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The Rose Garden, now known as the Sampran Riverside in February 2010, Pet Kasem road, Sampran, Nakhon Pathom Province, Thailand.

Nakhon Pathom is a small province located just 56 Km's. from Bangkok. The province features an ancient religious structure called Phra Pathom Chedi, the first religious landmark that signified the influx of Buddhism into Thailand. Nakhon Pathom is also renowned for its abundant fruits varieties and famous dishes. Phra Pathommachedi or Phra Pathom Chedi is a Stupa in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand. At 120.5 metres ( 395 ft ) it is the second tallest stupa in the world after Jetavanaramaya in Sri Lanka. The Stupa is located in the Wat Phra Pathommachedi Ratcha Wora Maha Wihan a temple in the town centre of Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.

The name Phra Pathommachedi means the first holy stupa, given by king Mongkut. Originally the Stupa named Phra Thom Chedi means the big stupa in ancient Khmer language or the royal stupa in Northern Thai language. One of the common misunderstandings about this stupa is that Phra Pathommachedi is the oldest and the first stupa in Suvarnabhumi, an ancient name of Southeast Asia. Modern Historians believe that the stupa was one of the principal stupas of ancient Nakhon Pathom, the largest settlement of Dvaravati culture in Nakhon Pathom area together with the nearby Phra Prathon Chedi during the 6th to the 8th centuries.

Nakhon Pathom was situated by the sea, the city prospered during the Dvaravati civilisation. According to archaeological findings, Nakhon Pathom was the first city to possess influences of Buddhism and Indian civilisations. From the Phra Pathom Chedi and other remains discovered in the city area, it is believed that the city was a centre of civilisation in that era. People of different races settled in Nakhon Pathom. However, a change in the course of the river caused a draught that forced the people to migrate and settle on the banks of river, and these communities developed into towns. The new town was called Nakhon Chaisi or Sirichai, leaving Nakhon Pathom deserted for hundreds of years until the reign of King Rama IV. While His Majesty was in monk hood, he travelled to Nakhon Pathom and found the Phra Pathom Chedi that he regarded as the largest pagoda of all.

When King Rama IV ascended to the throne, he commanded that a bell shaped Chedi be built to cover the former Chedi. The surrounding area was also renovated and improved. He also commanded that a water canal be dug to ease commuting, which was called Chedi Bucha canal. During the reign of King Rama V, the construction of railways to the south began, at that time Nakhon Pathom was still a heavily forested area. King Rama V also commanded that the town be relocated from Tambon Thana, Amphoe Nakhon Chaisi, to the Phra Pathom Chedi area as it used to be. Nakhon Pathom has been there ever since. During the reign of King Rama VI, a palace was built at Tambon Sanam Chan as a temporary residence on his travels and many roads were constructed. A large bridge was also built over the Chedi Bucha canal, which His Majesty named “Saphan Charoensattha”. Later, he commanded that the name of Nakhon Chaisi be changed to Nakhon Pathom, but the name of the prefecture was still called “Nakhon Chaisi” until the reign of King Rama VII when the calling of the prefecture was ended. Nakhon Chaisi is now one of the districts in Nakhon Pathom.

Nakhon Pathom covers an area of 2,168 square kilometres or 542,081.6 acres. It is divided into seven administrative districts or Amphoe, they are: Amphoe Muang Nakhon Pathom, Amphoe Buddhamonthon, Amphoe Sam Phran, Amphoe Nakhon Chaisi, Amphoe Bang Len, Amphoe Kamphaeng Saen, and Amphoe Don Toom. Most of the areas are plains with no mountainous land, plateau are found in the west east of Amphoe Muang and Amphoe Kamphaeng Saen. The plains along the Tha Cheen River (Nakhon Chaisi River) are the location of Amphoe Nakhon Chaisi, Amphoe Sam Phran, and Amphoe Bang Len. These fertile lands provide agricultural area for people, thus most of the residents earn their living from agriculture; plantations, farming, growing food crops, and fruit orchards. Moreover, Nakhon Pathom is well known for pomelo, some call the Nakhon Pathom the sweet pomelo town.

Sampran Riverside, Km. 32 Pet Kasem Highway, Sampran, Nakhon Pathom 73110, Thailand

About one hour drive from Bangkok is the Rose Garden and Cultural Centre. It is situated at Sampran in the Province of Nakhon Pathum. It is a 70 acre site designed to give you a full day out. There is so much to do here. The Restaurant sits on the lake and the food served here is first class you can eat what you like - until you are full, very good value if you are a big eater.The Rose Garden and restaurant were started over 40 years ago and has now included the Cultural Centre and show, a hotel and other restaurants and a spa. Tourist buses usually arrive around 2.0 pm in time for the Thai Cultural Village show at 2.45 pm.

This attraction is usually taken in along with the Damnoen Saduak Floating market trip which is around 1800 Baht by taxi from Bangkok, but do check first, prices do vary. But the Rose Garden is worth a trip on its own, because there is so much to get involved with during the day. In the mornings you can take part in the Living the Thai Culture, an art and craft activity and cost around 500 Baht per person. These included Dancing / Musical Instruments / Garland Making / Fruit Carving / Bamboo Dancing Rice Farming among others.

The Gardens have many exotic flowers and there are some traditional Thai houses. One is used for weddings and another used for a spa centre. Most people go for the Thai Cultural show, with highlights of Thai Martial Art display, and a Traditional Thai wedding display. There is a cast of about 120 people that take part in this display and it is well attended. It is very colourful and impressive to watch, in all around 40 minutes.

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Uploaded on December 26, 2017
Taken on February 2, 2010