Nonthaburi Province

Nonthaburi is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand, established by an Act establishing Changwats Samut Prakan, Nonthaburi, Samut Sakhon and Nakhon Nayok which came into force on 9 March 1946. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Bangkok, and Nakhon Pathom. Nonthaburi is the most densely populated province after Bangkok. The Bang Kwang Central Prison is located here.
Geography......Nonthaburi is directly northwest of Bangkok on the Chao Phraya River. The province is part of the greater Bangkok Metropolitan Area. In most parts it is as urbanized as the capital, and the boundary between the two provinces is nearly unrecognisable.
History......Nonthaburi was declared a city in the middle of the 16th century, which was previously a village named Talat Khwan. During the reign of King Prasat Thong, a canal was dug to create a shortcut for the flow of the Chao Phraya. The river changed its flow into the new canal, which is still the riverbed today. In 1665 King Narai built a fortress, as the shorter river course was giving enemies an easier route to the capital, Ayutthaya.
Agriculture...... Although you wouldn't expect these days of urban development, for agriculture to be a feature of Nonthaburi's economy, not long ago durian fruit trees thrived along the banks of the Chao Phraya River. The quality of 'durian non' is considered to be the best in the world. However growing urbanisation and extensive losses in the 2011 flood have reduced the durian crop to a fraction of what it was, causing the price of this variety to rocket.
Tourism......Nonthanburi benefits from excellent transport links with Bangkok not least because of the Chao Phraya River which passes through the province. Nonthaburi is also served by the recently opened MRT (Mass Rapid Transport) railway link. Although not noted for its tourist sites, Koh Kret, an island in a bend of the Chao Phraya River is worth a visit. The island is famous for its pottery and has a floating market and its own brewery. Here and at other locations in the district, for example at Wat Khemapirataram Ratchaworawihan, there is evidence of Mon culture in the Ayutthaya Period.