Suphanburi Province

Suphanburi (Thai: สุพรรณบุรี) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighbouring provinces are (from north clockwise) Uthai Thani, Chainat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Nakhon Pathom and Kanchanaburi. The city lies about 100 km to the north and west of the capital, Bangkok. By road it’s about an hour and a half’s drive. Reaching the outer ring road (Kanchanapisek Highway 9), Highway 340 runs past the city on its way north. The province consists of ten districts; Mueang Suphanburi, Doem Bang Nang Buat, Dan Chang, Bang Pla Ma, Si Prachan, Don Chedi, Song Phi Nong, Sam Chuk, U Thong and Nong Ya Sai. Most of these feature specifically in the tour narrative. The provincal city derives its name from Sanskrit meaning the City of Gold.
Geography: The terrain of the province is mostly low river plains, with the lowest elevation around the Tha Chin River. This area noted for its rice paddies. Suphanburi does have a mountainous region in Dan Chang District to the northwest where the Phu Toei National Park is located along the border with Kanchanaburi and Uthai Thani Provinces. The province records its highest temperatures in April (26-37 degrees Celsius) while the highest rainfall is in September.
History: Historically the region is quite important with a high concentration of ruins dating from the Dvaravati Period (4th-11th Century). At this time the coastline was much closer to the city state before the delta silted up. Suphanburi might be the site of the legendary Suvarnabhumi, which is mentioned in very old Buddhist writings. However the first confirmed historical settlement was was known as Meuang Thawarawadi Si Suphannaphumi ("the Dvaravati city of Suvarnabhumi"). Its founding did take place 877-882. Later it was called U Thong, and was the home city of Prince U Thong, the founder of the Ayutthaya kingdom. King Khun Luang Pha Ngua finally gave it the current name. Suphanburi was an important border city, and also the location of several battles with the neighbouring Burmese, notably the battle of Bueng Nong Sarai (1592) when King Naresuan defeated Prince Mingyi Swa to liberate Ayutthaya.
Tourism: Despite excellent transport links and within an easy drive from Bangkok, Suphanburi is not high on the list of tourist destinations. However it does have its share of natural attraction and is of great historical importance and a province where a traditional way of living dies hard.