Among the many famous travel destinations in Thailand, Nonthaburi, Thailand’s second largest city, seems not to be on the list. For hundreds of years, Nonthaburi has been quietly writing its own story by the Chao Phraya River, nurturing the rhythm of life and history and culture that belong here.

Nonthaburi is located on the Chao Phraya River, the largest river in Thailand, only about 20 kilometers away from Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. Nonthaburi has a history of more than 400 years of population settlement, dating back to the Ayutthaya Kingdom period. It was also formerly known as "Mandalakun Village". It was upgraded and renamed "Buri City" during the Ayutthaya era in 1549. Later, it was once famous for its beautiful scenery and many magnificent ancient temples.

Take a ferry from Bangkok in the early morning and it only takes about half an hour to reach Nonthaburi Pier. The Nonthaburi Provincial Museum is located next to the pier. This century-old European-style building faces the Chao Phraya River and was opened in 1911. Before 2009, it was used as a school, a city hall, and a training center for Thai government administrators. Until 2009, a small part of the building became the current two-story museum.

The building was built during the reign of King Rama VI and is an early example of Rattanakosin's art. Made of golden teak wood, decorated with European art, fused with Thai art, and has exquisite wood grain patterns. In 1984, the Ministry of Art of Thailand registered this place as a national historical and civilized site.

When walking on the stairs and corridors in the museum, you can see that the paint on the surface is somewhat mottled, revealing some traces of time, but it also adds a sense of the times to the building, giving people a sense of time travel. Feel the sense of history in time and space. The shutters, eaves brackets, railings and other details on the outside of the building all reveal the design features of European architecture. No matter which angle you look at it, it is a picture of great symmetry and beauty.

Entering the exhibition hall, you will see exquisite exhibits one after another, and interesting historical stories seem to emerge along with these objects. The exhibits showcase the important figures and history of Nonthaburi, as well as the local lifestyle and folk wisdom from the past to the present. It also includes some representative art works, such as clay sculptures, allowing people to experience local life and culture immersively.

Although Phetchaburi has a lot of delicious food, it is not noisy at all. It is as quiet and leisurely as the back garden of Thailand. When people stroll through this city, they will feel the quiet and leisurely atmosphere. On the streets, you can encounter the glorious history of Phetchaburi Province.

It is said that the Chao Phraya River made a big turn before entering Bangkok. At that time, the king of Ayutthaya cut off the meandering flow of the Chao Phraya River and built a canal to make it easier for ships to reach his capital. The intercepted passages created an island on the river - Koh Kret.

Koh Leh is a small island located on a tributary of the Chao Phraya River in Nonthaburi Province. The most charming feature of this small island is tranquility amidst the bustle. This is not only a bustling small market, it is also a peaceful and peaceful home, where the residents live a slow, peaceful and pastoral life.

The island was formed in 1722. Kret Island has a fragmentary and fragmentary meaning in Thai, and can also be used to describe the narrow waterway connecting two major bodies of water.

Most of the people living here are descendants of the Mon ethnic group. Before the Siamese people settled together, the Mon people ruled the Chao Phraya River Basin and were one of the builders of early Thai civilization. However, they gradually declined due to years of war.

During the turbulent period of the 19th century, the Siamese accepted the Mon people living here, and the Mon people began to settle here. And while integrating into the Siamese social environment, it gradually formed its own unique culture.

Walking into Kre Island is not so much an island inhabited by the Mon people as it is walking into a pottery art exchange village. Vendors selling exquisite pottery can be found everywhere on the island.

The soil in the Chao Phraya River area is soft and very easy to knead pottery. The descendants of the Mon ethnic group on the island have also inherited the Mon ethnic group's specialty in making ceramic handicrafts, and have completely passed down the most distinctive ceramic craftsmanship.

The characteristic of Klei Island pottery is that it is unglazed. The patterns on the pottery are drawn using open-hole carving, stamping and scribing techniques. After firing, the pottery will appear light orange and red. It has a unique shape and is durable. Durable features. The island is well known for its traditional pottery, so it is also known as the "Ceramic Island".

As soon as the boat docks, you can feel the excitement of the weekend market on the island. Entering the market through the narrow path, you can see Doraemon, Ultraman, Hello Kitty and other modern cartoon characters. The products are particularly eye-catching among the traditional Thai pottery products, making people unable to move their legs in front of the stall for a long time. When I asked about it, I found out that these cute ceramic products were containers for Thai milk tea sold by the merchant. After drinking milk tea, you can also get a cute cup as a souvenir.

Traditional ceramic products are cleverly integrated with daily products such as food and accessories by vendors. While people are impressed by the exquisiteness of the ceramic products, they also feel the inseparable relationship between the ceramic products and the lives of local people. . This is a cultural inheritance, and it also reveals the Mon people’s persistence in pottery making techniques and the national pride that pottery brings to the island.

It is this persistence in traditional craftsmanship and the compatibility with new era culture that creates the most charming appeal of Ceramic Island and adds a unique artistic atmosphere to the island.

There are also many pottery factories scattered on the island. In the factory, you can watch the pottery craftsmanship of the masters. Watch a pool of clay gradually take shape in the hands of the craftsmen, and then use bamboo or carving knives to carve the body. . In each painting, unique patterns are carved on the exquisite pottery, and each work made by the craftsmen shows a unique style.

The skillful techniques of the masters make people eager to try it. They also want to roll up their sleeves and experience the process of drawing ceramic products by themselves, and enjoy the fun of making their own ceramic products. The island's pottery factories provided such an opportunity. While trying to make pottery yourself, you can also consult with local masters and learn some experience. Only this kind of travel experience will be unique enough, and only this kind of travel souvenirs will be unique enough.

Thailand is a famous Buddhist country, and its religious culture is also reflected in the numerous temples. There are several temples scattered even on small islands like Koh Koh, and the Royal Buddhist Temple Wat Poramaiyikawas, located on the Chao Phraya River, is the most representative and local characteristic.

The temple was built in 1774 and has been a spiritual symbol of the Mon people since the Ayutthaya Dynasty.

This temple is the only royal temple on the island, and it is also the only temple that still retains the Tripitaka in the Mon language. The overall temple also presents the Mon architectural style, with daily chanting and prayers They also all use the Mon language.

Walking into the central Buddhist hall, a large meditating Buddha enshrined inside is very beautiful. The superb casting craftsmanship makes the Buddha look as vivid as a real person.

Before arriving at the island by boat, you can also see a white pagoda nearly 10 meters and slightly tilted. From a distance, this pagoda seems to be gently "nodding", as if it is To welcome people who are about to arrive on the island, it is the most famous landmark building of Koh Lhe - Chedi Mu Dao.

This pagoda is made of clay. The shape of the pagoda is somewhat in the style of Burmese pagodas. Because the pagoda is located near a river and its banks are often flooded, this slightly tilted "welcoming" image was formed over time with geological changes.

This temple is considered to be an extraordinary temple of the Cretans. It is said that there is a tradition in Nonthaburi Province that the new governor of Nonthaburi Province who is officially appointed must go to this temple to worship the Buddha statue and accept related ceremonies. Koh Kret is also known as Bangkok’s back garden.

In the fresh and natural air, strolling on the only trail on the island, the leisurely pace of life makes people's mood slow down unconsciously in an instant.

Feel the history at the Nonthaburi Museum, enjoy a cup of Thai iced milk tea served in traditional pottery by the river in Koh Leh, feel the local religious and cultural inheritance in the temple, and experience the most authentic flavor Original Thai local style.

The most commonly spoken word in Thai is "zhaiyanyan", which roughly means "take your time, don't rush". When I came to Nonthaburi, I felt like I experienced the Thai people’s definition of slowness – slow but exquisite and energetic.