The Province of Saraburi [สระบุรี]

Map of Saraburi province

Saraburi province is northeast of Bangkok. It is one of the central provinces of Thailand. This is where the former capital of Ayutthaya is. But this time, I went there with a group of friends to explore the area south of Lopburi. 

Many places in this part of the country end with the word buri. In modern Thai language it means 'town' instead of city [muang]. It derives from the Sanskrit word Puri which means a 'fortified place'. This is why there is Saraburi [สระบุรี] or Lopburi [ลพบุรี]; there exists many other places ending with the word buri.

The area is known for its past and has many temples. But there are two less-known particularities. This is one of the few places in Thailand, where there are cows and green pastures. This is why there are a few dairy-farms. Here, they also grow sunflowers that are in full bloom in December.

Sunflower field

At a sunflower farm

Local sculpture

Pasak Dam

The river below the dam

Lakeview

Thai deity in the lake park