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Bang Sai Arts and Crafts Centre
Operating day: Tuesday - Sunday
Operating time: 08.30 - 16.30
Located on the left bank of the Chao Phraya River in Tambon Bueng Yai, Amphoe Bang Sai. Farmers from Ayutthaya as well as from other provinces undergo training in folk arts and crafts here. At this centre, you will have a glimpes of how farmers in the four regions live and work ; how their products of arts and crafts are produced.
The centre is under the Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and Related Techniques (SUPPORT) which was established under Royal Patronage on the 21st July, 1976. Products and activities which can be seen here are Fern Vien Basketry, Weaving Basketry, Artificial Flowers, Hand-Woven Silk and Cotton, Silk Dyeing, Wood Carving, Miniature Hand - Modelled Thai Dolls, Furniture Making, Cloth-Made Products, etc. All the products are sold at the Centre and in every branch of Chitralada Store.
The Centre covers a total area of approximately 1,000 rai and houses several places of interest including:
Sala Phra Ming Khwan is a 4-storey applied Thai building with 4 porches, towering in the heart of the Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Centre.
The first floor houses arts and crafts demonstration and shops displaying as well as selling products from the Centre and other arts and crafts centres throughout the country. The second and third floors exhibit the Centre’s masterpieces of the arts and crafts products, and the fourth floor accommodates meetings and seminars.
Open daily during 9.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. on weekdays and 9.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m. on holidays. Admission is free.
Arts and Crafts Village The establishment of this village was supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in order to showcase different aspects of architecture of the Thai houses in various regions of the country as well as their ways of living and culture. Lifestyle and handicraft demonstrations are provided daily between 8.30 a.m.–5.00 p.m. on weekdays and 9.00 a.m.–7.00 p.m. on weekends. Thai classical dances and folk entertainment of the 4 regions are performed during 4.30–5.30 p.m. on weekends and national holidays.
The village also offers a traditional Thai wedding ceremony of the Central Region which is to include a religious rite, a procession of the groom’s presents for the bride or Khan Mak, a lustral water pouring ceremony, venue decorations, music as well as food and beverage for guests and relatives.
For more details, contact the Arts and Crafts Village at Tel. 0 3536 6666-7, 08 9132 0303 (Khun Atchara).
Arts and Crafts Training Buildings They are situated in the heart of the Centre and comprise various divisions of arts and crafts. The Centre currently provides 29 divisions of arts and crafts training for farmers from all regions of the country to be their supplementary occupations out of the farming season. Visitors can have a look at all stages of the elaborate arts and crafts production.
Open daily between 9.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. during training periods.
One Thousand-armed Kwan Yin Bodhisattva The 6-metre high image of the one thousand-armed Kwan Yin Bodhisattva was carved out of yellow sandalwood and presented to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the auspicious occasion of his 6th cycle birthday anniversary by Mr. Tu Zhia on behalf of the Chinese people. His Majesty had the image enshrined in a temporary shrine at the elephant pavilion – Sala Rong Chang - within the Centre for the public to pay respect daily during 9.00 a.m.–5.00 p.m.
Phra Tamnak is a royal residence for Their Majesties the King and the Queen and their royal children built into a traditional Thai house of Central Thailand with an open basement, using construction materials available locally and surrounded by a beautiful garden and miniature waterfall.
Wang Pla is an aquarium displaying freshwater fish constructed and administered by the Department of Fisheries. The main building contains two large aquariums; one is of a bean shape with a capacity of 1,400 tons, the other of a round shape with a capacity of 600 tons, both accommodating various species of freshwater fish native to Thailand.
Open during 10.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Suan Nok is a bird park operated by the Wildlife Fund Thailand under the Royal Patronage of H.M. the Queen. There are two large aviaries providing nests for more than 30 species of rare birds within natural-like environments including an artificial stream and waterfall as well as forest. There is a suspension bridge for visitors to have a look and take photos of the birds from on top of the aviaries. Other wild animals are also to be seen nearby.
Open daily during 9.00 a.m. – 7.00 p.m. Admission is 20 Baht for adults and 10 Baht for children.
Bang Sai Arts and Crafts Centre is open during 8.30 a.m.–4.30 p.m. on weekdays and 8.30 a.m.–6.00 p.m. on weekends and national holidays. Admission is 100 Baht for adults and 50 Baht for children. Visit the Arts and Crafts Village, “Wang Pla” – Thailand’s largest freshwater fish aquarium, arts and crafts training buildings, “Sala Phra Ming Khwan” – a modern Thai building where the Centre’s products are on sale, pay respect to the one thousand-armed Kwan Yin Bodhisattva at the elephant pavilion and take a mini-train free of charge around the Centre.
For more information, Tel. 0 3536 6252-4, 0 3528 3246-9 or click www.bangsaiarts.com.
How to get there
By Car
1. Route 1 Highway No.9 (Western Ring Road), from Highway No.345 intersection (Amphoe Bang Bua Thong), which is also accessible from Suphan Buri – Taling Chan, or Pathum Thani via Sam Khok elevated intersection – across the Chao Phraya River – turn left at Bo Sa Intersection – straight on to the Centre.
2. Route 2 Highway No.306 (Tiwanon Road) from Pak Kret Intersection – Suan Somdet Intersection – Pak Khlong Rangsit Intersection – Bang Phun Intersection – turn right into Highway No.347 (Pathum Thani – Bang Pahan) at Pathum Thani Technological College Intersection via Chiang Rak Noi Intersection – turn left at Chiang Rak Noi elevated intersection and straight pass Bo Sa Intersection – U turn under the bridge across the Chao Phraya River – turn left at Bo Sa Intersection – straight on to the Centre.
3. Route 3 Pak Kret – Bang Pa-in Expressway – out of the expressway and straight pass Bo Sa Intersection – U turn under the bridge across the Chao Phraya River – turn left at Bo Sa Intersection – straight on to the Centre.
4. Route 4 Highway No.1 (Phahon Yothin Road) from Rangsit, or the North or Northeast – via Bang Pa-in elevated intersection into Highway No.9 (Western Ring Road) – straight pass Chiang Rak Noi elevated intersection – pass Bo Sa Intersection – U turn under the bridge across the Chao Phraya River – turn left at Bo Sa Intersection – straight on to the Centre.
5. Route 5 Asia Highway from Bang Pahan – Ayutthaya along Highway No.347 (Pathum Thani – Bang Pahan) – across the Chao Phraya River – turn right at Chiang Rak Noi elevated intersection–straight pass Bo Sa Intersection – U turn under the bridge across the Chao Phraya River – turn left at Bo Sa Intersection–straight on to the Centre.
6. Route 6 Highway No.3309 (Bang Pa-in–Chiang Rak Noi), from Asia Highway, or Ayutthaya, via Bang Pa-in Paper Manufacture – under the bridge of the Chao Phraya River – turn left at Bang Sai Pier – straight on to the Centre.
By Bus Take a Public Buse no.838 (Rangsit-Bang Sai Arts and Crafts Centre) leaving from Bangkok from the Future Park Rangsit Bus Stop on Phahonyothin Road to Bang Sai starting 06.00-21.00 hrs. or take a bus from the Northern Bus Terminal on Kamphaeng Phet Road to Bang Pa-in. Then, connect a Song Thaeo or mini-bus to Bang Sai Arts and Crafts Centre. For more details, please call Tel. 0 2936 2852-66 or click www.transport.co.th and Ayutthaya Bus Terminal, Tel. 0 3533 5304
By Train Take a train running from Hua Lamphong (Bangkok Railway Station) to Bang Pa-in Railway Station daily every hour starting from 06.40-22.00 hrs. Then, connect a Song Thaeo or mini-bus to Bang Sai Arts and Crafts Centre. Bangkok Railway Station , Tel. 1690, 0 2220 4334 or click www.railway.co.th.
By Boat Cruise to Ayutthaya. The luxurious cruise from Bangkok to the former capital of Ayutthaya is operated by Chao Phraya Princess Cruise Tel: 0 2860 3700, Horizon Cruise Tel: 0 2236 7777, River Sun Cruise Tel: 0 2266 9316, 266 9125-6, Manohra Tel: 0 2476 0021-2, and Grand Pearl Tel: 0 2861 0255-60.
Tel : 035366252-4, 035283246-9
Category: Research and Development
Group: Royal Project
Last Update : 3 MonthAgo