Suphan Buri

Posted on 9th December 2011 in Central



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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Sing Buri

Posted on 9th December 2011 in Central



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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Saraburi

Posted on 9th December 2011 in Central



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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Samut Songkhram

Posted on 9th December 2011 in Central

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.

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Samut Sakhon

Posted on 9th December 2011 in Central



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 Prakan

Posted on 9th December 2011 in Central

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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Ratchaburi

Posted on 9th December 2011 in Central

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.

A pre-dawn start is required to visit the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market as it generally closes by mid-morning.

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Pranburi

Posted on 9th December 2011 in Central

Pranburi is a quiet, but up-and-coming beach resort, ideal for those who are looking for an unspoiled beach and an opportunity to explore nearby Sam Roi Yod National Park.
Pranburi is a quiet beach town south of Hua Hin near Sam Roi Yod National Park. A burgeoning tourist destination, Pranburi has a number of quiet and beautiful stretches of beach that are slowly seeing the development of a number of mid-range and up-scale hotels and resorts. Pranburi is becoming popular with those who are looking for a quiet alternative to nearby Hua Hin, particularly those who wish to combine time at the beach with day trips to nearby Sam Roi Yod National Park.

Situated just 30km south of Hua Hin, Pranburi is beginning to attract more visitors to its quiet and pristine beaches along the Gulf of Thailand. While perhaps not as beautiful as the beach at Hua Hin, Pranburi features a peaceful environment and is located near Sam Roi Yod National Park and Pranburi Forest Park, which features a spectacular mangrove forest where a river flows into the sea.

Nearby Tham Phraya Nakhon features a large pavilion built in 1896 during the reign of King Rama V.

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Prachuap Khiri Khan

Posted on 9th December 2011 in Central

City of pure gold, delectable coconuts and pineapples, delightful beaches, mountains and caves, land of spiritual beauty.
Prachuap Khiri Khan is the province occupying Thailand’s narrowest possession on the Isthmus of Kra, the land bridge connecting the Malay Peninsula with mainland Asia. At its narrowest, Prachuap Khiri Khan is 13 kilometers wide from the Gulf of Thailand on the east to Myanmar (Burma) on the west, although the narrowest point of the Isthmus itself is farther south in Chumphon Province. Nonetheless, this long, narrow province features some spectacular coastline along the Gulf of Thailand including Hua Hin, the country’s oldest resort town, which is located just north of the provincial capital.

Serving as a gateway to Thailand’s more southerly provinces along the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, Prachuap Khiri Khan’s income comes mainly from fishing and agriculture, while tourism is largely focused on Hua Hin. Although the province beyond Hua Hin is not a major tourist spot, it is certainly rich in natural resources, including mountainous areas, islands, and relaxing beaches. The province also features several national parks, including Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park which was established to protect the largest freshwater marshes in Thailand.

Prachuap Khiri Khan is an attractive alternative destination for visitors who want to avoid overcrowded resorts, while it is easily accessible from Bangkok. There are plenty of peaceful lesser-known attractions, particularly as you venture away from the main town. It is also a popular destination among Thais so the province can perhaps give travelers a greater insight into the “real” Thailand.

The provincial capital of Prachuap Khiri Khan is a fishing port with a superb location beside beautiful curving bays and amongst steep mountain outcrops. About 100 kilometers to the north of Prachuap Khiri Khan is Hua Hin, Thailand’s first beach resort, which is renowned for world class golf and spa resorts. Between Hua Hin and Prachuap Khiri Khan are Pran Buri, where there are many boutique resorts, and Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, which features soaring peaks, numerous caves and exotic bird life.

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Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

Posted on 9th December 2011 in Central



Once considered the most spectacular city on Earth, the ruins of the capital of the Kingdom Ayutthaya are now a major tourist attraction easily accessible from Bangkok by car, train, or boat as either a daytrip or overnight excursion.

Ayutthaya is one of Thailand’s historical and majestic highlights. The capital of Thailand, then known as the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya was a glorified as one of the biggest cities in Southeast Asia and a regional power for 417 years.

The Kingdom of Ayutthaya reached its apex in terms of sovereignty, military might, wealth, culture, and international commerce in the 16th century, when the Kingdom’s territory extended into and beyond present-day Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar. Ayutthaya had diplomatic relations with Louis XIV of France and was courted by Dutch, Portuguese, English, Chinese and Japanese merchants.

During the 17th century, most foreign visitors to Ayutthaya, traders and diplomats alike, claimed Ayutthaya to be the most illustrious and glittering city that they had ever visited. The map of Ayutthaya published in 1691 by Simon de la Loubere in Du Royaume De Siam is proof of such recognition.

Visitors can explore and appreciate Thai history in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, which is only 86 kilometers north of Bangkok. Visitors to Ayutthaya can marvel at its grandeur reflected through numerous magnificent temples and ruins concentrated in and around the city, which is located upon an “island” surrounded by the Chao Phraya, Pa Sak and Lopburi Rivers.

Although there are numerous attractions, the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park in the heart of Ayutthaya city, is a UNESCO’s World Heritage site and a wonder to behold.

Once the capital of the Thai Empire, Ayutthaya was a truly impressive city; with three palaces and over 400 temples, located on an island threaded by canals, it attracted traders and diplomats from both Europe and Asia. In 1767, 417 years after it was founded and 15 months after the siege began, the Kingdom of Ayutthaya was conquered and the city’s magnificent structures were almost completely destroyed by Burmese invaders. When King Taksin the Great finally liberated the Kingdom, a new dynasty was established and the capital was moved to Thonburi, across the river from modern-day Bangkok.

The ruins that now remain, many of which have been painstakingly restored, have been granted World Heritage status by UNESCO. The architecture of Ayutthaya is a fascinating mix of Khmer and early Sukhothai styles. Some cactus-shaped obelisks, called prangs, denote Khmer influence and look something like the famous towers of Angkor Wat. The more pointed stupas are ascribed to the Sukhothai influence.

Ayutthaya is only located about 90 kilometers from Bangkok and can be visited on a daytrip; however, if you appreciate history and religious and historical monuments, an overnight stay will allow for two full days of sightseeing, including a dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya, past the illuminated Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park, and a visit to only of the city’s many other attractions, including the nearby Bang Sai Folk Arts and Craft Center.

Visit the Ayutthaya Historical Study Center to learn more about the history of the city.

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