Samut Prakan Tourism 2024/2/20 Posted by: Macchan Updated 2024/03/02

Travel around Thailand while staying in Bangkok with Muang Boran (เมืองโบราณ)

“Visiting famous places all over Thailand while staying in Bangkok!?”

Hello, this is Macchan.
I heard that there is a spot in Samut Prakan province next to Bangkok where you can visit famous places all over Thailand while staying in Bangkok.

In Bangkok and all over Thailand? What is it?

In this article, we will introduce Muang Boran, a theme park where you can travel around Thailand.

What is Muang Boran (เมืองโบราณ:The Ancient City)?

Muang Boran is a theme park located in Samut Prakan province, right next to Bangkok.
Muang Boran (เมืองโบราณ) means "ancient city" in Thai.
It has a long history, opening in 1972. The vast grounds modeled after Thailand (approximately twice the size of Tokyo Disneyland at 200 acres) are home to 116 pavilions modeled after famous spots from all over Thailand.
It is said to be the world's largest outdoor museum.

↑This is a diagram showing the site.
It really does look like a Thailand! What's surprising is that not only are the pavilions identical in shape, but they are also geographically located in precise locations within the grounds.

Since its opening, it has been entertaining not only Thai people but also tourists visiting Thailand.

The founder is businessman Lek Wiriyapan

Muang Boran was built by Thai businessman Lek Wiriyappan.

He is one of the richest people in Thailand, having made his fortune through the automobile sales business from overseas. He is also the one who founded the Erawan Museum, although I have not been there yet.

Muang Boran's vast land was originally planned as the site for a golf course.

It was a golf course with a new concept where you could play golf on a course modeled after an ancient city. In order to gain knowledge about creating replicas of ancient ruins and historical buildings, he travels around Thailand for several years with archaeologists, learning about the origins and historical background of each region.

Under these circumstances, he felt it was his mission to pass on the traditional Thai techniques and roots of the Thai people to future generations, so he changed his plans to build a golf course and created an outdoor museum modeled after an elaborate ancient ruin on this site. I have decided to do so.

Queen Elizabeth II visited here in 1972, its first year of operation.

↑This is Lek Wiriyapan.
He's a handsome guy with a sweet mask. I feel like I met you somewhere. .

That's right, a huge wooden temple in Pattaya.

He was the same person who founded Asia's Sagrada Familia, the Sanctuary of Truth. The Sanctuary of Truth opened in 1981, so Muang Boran came before it. ``Sanctuary of Truth'' also had the purpose of preserving Thai art and traditional crafts for future generations, and Muang Boran has the same concept. Over several years, the dots were connected by a line. I see, I understand.

Also used as the setting for the movie “The Hangover 2”

Muang Boran was also used as a filming location for my favorite movie, ``The Hang Over 2,'' and for those who know it, it is a sacred place.

This is the Chinmayi temple where Alan regained his memory after meditating. Where is the building where Phil and Stu meditated with Han Laozi?

? In that sense, it was a place I had always wanted to come to.

I am an elephant

[The Hangover 2] Where is that place in the story? A trip to movie locations

Do you know the "Hangover" movie series? This is an American comedy film that was a low-budget mega hit that grossed approximately 50 billion yen worldwide. The first movie was set in Las Vegas, but the success of the first one led to a sequel, and the second movie was set in Bangkok, Thailand. The synopsis of ``This movie is really interesting regardless of its tie'' is generally the same throughout the series. It starts with a scene in a messed up room and a person waking up with a head-splitting hangover. Every time, an important character in the story goes missing, and I shake my head and find out...

Access to Muang Boran

It is convenient to access Muang Boran from Bangkok by BTS.

The nearest station is Kheha Station, the last stop on the BTS Sukhumvit Line

from Exit 3 of BTS Kei Ha Station , there will be a songthaew with the number "36" written on it, so get on it.

The fare is 20 baht per person (as of December 2023).
We will arrive in about 10 minutes after departure.

There seems to be a free shuttle bus running from Keiha Station only on Saturdays and Sundays, but since it only runs twice a day and is infrequent, we recommend using a songthaew.

On this day, I was with a tourist from Indonesia. There didn't seem to be any Thai people in the same songthaew, so it seems to be a popular spot for foreign tourists as well.

Muang Boran fees and system

Ticket type and price

We arrived at the site shortly after riding the songthaew.

Purchase tickets at the ticket center.

Ticket prices are as follows. Rent the vehicle described below when purchasing a ticket.

• Adult: 700 baht
• Child (6-14 years old): 350 baht
• Thai adult: 400 baht*
• Thai child: 200 baht*

*Those living in Thailand will be charged the Thai rate upon presentation of a work permit.

Vehicle type and fee

As mentioned above, Muang Boran is very large and it is not practical to walk around it. Therefore, rent one of the vehicles.

① Bicycle

Bicycle rental fee is 50 baht.

The Indonesian family I mentioned earlier asked me if I would like to ride in a cart with them, but since I was mainly there for an interview, I declined.
By bicycle, you can see most of the monuments in about 2 to 3 hours.

(It's extremely hot so be careful)

②Golf cart

There are three types of golf carts depending on the number of people they can accommodate.

If you are traveling with a family or a large number of people, choose a golf cart.
About 70% of people used carts.

*Driving license and passport must be presented at the time of rental.

③ Excursion tram

A tram that takes you to the main spots in the park costs 50 baht.
There are two types, and they tour the park four times a day, taking about two hours.
The operating hours of the tram are as follows.

tram 1
10:00〜12:00
13:00〜15:00
15:00〜17:00
17:00〜19:00

tram 2
10:30〜12:30
13:00〜15:30
14:30〜17:00
16:00〜18:30

Introducing the pavilion. There are recommended pavilions.

Muang Boran Park is divided into five areas.

• ① Northern area
• ②Tohoku area
• ③Central area
• ④Southern part
• ⑤Suvarnabhumi area

When you think of Suvarnabhumi, you probably think of Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
The etymology of Suvarnabhumi comes from the words Suan (สุวรรณ), which means gold, and Phumi (ภูมิ), which means land, and means "land of gold."

It is mentioned in many Buddhist scriptures, and its exact location is still unknown. Each regional area (1) to (4) has replicas of the corresponding region, and the Suvarnabhumi area (5) is lined with pavilions that recreate buildings related to legends and folklore from around Thailand.

There are 120 pavilions and replicas of ancient ruins within the park, and there are many routes to take, so it's best to plan your route in advance to decide which spots to visit.

However, there is no problem if you can't decide.

Official Muang Boran has decided on recommended spots that you should see!

Here I will introduce some of my favorite spots, focusing on recommended spots.
The number is the pavilion number

Free:The Great Hall of Vajradhamma

As you enter, the golden building on the left is an Ayutthaya-style temple called the Great Hall of Vajradhara. Vajradhamma is called Mochi Kongobutsu in Japanese and is considered to be a type of Tathagata. He is the highest deity in Tibetan esoteric Buddhism. ``Vajra'' means diamond or something hard, and like Vajra (diamond), this Buddha had a solid heart of enlightenment.

Inside the main hall, there are 28 golden Buddha statues lined up in rows, making it a very spectacular sight.

If you look closely, there are small golden Buddha statues on the inner walls...you will be stunned by the luxury and precision of the decorations.

It is located at the beginning of Muang Boran, so please check it out.

27:The Sanphet Prasat Palace

Sanphet Prasat Palace is a replica of the palace built in the early Ayutthaya period during the reign of King Baromatrai Lokanath, the 8th king of Ayutthaya.

This palace was used as a ceremonial venue to entertain many foreign dignitaries, and its solemn decoration, which differed from the previous Sukhothai style, was called the ``Ayutthaya style'' and was often seen in buildings of this period.

The original palace was burnt down during the Burmese invasion of Ayutthaya in 1767, and only the brick basement remains today.

When Queen Elizabeth visited on February 11, 1972, the King used this palace as a reception venue to welcome her.

That day is considered the official opening day of Muang Boran. When you first pass through the entrance gate, you will see this spectacular building.

There is also a panel of the Ancient City, so why not take your first commemorative photo?

30:The Phra Kaew Pavilion

The Phra Kaew Pavilion is an octagonal tower modeled after the Ayutthaya era. It was built based on the carvings of the octagonal pavilion on the wooden door panel of a scripture shelf from the Ayutthaya period.

There are also lotus ponds, which somehow remind you of the division of Greater China.
Apparently this is the place where Phil and his friends meditated in the movie The Hangover 2.
I finally got to see it.

102: Sumeru Mountain

This pavilion is particularly eye-catching with its giant catfish-like fish object.
This place, called ``Mount Shumisen'' in Buddhist terms, is a mountain that exists at the center of the world in the Buddhist world that originated in ancient India.

Source: Hifudoson Ryukozan Shohoin site

There is an ocean surrounding the mountain, and it is said that gods such as Taishakuten live in the center of the mountain.

In this pavilion, the pagoda in the center of the pond represents Mt. Sumeru, and the pond represents the ocean outside.

105: Mondop of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvar

Avalokiteśvara is a symbol of Kanzeon Bodhisattva, and is affectionately known as Kannon.
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva still had a male motif, but since the Tang Dynasty in China, the image has changed to a gentler female figure.

This statue also has the appearance of a woman. The image of Kannon in Japan is a gentle and gentle figure, but this Kannon has a dignified figure.

Mondop is a style of Buddhist architecture in Thailand and is usually a square or cross-shaped building with a peaked roof.

110: Pavilion of the Enlightened

The Pavilion of the Enlightened is a Buddhist temple that stands out among the many pavilions in Muang Boran.

The contrast between the golden and green buildings, which are a fusion of Thai, Myanmar, and Chinese architectural styles, and the pond is so beautiful that it becomes a picture that will leave you spellbound. Inside the Buddhist temple, golden statues of monks from Mahayana and Hinayana Buddhism are enshrined.

This pavilion is the newest one in Muang Boran.

116:Ghost Museum

This pavilion is a museum about traditional Thai ghosts.
Learn more about Thailand's beliefs and popular culture regarding ghosts and mythical creatures.

All of the buildings in Muang Boran are truly spectacular, but this ghost museum has a bit of a B-class feel, and I think people who like strange places like Hell Temple will like it.

It's very hot so stay hydrated at the shop at Nothan Thai Village!

There is a souvenir shop street called ``60: Nothan Thai Village'' in the part of Thailand that corresponds to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.

There are no particularly unusual souvenirs, but before you get heatstroke from cycling around in the scorching sun, make sure to hydrate yourself with a cold drink.

To protect myself from the sun, I bought a Gancher hat for 85 baht at a souvenir shop.
I had a very kindergarten-like feel to it, so I haven't worn it anywhere else.

Free area available. You can enjoy it for free

As mentioned above, Muang Boran requires an entrance fee, but there is also an area in front of the entrance gate that you can enjoy for free.

This orange area, the elephant trunk in the shape of Thailand, is a free area.
In addition to several pavilions, you can enjoy shopping and dining on the souvenir street.

Many students came on a school trip that day.

How to return to Keiha Station by songthaew

There is no problem if you are returning by taxi, but please be careful if you want to return to BTS Keiha Station by songthaew. On the way back, the songthaew runs on the opposite side of the road from where you came, but the road is wide and there is a median strip, so you can't cross it.

↑There is a pedestrian bridge after leaving the Muang Boran site and walking about 200m.
Use it to cross to the opposite lane and catch songthaew number 36, just like on the way out. If the songthaew is not stopped in the opposite lane, you must stop the songthaew passing by.

Basic information about Muang Boran (Ancient City)

MAP

summary

The idea of ​​a theme park that brings together famous places in Japan is very unique, and it would be very interesting if there was a similar place in Japan.

Muang Boran is not only a large-scale theme park, but also the high quality of the buildings and monuments with great attention to detail.I feel that the ideas of the founder, Mr. Lek Wilyapan, have been passed down to the present day. I did.

This is a particularly recommended spot for those who want to know about Thailand's history and those who like looking at architecture.

For a similar outdoor theme park, we also recommend Nong Nut Tropical Garden in Pattaya.

I am an elephant

A must-go if you come to Pattaya. Nong Nut Tropical Garden

``If you're going sightseeing in Pattaya during the day, there's a place you should definitely go to!'' Hello, I'm Macchan. It's a sudden, but Pattaya is nice. Bangkok is also a fun city with lots of activities to do, but when I visit Thailand, I always want to go to Pattaya. In a word, it's calming. My heart is at peace. Would you like to come and drink Chang beer while looking out at Pattaya Beach? The stress of everyday life will be blown away somewhere. Hmm, this sunset and beer. Priceless. But I sometimes hear people say, ``Isn't there nothing to do in Pattaya during the day?''

Please be sure to visit this place along with Muang Boran when you travel to Thailand.

I would appreciate it if you could share it if you found it helpful.

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