Saraburi

Understand

Saraburi has been an important city since ancient times. It is assumed to have been established c.1549 during the reign of King Maha Chakkraphat of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya. It is assumed that the king had ordered the merging of some parts of Lopburi and Nakhon Nayok together to set up Saraburi Province with the aim of being a centre for mobilising citizenry in times of war. Therefore, from the Ayutthaya period, the story of Saraburi has usually related to battles and wars. As for the origin of the word "Saraburi", it is assumed that due to its location near a swamp called "Bueng Nong Ngong", when the town was established a combination of "sa" (a swamp) and "buri" (a town), it was suggested and the town was named "Saraburi".

Getting there

By car From Bangkok, take Hwy 1 or Phahonyothin Rd, past Wang Noi District, Nong Khae District, Hin Kong Sub-district to the intersection of the elevated bridge of Saraburi. Turn left into Mittraphap Rd or go straight on to the centre of Saraburi.

By bus From Bangkok, there are normal and air conditioned buses of the Transport Co., Ltd. from the Bangkok Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit 2), Kamphaengphet 2 Rd, several times a day. For more information, contact ☏ +66 2 9362852-66.

By minibus From Bangkok's Victory Monument, a minibus going to Saraburi costs 100 baht. It stops at Saraburi's train station.

By train There are daily trains from Bangkok Railway Station (Hualamphong) to Saraburi, several times a day. Trains from Bangkok's main Hualamphong Train Station station take about 2-2½ hours. Some trains stop at Kaeng Khoi Station and Muak Lek Station. For more information, contact the State Railway of Thailand at Tel. 1690, +66 2 2204334, +66 2 2204444 (ticket reservations can be made by telephone 3 days in advance, but not exceeding 60 days).

Getting around

The best way to get around the province is by car. However in Mueng Saraburi, there is a smart bus which goes around for a flat fare of 20 baht that stops at major areas such as Saraburi Hospital, Robinsons' and Saraburi Provincial Court.

See

Nature 1 Phu Khae Botanical Garden (สวนพฤกษศาสตร์ภาคกลาง (พุแค)). Established in 1941 as the first Royal Forest Department Botanical Garden, it sprawls over an area of 300 ha of which 100 ha is natural vegetation and forest. It also features a literary garden, which includes 35 species of plants which are mentioned in Thai literature. It also contains a medicinal garden. (updated Jul 2025) 2 Krok E Dok Waterfall (น้ำตกโกรกอีดก)), บ้านบึงไม้ ตำบลชะอม อำเภอแก่งคอย, ☏ +66 65 706 2959. 07:00-17:00 (last entry to the waterfalls at 08:00 for walk ins and 9 AM for pre-registered). One of the most highest waterfalls in Central Thailand and possibly the most famous hike in Saraburi. The waterfall is only open during the rainy season and is almost always fully booked during the weekends and long weekends. Walk-ins are accepted as a first come-first serve basis only for the first 100 people. For booking information and trail status check the Facebook page วิสาหกิจชุมชนท่องเที่ยวเกษตรเชิงอนุรักษ์ชะอม. The hike is 8 km and takes around 5-6 hours to complete. Pre-registered: 300 baht for Thai nationals and 660 baht for foreigners, walk-in: 350 baht for Thai nationals and 750 baht for foreigners. (updated Jul 2025) Sunflowers (ทุ่งทานตะวัน) (Between Lopburi and Saraburi along the Phatthana Nikhom – Wang Muang route). From November to December, the yellow sunflower fields along the road attract many people. (updated Aug 2017) 3 Khao Sam Lan National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติน้ำตกสามหลั่น), 53 Moo 1, Nong Pla Lai Sub-district, Mueang District (4 km beyond Wat Phra Phutthachai), ☏ +66 3 671 3829, [email protected]. The nearest national park to Bangkok. The park offers many small waterfalls, some of which can be reached by short hiking trails. The best time to visit the falls is the late rainy season when water is plentiful. (updated Aug 2017) Tham Si Wilai (ถ้ำศรีวิไล): A cave in which resides the Phra Phutthanaowarat Buddha image from the Chiang Saen period. The cave also feature

Do

Cliff Climbing – Abseiling (ปีนหน้าผา-โรยตัว). At Wat Phra Chai, Mueang District, is a 35-m cliff, appropriate for cliff climbing with a climb of less than 5 metres high without the use of a rope. However, cushions are provided on the ground below and a climbing partner will always take care and block from behind the climber. The spot is on a mountain which is surrounded with cliffs on every side. On the east of Wat Phra Phutthachai lie large round stones alternating with timber forests. On the other route is a climbing location with a rope or Top Rope with a length of 40 metres. Also, this is a sightseeing spot for the plain of the Pa Sak River as well as the scenery of Saraburi. (updated Aug 2017) Tham Lumphini Suan Hin (ถ้ำลุมพินีสวนหิน). A cave in Kaeng Khoi District with a length of 1,800 metres created naturally by underground water. (updated Aug 2017) Rafting along the Pa Sak River (การล่องแม่น้ำป่าสัก): The mountains line up along the rafting route. At some parts stones and cliffs can be seen with strange shapes, similar to animals. The National Dairy Cow Festival (งานโคนมแห่งชาติ) is organized in the Muak Lek District in January every year. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn is the chairperson for the opening ceremony. It is the biggest event in Thailand for professional dairy farmers. The Phra Phutthabat Homage Paying Fair (งานนมัสการรอยพระพุทธบาท) is held twice a year: starting on the first day of the waxing moon and continuing for 15 days until the full moon day in the third lunar month; and from the eighth day of the waxing moon, continuing for eight days until the full moon day in the fourth lunar month. The Kam Fa Festival (ประเพณีกำฟ้า) is held on the second day of the waxing moon in the third lunar month. The eve of the festival features various forms of folk entertainment and activities including cockfighting and toasting sticky rice in bamboo. The Kam Fa Festival occurs on the third day of the waxing moon in the third lunar month. People perform mer

Buy

Products from the Dairy Farming Promotion Organisation of Thailand, Muak Lek Dairy Cooperatives, and private organizations are sold, including sweetened beef, salted beef, curry puffs, vegetables and seasonal fruits like Nong Saeng mangoes, oranges, custard apples, pomegranates, dragon fruit, and grapes. The area is also home to the Caroline cheese factory, one of Thailand's oldest family-owned cheese producers. Other local food products are "herbal Chinese pork sausage with iodine" (kun chiang), "sweet dried pork" (mu sawan), "pounded pork" (mu thup) and "pork stewed in gravy" (mu phalo) and "Krayasat" (cereals and nuts in honey caramel). Local hand-woven fabrics are Tin Chok, silk, and Mudmee textiles of the Thai Yuan people. On Saturdays and Sundays, a trustworthy Thai rice wine called "sato" can be purchased from roadside vendors in Nong Kae. 1 Tontarn Floating Market. Sundays 08:00-16:00. Born from the merger of the villagers in the area ha