The motto of Ratchaburi extols the natural beauty of its land and
people, including caves, earthen jars, a floating market, temples, and its
beautiful and charming women.
Ratchaburi,
a town of historical importance during the Dvaravati period over 1,000 years
ago, is located on the banks of the Mae Klong River 80 kilometers west of
Bangkok. Featuring a diverse topography, Ratchaburi features lowlands to the
east and the Tanaosi Mountain Range to the west, which provides a natural border
with Myanmar (Burma). The Ratchaburi provincial area abounds in natural
attractions and historical sites. Ratchaburi features outstanding natural beauty
and a number of opportunities to learn about Thai culture.
Ratchaburi’s
premier attraction is the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, a ‘must-see’
destination visited by a large percentage of tourists who visit Bangkok. Vendors
in the market sell their wares by paddling boats along Ratchaburi’s canals.
Every morning, hundreds of boats crowd the market, paddled by women in straw
hats. For a few hundred baht visitors can hire their own boats and explore the
canals while shopping for everything from vegetables and fruits to
freshly-cooked noodle and souvenirs.
The province of Ratchaburi was founded in the Dvaravati period more than
1,000 years ago. Modern-day Ratchaburi is located on the bank of Mae Klong
River, about 80 kilometers west of Bangkok. A popular destination with day
trippers from Bangkok, Ratchaburi's most famous sights include the Damnoen
Saduak Floating Market & Rose Garden. A pre-dawn start is required to visit
the floating market as it generally closes by mid-morning. The Rose Garden is an
excellent place to experience Thai culture, including traditional dancing and
Muay Thai. Ratchaburi is also a top destination for rock climbing; The Khao Ngu
Rock Park is a former mining site that has been taken over by rock climbers.
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Samut Prakan Province is situated only twenty-five kilometers from Bangkok, just
north of the Gulf of Thailand. The old section of the district is still referred
to as Pak Nam, which means "river mouth”, a logical name for the city at the
mouth of the Chao Phraya River. Samut Prakan Province covers 1,004 square
kilometers of seasonally flooded plains, crisscrossed by canals.
Samut
Prakan is not a popular tourist destination in and of itself and therefore there
are few guesthouses or hotels; however, because of its proximity to Bangkok many
visitors make day trips from the capital to see the attractions in Samut Prakan,
including the Ancient City, the Erawan Museum, and the Crocodile Farm. As Samut
Prakan has many expatriate foreigners, English is commonly spoken and there are
shops and restaurants that cater to foreign residents and visitors.
Samut Prakan, also known as Pak Nam, is located 29 kilometers south of
Bangkok around the area where the Chao Phraya River flows into the Gulf of
Thailand. It is a town that dates back to the Ayutthaya period. Samut Prakan is
home to numerous historical and cultural sites as well as such attractions as a
crocodile farm, the Dinosaur Museum, Muang Boran Ancient City, and the Erawan
Museum.
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City of the Sacred Bodhi Tree, Sweet Bamboo Shoots, Tasty Fruits, and
Ancient Remains of Dvaravati Towns
Samut
Sakhon was formerly called Tha Chin (Chinese Pier) probably because, in the old
days, it had been a trading port for a vast number of Chinese junks. In 1548, a
town named Sakhon Buri was established at the mouth of the Tha Chin River. It
was a center for recruiting troops from various seaside towns. The name of the
town was changed to Mahachai when Klong (canal) Mahachai was dug in 1704 to
connect the Tha Chin River to the town. Later, the town was renamed Samut Sakhon
by King Rama IV but it is still popularly called Mahachai by its residents.
Samut Sakhon was formerly called Tha Chin probably because, in the old
days, it had been a trading port dealing with a vast number of Chinese junks. In
1548, a town named Sakhon Buri was established at the mouth of the Tha Chin
River. It was a center for recruiting troops from various seaside towns. The
name of the town was changed into "Mahachai" when Klong (canal) Mahachai was dug
in 1704 to join the Tha Chin River to the town. Later, the town was renamed
Samut Sakhon by King Rama IV but it is still popularly called "Mahachai" by the
villagers.
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Samut Songkhram is a province of fertile land, ripe with plants and crops,
including numerous vegetables and fruits, as well as a vast variety of seafood
products. It is also an interesting historical area, particularly during the
early Ratanakosin period, following the fall of Ayutthaya.
Samut Songkhram is located just southwest of Bangkok, along the Gulf of
Thailand. Attractions in the province include floating markets, temples, a
Siamese cat house, and the Ban Phaya So - the home of a famous alto fiddle maker
who combines the art of traditional Thai music with wood carving
Saraburi, a province in the upper central region of Thailand, is rich in tourist
attractions including natural sites, cultural festivals, majestic temples, and
historical venues. Located 108 kilometers north of Bangkok, Saraburi city is
just 65 kilometers from Ayutthaya and the two can be combined to make a diverse
day trip. The most important Buddhist temple in Saraburi, Wat Phra Phutthabat
was built in the 17th century and features a “Buddha footprint” that has made it
one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in central Thailand.
Saraburi
province contains two national parks, Namtok Chet Sao Noi, which features a
scenic waterfall, and Phra Phutthachai, which contains the Khao Sam Lan Forest,
as well as several rivers and waterfalls. For those looking for more than
nature, Saraburi also features some fantastic opportunities for golf.
Saraburi, a province filled with historical sites, also features a 17th
century temple with the holy “footprint” of the Buddha. In addition to beautiful
natural attractions, including two national parks, the region is known for its
delectable food and kindhearted people. Saraburi is located some 108 kilometers
from Bangkok and can be visited as a day trip from the capital or as part of a
weekend trip along with a visit to Ayutthaya.
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Sing Buri lies along the Chao Phraya River 142 km north of Bangkok. Established
in 1895 during the reign of King Rama V through a consolidation of three small
riverside towns, Sara Buri province currently occupies an area of 822 square
kilometers and is divided into six districts (Amphoes): Muang Sing Buri, In
Buri, Bang Rachan, Khai Bang Rachan, Phrom Buri and Tha Chang.
Sing Buri is
well known for abundant river fish, particularly the Mae La catfish, and for the
lively annual boat races during which competitors from the province and beyond
vie for the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Trophy. Attractions in the province
are few, but are interesting, including a hero’s monument, a museum, and Wat
Phra Non Chaksi, a temple that houses a 46 meter-long Buddha image.
Sing Buri is well known for abundant river fish, particularly the Mae La
catfish, and for the lively annual boat races during which competitors from the
province and beyond vie for the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Trophy.
Attractions in the province are few, but are interesting, including a hero’s
monument, a museum, and Wat Phra Non Chaksi, a temple that houses a 46
meter-long Buddha image.
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Because the name of Suphan Buri Province means City of Gold, some believe the
city to be the site of the legendary Suvarnabhumi that is mentioned in ancient
Buddhist texts. The area has been continuously occupied since as early as the
Dvaravati period in the 9th century, when the city was known as Mueang
Thawarawadi Si Suphannaphumi. The city was later called U Thong, after its most
famous son, Prince U Thong became the founder of the Ayutthaya kingdom. The city
was later a historically important border town that was at the front lines of
many conflicts; in 1592, the legendary elephant battle between King Naresuan the
Great and the crown prince of Burma took place in Suphan Buri.
Today
there are many historical sites, in addition to a wide variety of natural
attractions including caves, waterfalls, bird parks, fish sanctuaries, and a
crocodile ‘farm’.
Just a hundred kilometers away from Bangkok, Suphan Buri is an ancient town
rich in natural and historical heritage. The city itself dates back to the 9th
century and the province was once an important border town during the period of
the Ayutthaya kingdom; consequently many battles of important wars were waged in
the province.
Traveling around the province today is like drifting
through a historical novel, with attractions including Don Chedi Monument and
Wat Khao Khuen, whose abbot played a significant role in Thai history. Supan
Buri’s natural wonders include Phu Toei National Park and the Bueng Chawak
Aquarium, and visitors can get a taste of the local culture by trying Sali
Suphan, the famous local-style cake.
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