Nonthaburi (นนทบุรี) is Thailand's second largest city, and the Capital of the Province of this name. It is considered to be a part of the Bangkok Metropolitan Area.
Due to its close proximity to Bangkok the city is actually a suburb of the national capital, and is more or less considered a part of Greater Bangkok - had it not been for the signposts you'd hardly notice where one ends and the other begins. Officially, however, Nonthaburi is one of the five neighboring provinces of Bangkok. Covering an area of 622.303 square kilometres and separated into 2 parts by the Chao Phraya River, Nonthaburi is administratively divided into six districts: Mueang Nonthaburi, Pak Kret, Bang Kruai, Bang Yai, Bang Bua Thong and Sai Noi.
The long history of Nonthaburi dated back 400 years to the era of Ayutthaya Kingdom. Firstly known as Tambon Ban Talad Khwan and noted for its fertile soil and plentiful water where a lot of orchards nest along side the Chao Phraya River, this tambon has been promoted to Nonthaburi City in 1549 under the reign of King Mahajakrapat.
In 1665, King Narai the Great had noticed that the river has changed its own route and it might consequently have a negative effect to the city’s security. Hence, the fortifications have been established at the delta of Om River where the city pillar has been built as the symbol of the new foundation of Nonthaburi.
At the time of Rattanakosin Kingdom, King Mongkut has had Nonthaburi moved to the entrance of Bang Sue Canal in Tambon Ban Talad Khwan where later in the reign of King Chulalongkorn, the city hall has been founded and lasted till 1928. In the same year, King Pokklao has initiated the idea of building a new city hall at Rajawitthayalai Ban Bang Khwan, Tambon Bang Tanowsri on Pracharaj I road along side the Chao Phraya River which nowadays belongs to the Ministry of Interior Affairs. The building, constructed in a European style, has become one of the ancient remains of Thailand while the current city hall is situated on Rattanathibet Road.
- Phibun Songkhram Road, between the foot of Rama VI Bridge and Sri Phon Sawan Theatre intersection
- Pracharat I Road, between the city hall and Sri Phon Sawan Theatre intersection
- Tiwanon Road, between Wat Lanna Bun triangle and Patumthani Pier
- Ngamwongwan Road, between Khae Lai intersection and Kasetsart University intersection
- Nonthaburi I Road, between the city hall and Tiwanon Road
- Bang Kruai-Sai Noi Road, between Rama VI Bridge and Amphoe Sai Noi
- Krungthep-Nonthaburi Road, between Tao Pun triangle and Wat Lanna Bun triangle
- Rattanathibet Road, between Khae Lai intersection and Bang Bua Thong-Taling Chan Road
Several public buses operated by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) connect Bangkok with Nonthaburi.
- Number 69 (Victory Monument – Sanambin Nam)
- Number 104 (Victory Monument – Pak Kret)
- Number 166 (Victory Monument – Pak Kret)
- Number 63 (Victory Monument-Nonthaburi)
- Number 30 (Southern Bus Terminal -Nonthaburi)
- Number 203 (Sanam Luang - Nonthaburi)
- Number 33 (Sanam Luang - Pathum Thani)
- Number 64 (Sanam Luang - Pra Athit - Samsen - Nonthaburi Road)
- Number 114 (Lam Luk Ka intersection - Nonthaburi)
- Number 117 (Huai Khwang-Wat Khema)
- Number 128 (Krungthon Bridge - Bang Yai)
- Number 32 (Wat Pho - Pak Kret)
- Number 51 (Wat Pho - Pak Kret)
- Number 65 (Tha Tian – Wat Pak Nam)
- Number 97 (Monks' Hospital - Nonthaburi)
- Number 522 (Rangsit - Victory Monument)
There are also daily express boats that run along the Chao Phraya River from Wat Ratcha Singh Khon Pier, Amphoe Yanawa and Wat Toei Pier, Amphoe Pak Kret District. Service lasts from 06:00 to 18:00, leaving the pier every 20 minutes.
For more information, contact Chao Phraya Express Boat Co. Ltd. (Tel: 0 2222 5330 or 0 2225 3003 or 0 2623 6001-3 or .
If you're planning to cover large distances on foot - don't. As is the rule in Bangkok, the multilane roads are made for drivers, not walkers. Sidewalk paving is hardly stellar, and the blistering midday heat and surrounding pollution are further complications best avoided.
The island of Ko Kret (Koh Kred), floating in the Chao Phraya river, is easily accessed from Bangkok and distinct enough from the rest of the city to merit its own article.
- IMPACT Exhibition Centre (ศูนย์นิทรรศการอิมแพ็ค). Mueang Thong Thani, 99 Popular Road, Pak Kret, Nonthaburi. Tel: +66 2 504 5050 or 
Wat Khemaphirataram Rajaworawiharn
Situated on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River, in Tambon Suan Yai, Wat Khema was built in the early Ayutthaya period. The monastery underwent restoration during the reigns of Rama II and Mongkut and for a while enjoyed royal patronage. Its large pagoda houses the Buddha’s relics as well as a centuries-old icon of the Buddha which dates to the period of the Wat Khema's founding. Other attractions within the monastic compound include the Tamnak Daeng Building and Phra Thinang Monthian Hall.
How to get there: The monastery can be easily reached by bus. Taking the minibus Rewadi-Wat Pak Nam is also a good option. For those travelling by Chao Phraya express boat get off at Tha Nam Non Pier and from there hop on bus number 203.
- Royal Irrigation Department Golf Course (สนามกอล์ฟชลประทาน) Tivanon Road, Pak Kred, Nonthaburi Tel: +66 2 583 6060-9 ext. 269, +66 2 9623686 (9 holes)
- Visit a prisoner at Big Tiger, (Take the Chao Phraya Express to Nanthaburi Pier, the most northern pier. Get off the boat, walk down the street, and turn left at the first largish street. Keep walking, the prison will be on the right after about 15 minutes' walk. We found the “Foreign Affairs Office” to be unhelpful, telling us we could not visit without a name; instead, keep walking, past the Elephant statues at the front entrance, and down a sloping sidewalk on the right side besides a fence. There, you can sign up to visit.). March 2013: Bang Kwang (“Big Tiger”) is the prison for lifers and those on death row. We were given the name of Andrew Hood, an Australian serving time for smuggling. He is upbeat, energetic, and entertaining to talk to, having done well in making connections within the prison; far from the cockroach-eating desperate prisoner one may expect. Other prisoners may be in worse condition. We were told that only family members are allowed to visit, but they flex the rules to allow other visitors, as long as you appear to be possibly family (from the same race). Andrew is white. Two other prisoners are: Soe Paing Tinsoe (Burmese,) and Chandra Kumar Rai (Nepalese). Both speak English. You could probably visit them if you are Southeast Asian or South Asian, respectively. Your embassy will also give out names, if you write to them far enough in advance. There is no cost for this, other than 20 baht to pay for a passport photocopy if you did not bring one (don't worry, they will bring your passport back). Nobody asked a bribe. They no longer allow bringing in any food or packages from the outside at all; only items from the prison store can be purchased for the prisoners, after your visit. The visits last about 45 minutes, but you may have to wait several hours to be allowed to visit. Each building seems to have it's own visitation days and hours; Andrew was in building 6. When going in, pockets need to be emptied and bags checked. Have all your pocket items in a plastic bag, to make this go quickly. For those who get other names, who want to be visited, PLEASE post them here. It was mentioned that visitors without a specific prisoner's names were becoming a bit too frequent, such that they may suspend the ability to visit in the future. Please post here if that becomes the case. edit
- Hong Seng (Rimnam), (Pak Kret Pier). Open till 14:00 on Tu-Th, 18:00 on F-Su. This restaurant serves some of the best freshwater cooked Thai food. High ratings on the taste, service, and pricing. When there, order Koong Pla (shrimp in sour and spicy sauce), Kung To Kratiem Prik Thai (shrimp fried in garlic and pepper), Tom Yum Pla Kang (kang fish in hot and spicy soup). A reservation is required as the restaurant gets filled up quickly, especially on weekends. edit
There are few accommodation options in Nonthaburi. This is largely due to the lack of foreign tourists, as well as its closeness to Bangkok.
- Nonthaburi Palace, 3/19 Moo 1 Nonthaburi 1 Road, Muang Nonthaburi, ☎ +66 2 9690160 (fax: +66 2 9690150.), . An obscure establishment more familiar to locals as a venue to host wedding banquets. Rooms from 1,200 baht with breakfast. from 1,200 to 4,000 baht. edit
- Buddy Oriental Riverside Pakkred Thai Castle Riverside Hotel, 17/56 Moo 7 Sukhaprachasan 2 Bangpood Pakkred Nonthaburi 11120 Thailand, ☎ +66 0 2 584 2222 (firstname.lastname@example.org, fax: +66 0 2 584 3888), . A magnificent place creates a rich heaven of arts, culture and history reflecting back to the Royal Thai Kingdom. Buddy Oriental Riverside Pakkred is perfectly located by Chao Phraya River in Nonthaburi Province, a principally historical area in Thailand. edit
- Riverine Place Riverside Service Apartments, 9/280 Moo7 Phibulsongkhram Rd., Suan Yai, ☎ +66 26 606 300 (email@example.com, fax: +66 2 6606313), . As its name suggests, this 27-storey luxury serviced apartment is located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River and has a wide range of facilities. from 2,800 to 5,200 baht. edit