Nonthaburi is over 400 years old, dating back to when
Ayutthaya was the capital. The town was originally located
at Tambon Ban Talat Khwan, a famous fruit orchard where
the Chao Phraya River and various canals pass through.
King Prasat Thong ordered the digging
of a canal as a shortcut from the south of Wat Thai
Muang to Wat Khema because the old waterway flowed into
Om River to Bang Yai then to Bang Kruai Canal next to
Wat Chalo before ending in front of Wat Khema.
After the new shortcut was completed,
the Chao Phraya River changed its flow into the new
route that remains today. In 1665, King Narai the Great
noticed that the new route gave enemies too much proximity
to the capital. Therefore, he ordered that a fortress
be built at the mouth of Om River and relocated Nonthaburi
to this area. A city shrine still stands there.
Later during the reign of King Rama
IV of the Rattanakosin period, he ordered the town moved
to the mouth of Bang Su Canal in Ban Talat Khwan. King
Rama V then had the provincial hall built there on the
left bank of the Chao Phraya River. In 1928, the hall
was moved to Ratchawitthayalai, Ban Bang Khwan, Tambon
Bang Tanao Si. It is now the Training Division of the
Ministry of Interior on Pracha Rat 1 Road, Amphoe Muang,
on the bank of the Chao Phraya River. The building is
of European architecture decorated with patterned woodwork.
The Fine Arts Department has registered it as an historical
site. The provincial hall is now on Rattanathibet Road.
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The
Mon Songkran is held for one week after April 13th.
The event features the Mon procession and entertainment.
It is held around Pak Kret district office, Ko Kret.