number, so the owners have the same rights as those who live on land.

the rafters have lived on the raft houses for many generations. Nowadays, with roads playing a greater role in society, there are fewer rafters left on the river, but you can still find them, mostly living around the area of the Municipal Market.

Most rafters work in the fisheries industry, depending on the richness of the waters. Some go out fishing: some stay in The port to prepare and collect string sand hooks which they will set in the water.

The river is more than just a home-It is away of life In the river, the raters grow pandans and raise fish such as plasuay (catfish), Thepo (black-eared catfish), thapthim (pink ruby fish), and especially giant gourami (Rhino fish, a perch), the best-known fish in Uthai Thani. Fish are smoked according to the traditional method-by cutting the fish up, cleaning it, drying it on a strck lkie a barbeque skewer,m before smoking it until completely dry.

some rafters sell goods from their fats asif there were floating supermarkets; others offer tourist a guided trip along the river. The lives of these people begin and end with the river. Though the Sake Krang River is no longer a main transport route, it has always been and will always be the lifeline gi the rafter and many other people in Uthai Thani.



citrons and Giant gourami in Uthai Tahni

Citrons are a tangy sweet and sour citrus fruit. Their shape is bumpy like a lemon, but larger. they are eaten as a fruit and used in herbal treatment Citrons are quite hared to find elsewhere, but are widely grown in Uthai thaini

gian gourami (sometimes called Rhino fish) are raised in keepnets in the river. Normally fish raised in nets would not have sucha fishy smell as fish raised in ponds ad they would have a lover quality of meat. the giant gouramin in Uthai Thani don't have a fshy smell but they are ver high quality and taste better than those form other parts of the country.. This could be due to the good water circulation and the mineral-rich river tha heop the gourami ramin tender and maintain a good taste

the net-raised fish ahve to ve carefully nurtured for 1.402 years before they can be caught )a weight of 7 to 8000 grams), whereas other species of fish, such as thapthim take just four moths.

The life along the Sakae Krang River is vest viewed by ferry tour down to Manorom in Chai Nat Province. Another good route is a boat trip around Thepo Island. The tours are available all-year-long.

Strolling Through the Streets of Uthai Thani City

" When in Uthai, there's no need to hurry". Anyone who has visited this little town will know how charming the people and the city are. This " not-too-big" city has something surprising hidden in every nook and cranny, making each walk around the city and exciting experience for visitors. And in case you feel tired from walking, What have bicycles and motorbikes for rent Uthai too.

Simply drift along the River to Experience - The Life of the Sake Krang

Once you have come to Uthai Thani you shouldn't miss a boat tour along the river to see the natural wildlife and greenery along the banks There are 40-seat ferries docked at " Wat Than Sung Fush Raft" if you are interested.


For something even more exotic, try an old-fashioned barge or a kayak. you can rent them at eh City Hall pier.


The city has its own unique character. You will first see it in the architecture-the homes, the shops and the marketplaces. Uthai buildings are often built as one aor tw0-story edifices with sliding doors and small sign above doors advertising the shops'names. Some signs are not only attractive, but might just draw you in to sample the food for yourself whdy Uthai Thaini is so famous for its delicious foods, heralded by many international food critics with "thumps up"


The Morning Market along the Banks of the Sakae Krang River

Before the first light of day, those people whose livelihoods rely on the Sake Krang River are awake and active.
The merchants prepare their goods and then take them to the Municipal market on the bank opposite Wat Bost tempe. Women scurry around buying provisions for the day.

This market ahs a history of over 1000 years, serving the local peole like a trusted friend every morning . the fruit and vegetables directly from the fields and treetops to the market where you can smell the morning freshness.
Fishermen and women offer shrimps, freshwater shellfish. fish and crabs, freshly drawn from theri nets. And you are sure to find the prices fairly cheap.

Later in the morning when the sun is at full strength, the morning market sloly closes, but re-opens and bursts into life again each evening.

Charming Traffic Circles

Another interesting land mark in Uthai thani is the simple traffic circel.

This litttle town has as many as five tracic circles. all within a stone's throw of each other.

The giant Gourami fish Circle is next to the Elephant Circle on Sri Uthaini Road leadin to the Municipal Market on the west bank of the river. Looking across the river, you can see WAt bost, the temple's religious architecture providing a spectacular background for this captivation scene.

The lively morning market has stalls set up before dawn. An array of products is available, ranging from fresh smoked fish, and all kinds of fresh foods and desserts cooked and prepared by local people each day. They are delicious and chep , but often sell out by eight O'clock.

Ater a good walk-shoping and tasting the different food-it's a good idea to rest your feet awhile at a local cofffed stall and expericnce the atmosphere of a true Thai cooffe corner. Here you can share news and find out what things are going on in town,perhaps even listen to some old locals tellign a few tales of the legends and anecdotes related to Uthai Thani.


You might notice that most of the merchants at the market are chinese Thais. Their ancestors moved here in the eraly Rattanakosin period (late 18th century) when the village of Sakae Lkang-or "si-kia-kang" as it was called in the Chinese dialect-was commercially prosperous. The early Chinese were conspicuous by their long, braided hair. Their descendants have gradually played a greater role in the economy and have becaome prominet millionaries and tax collectors in Nakorn Sawan, Uthai Thani and Chainat.


The Chinese-Thai community has beena an imprtant part of the town. In the past, a center for overseas chinese immigrants was established and was known as " hok sae tueng," serving as an information center for births, deaths, illnesses an ohter activities, as well as being a charity house distriubintg food to The poor, as well as a drugstore and clinic. The hok sae tueng closed many decades ago, but the building is till well presereved.

Significant Chinese shrines in Uthai Thani are: Lak Mueang Shrine, Kuan-U Shrine, Chao Mae Thap thim Shrine and Chao Mae La-ong Samli Shrine. Several improtant festivals in the town are organized around these shrines.

Hok Sae Tueng


This is a half-taeak, half-brick house bulit in taditonal Thai "Pan-ya: stayle. It is located on Sri Uthai Road and has been used as charity house provinding food for The poor and needy since World War II

It was frist named " Hok Han Tua," later chainging to a chines drugstore with the present name " Hok Sae Tueng:. the medicines manufactrued and sold there were mainly chinese folk and herbal remdies. The bulidingd was also used as a training center for young Chinese doctor apprentices. you'll seee on display some chinese medicine cabinets and old equipment used in preparing the medicine.
The upper floor is a large hall iwth takwood wall panelling, decorated with carved chines designs, In the middle of the room is a Chinese shrine. All of the traditional equipment and ornaments are well-presearved and some are quite priceless.

At present the house is only opened to the public during the Chinese vegetarian festival. Special vistis can be arranged in advance by contracting Khun Sangiam Paplawatwichai at The Wattanaphaisan Shop, Tel-056-511078



Further down the street from Hok Sae Tueng are several hardware stores selling farming tools such as knives, sickles, hoes, forks and axes, mad by the traditional method of forging-firinng iron and beating it with a hamer to form the desired shape, before sharpening and shaping it. Tourists are welcome to come by to watch the blackmith at work and buy some of the products at Song Charoen Blacksmith Shop.


Local wisdom on Koh Thepo (Island)

On the opposite side of the city, east of the Sakae Krang River, there is an area oof land known as Koh Thepo, which is flanked by the Cao Phraya and the Sakae krang rivers.


Koh Thepo can be reached by crossing a small bridge on foot or by bike from the Municipal Market. The crowded shops gradually give way as you walk toward Uposathram Teple to more and more paddy fields, vegetable gardens and orchards. You will come upon a shady bamboo forest and a large natural pond. This is Koh Thepo. The area is being developed into and exercise park and a new recreational center named " Suan Nam Chloem Phrakiat."

The island is famous for its fine pomels known as Ban Namtok pomelos, one of the top qualtity products of Uthai thaini, In fact, a number of delicious fruits grow here- guavas, mangoes, limes and baccaurea.

A bike trail, 33 km long, has been designed to promote eco-tourism around the island, which will enable tourists to closely experience the peaceful, beautiful way of life of the indigenous people while observing the local wisdom: fish farming in floating baskets with traditional fish drying and smoking; bamboo mat weaving; perfume and fragrant powder-making at Thong Ta Now Shop; ancient boat construction at Ban Chang Lod; and a chance to view the gardeners lifestyles in the area too.

It is a worthwhile trip if only to relax among the peaceful surroundings of nature and the simple living of the local people. But you can also taste all kinds of fruit and buy some of the best products and souvenirs in Uthai Thani Province.


Besides pomelos, the organically grown mangoes at Lan Sak are another famous product of Uthai Thani, An annual mango festival is held here. There are also fun activities available for tourists to enjoy, such as racing tractors, hill-walking, a fishing contest, and off-road rally and , of course, eating delicious local grilled fish.