You never heard of Ratchaburi I bet.
But then again I'm willing to wager that you certainly have heard of
the world famous Thai Floating Market, and even the Rose Garden.
Both are famous and both are popular with visitors from all over the
globe. Ratchaburi is about two hours from Bangkok by road. In your
head though it may as well be another world.
Perched on the banks of
the Mekong the province is truly like a visit to another country
after the hustle and flow of bangkok. Sure the big attractions are
the floating market and Rose Garden is nearby, but there is much
more on tap as well. High on any list are some of Ratchaburi's
magnificent temples (Wats) and museums, and there are hotels and
places to stay that are not only good vlue but downright comfortable.
We would, by the by, suggest that if you want to visit the floating
market that you go the day before. The best time to get the real "look
and feel" of the whole place is well before 9AM when most busses
begin to arrive from the big smoke. Get there early enough, like
before 8AM rent a boat and take to the waterways yourself. Ah a
festival of color, sounds and culture.
Ratchaburi
is a very old city going back to the ancient era. It was a town of
the Suwannaphum Kingdom which was very prosperous.
Ratchaburi
occupies an area of 5,196 square kilometers and is located 101
kilometers from Bangkok along Phetchakasem High way or 80
kilometers along the Highway No.35 (the Thon Buri-Pak Tho
Highway).
Ratchaburi is administratively divided into nine Amphoes: Muang,
Photharam, Damnoen Saduak, pak Tho, Chom Bung, Bang Phae, Wat
Phleng, Suan Phung, and Ban Pong.
Ratchaburi Attractions:
Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat This is an ancient monastery
located in Amphoe Muang. It has a prang constructed during the
prosperous old Khmer era when they ruled the Suwannaphum Kingdom.
The prang has a characteristic of the replica of Phra That of Angkor
Wat.
Ratchaburi National Museum Ratchaburi National Museum is
located in the municipality of Ratchaburi. The museum houses all
ancient items, skeleton of ancient people including those implements
which could be dug for research. Information is provided for each
item on display.
Khao Wang This
small hill 44 meters high is located two kilometers west of the
township are and is accessible by a vehicle road. King Rama V
commanded a palace built on this hill but he made only one visit in
the year 1877.Later in the seventh reign, King Rama VII commanded to
give the palace as Thorani Song land (land belonging to a
monastery). Those who had merit making intentions contributed to the
repair and modification of buildings for the Main Shrine Hall and
monk's living quarters. Later on it was promoted to be a monastery
called "Wat Khao Wang"
Khao Kaen Chan This hill is located in the
vicinity of Amphoe Muang and it is 141 meters high. There is a road
to its peak where a vihara housing Phra Phuttha Nirarokhantarai
Chaiwat Chaturathit Buddha image is located.
Phra Phutthachai Tham Rusi
Khao Ngu This
is a stone cut Buddha image in the attitude of giving the first
preaching sermon which is the oldest among the four built in the
Dvaravati period. It is seven kilometers from the provincial
township along the Ratchaburi-Suan Phung Road (Highway No.3087).
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