Phetchaburi Thailand

General Information.

Phetchaburi, whose short name is Muangphetch, is an ancient city having a very long history. The archaeological evidence suggests that the community existed since the Dvaravati Period. The evidence clearly shows that during Sukhothai and Ayutthaya Periods, Phetchaburi was and important city in the West, a fortified frontier of the Ayutthaya Kingdom against the Burmese. A lineage of Kings ruled this historical city. The history of Phetchaburi has been found in the remains and antiques, not to mention the valuable works of art handed down from its ancestors to the present generation.

In the Rattanakosin Period, Phetchaburi has changed its role from a strategic city to a town full of natural beauty, a seside resort and a place to take a pleasant journey to. The three Kings of the Rattanakosin Period, King Rama the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth found their retreats here. They built the three palaces : Phranakhonkhiri, Phraramrajanivet, Phrarajnivesmarugadayawan in Phetchaburi.

Phetchaburi has been nicknamed by some scholars as the " Living Ayutthaya " because the town has many things similar to the Ayutthaya City which was almost completely destroyed after the Thai-Burmese War over two hundred years ago. The prosperity of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, and can be seen and appreciated by anyone who is interested.

Phetchaburi occupies an area of 6,225 square kilometres, characterised by thick jungles and mountain ranges lying in the west as a border between Thailand and Myanmar, and 80 km. long coastline towards the Gulf of Thailand in the east. Phetchaburi is divided into 8 districts (Amphoes): Muang Phetchaburi, Ban Laem, Ban Lat, Cha-am, Kaeng Krachan, Khao Yoi, Nong Ya Plong and Tha Yang.

Distance from Amphoe Mueang to Other Districts :

- Tha Yang 18 kilometres
- Cha-am 40 kilometres
- Ban Laem 12 kilometres
- Ban Lat 8 kilometres
- Khao Yoi 23 kilometres
- Nong Ya Plong 34 kilometres
- Kaeng Krachan 57 kilometres
- Hua Hin 66 kilometres
- Ratchaburi 54 kilometres

Amphoe Ban Laem

Hat Laem Luang
Hat Laem Luang Located 4 kms. north of Hat Chao Samran, this beach stretchs for 2 kms. and is full of white sand.

Wat Khao Takhrao
Wat Khao Takhrao Travel 12 kms. from Phetchaburi to Amphoe Ban Laem and continue for another 6 kms. This temple houses a highly revered sitting Buddha image called "Luang Pho Khao Takhrao". The image was found at the mouth of the Mae Klong River in Samut Songkhram by the villagers of Ban Laem, who migrated from Ban Laem to Samut Songkhram during the fall of Ayutthaya.

Amphoe Cha-am.

Hat Cha-am.
Hat Cha-am This beautiful beach, twinned with Hua Hin of Phrachuap Khiri Khan, is located 40 kms. south of the town or 20 kms. north of Hua Hin, and another 2 kms. along an access road. Cha-am was originally a small fishing village. After a royal palace was built near Hua Hin in the reign of King Rama VI, the land was occupied by the royal family and the elite. Today, it is very popular among Thais who love superb seafood and comfortable hotel or bungalow accommodation.

Hup Kraphong.
Hup Kraphong Turn right at Km.201-202, 4 kms. before arriving at Cha-am and continue for another 8 kms. This area was originally dry and infertile. In 1962, King Rama IX had an idea to help local farmers and established the Hup Kraphong Rural Development Project with the support of Israel. There were studies on various crops growing in accordance with market requirements. Tourists can buy farm produces as well as fine crafts made of hemp.

Marukhathaiyawan Palace.
Marukhathaiyawan Palace This summer palace, referred to as "the palace of love and hope" is located between Cha-Am and Hua Hin. It was built under the royal command of King Rama VI in the year 1923, with the materials from the demolished Hat Chao Samran Palace. It is a two-storeyed wooden pavilion with series of halls linking each other, and a long corridor leading to the sea. The compound is open everyday, Mon to Fri 8 a.m.-4 p.m. ; Sat, Sun and public holdays 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is 90 baht per person.

Amphoe Kaeng Krachan.

Kaeng Krachan National Park.
Kaeng Krachan National Park This is the most extensive national park of Thailand occupying an area of 2,915 square kilometres and still largely unexplored. The national park office is located, 3 kms. beyond Kaeng Krachan Dam. It was declared a national park on June 12,1981, with clearly defined areas for a reservoir and year round green jungle in the Tanaosri Ranges, which are the origins of many rivers. The area is also rich in flora and fauna and has an 18-level waterfall named Namtok Tho Thip. About 54 kms. from the park office on the Sai Wang Won-Namtok Tho Thip route, there is a viewpoint affording magnificent views of misty mountains in the morning and suitable for bird and butterfly watching. Rafting along the Phetchaburi River takes some 6 hours, passing rapids and several smaller rivers.

Amphoe Khao Yoi

Lao Song or Thai Song Dam Tribal Villages.
Lao Song or Thai Song Dam Tribal Villages These are found in many vicinities in Amphoe Khao Yoi, particularly at Ban Nong Prong and Ban Thap Khang. Their ancestors have migrated from Laos. Their old customs and traditions are occasionally practised. In April, they organize their own social events with entertainment and folk plays.

Tham Khao Yoi.
Tham Khao Yoi This cave is located behind the railway station of Amphoe Khao Yoi, 22 kms. prior to arriving at Phetchaburi town. It houses several Buddha images and was the place where King Mongkut practised meditation while he was in the monkhood.

Wat Kuti.
Wat Kuti This temple at Tambon Bang Khem, north of Amphoe Khao Yoi, houses a Bot or rite hall made entirely from carved teak wood. Its outer surface of the walls was carved into scenes depicting Lord Buddha’s story and the door panels into openwork of intwined spray patterns, all with masterly craftsmanship.

Amphoe Muang

Khao Bandai It.
Khao Bandai It This hill is 121 metres high and just 2 kms. south of Khao Wang. It is the site of an ancient temple of the Ayutthaya Period. There are several caves called Tham Prathum, Tham Phra Chao Sua, and Tham Phra Phuttha Saiyat.

Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park.
Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park The palace is considered beautiful with a blend of natural beauty and art. One interesting thing about the architectural design of the palace buildings is the mix of neoclassical, Thai, and Chinese style which is rather unique.

Location and Route It is located on Phetkasem Road, about one kilometer from the junction, the entrance to the town. There are two ways to ascend the hill :

Walking Up : Through it might be a little bit tiring, a traditional way to enjoy and be close to the nature, is to walk up the stone path at the front. Aside from the vegetation especially the lantom, plants which cover most areas of the hill and when in full bloom during summer will produce sweet smelling flowers, a horde of monkeys inhabiting the hill usually come out along the path to great visitors. One caution is that the visitors should not carry along with them food bags or drinks. The monkeys might harm them if they are hungry, agitated, or disturbed.

Taking the cable car : For a visitor who wants quick access, the cable car service is open from 8:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekend. The fares which include the admission fee to visit the museum are 50 baht for adults and 30 baht for children.

Interesting things The group of the royal residence on the western side of the hill. It consists of the Phetchphoomphairot Building, Pramotmahaisawan Building, Wetchayanwichienprasat Building, Ratchathammasapha Building and Hor Chatchawanwiengchai Observatory. The main residence, Phetchphoomphairot and Pramotmahaisawan Buildings are now the museum displaying the valuable objects and utensils belonging to King Rama the Fourth and the Fifth.

Phrathatjomphet It is the big white pagoda situated on the middle peak of the hill. King Mongkut renovated the old pagoda, which was there before, by making it bigger and later some Buddha relics were enshrined here.

Wat Phrakaewnoi It was situated on the eastern peak of the hill, and was constructed traditionally s the temple in the palace precinct, similar to Wat Phrakaew of the Grand Palace in Bangkok. Here the interesting things are : Jedeedaeng, the red square-based pagoda. The ordination hall. The hall is a small beautifully symmetrical structure. The stucco at the gables is said to be a masterpiece of Phetchaburi. The design is in the pattern of King Mongkut's emblem, Phichai Mongkut or the conquering crown. Phra Sutthasela Chedi. The pagoda was built from greenish gray marble. An amazing thing about this is that the marble was first sculptured into pieces to make a pagoda at Ko Srichang, an island of the coast of Pattaya, a well known seaside resort on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Thailand. Then it was dismantled and transported to Phetchaburi, on the western coast of the Gulf, and reconstructed here.

Phra Ram Ratchaniwet.
Phra Ram Ratchaniwet This palace of European architectural style is originally called "Wang Ban Pun". It is situated in the south of the town. King Rama V commanded it built as a rainy season palace in 1916. It was used to welcome and accommodate state visitors during the reign of King Rama VI.

Tham Khao Luang.
Tham Khao Luang Located 5 kms. north of Khao Wang, this cave houses a Buddha image cast by the royal command of King Rama V as a dedication to King Rama III and King Rama IV.

At the foot of the Khao Luang Hill, there is a large monastery called “Wat Tham Klaep” or Wat Bun-thawi which has a very large hall and a chapel with beautifully carved door panels.

Wat Kamphaeng Lang.
Wat Kamphaeng Lang This temple, situated in the town, was originally a Khmer place of worship. It was later turned into a Buddhist temple and a shrine hall was constructed. However, the outlook of the place has not much changed due to the existence of sandstone walls and four Khmer style pagodas.

Wat Mahathat Worawihan.
Wat Mahathat Worawihan This old temple is situated by the Phetchaburi River in the town centre. There is a five-topped pagoda constructed in accordance with the Mahayana concept housing Lord Buddha’s relics. The stucco designs decorated on the vihara and the ubosot reflect the excellent skill of local craftsmen.

Wat Yai Suwannaram.
Wat Yai Suwannaram This is another important temple in the town, situated 1 km. east of the city hall. The main shrine hall has no windows. It contains 300-year-old mural paintings of mythical angels. The multi-purpose hall, once located in Ayutthaya’s Grand Palace, was entirely built of teak wood and decorated with fine carving work especially at the door panels. The hall also houses a preaching throne with intricate wood carvings and gold gilt works of Bangkok design.

Amphoe Tha Yang.

Hat Puk Tian.
Hat Puk Tian This wide and long beach is popular among Thai tourists. It is 7 kms. south of Hat Chao Samran.

Festivals :

Phra Nakhon Khiri Fair Phra Nakhon Khiri, also known as Khao Wang, is an important historical site. During the reign of King Rama IV, it served as the king’s out-of-town palace.

To celebrate Phetchaburi’s cultural heritage-particular Phra Nakhon Khiri-the people of Phetchaburi hold the Phra Nakhon Khiri Fair regularly around the end of February at Khao Wang Compound.

The five-day fair presents a parade of people enacting the procession of monarchs who ruled Phetchaburi; during the Dvaravati and Srivijaya Periods. Aprat from that, there are exhibitions on Phetchaburi’s history and archaeological objects. Cooking demonstrations on the province’s famous dishes and sweetmeats are among the main attractions of the fair. Also featured are various kinds of entertainment and contests.

Thai Song Dam Festival , a merit-making at Song Dam Village, Khao Yoi district. Games, entertainment and the authentic cuisine of Thai Song Dam villagers is all on offer. Many villagers wear their traditional costumes – a sight rarely seen today. The festival is held annually on April 18.

How to get there.

Car :
From Bangkok, drive along Highway No. 35 (Thon Buri-Pak Tho) passing Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram and then Highway No. 4 to Phetchaburi, a total distance of 123 kilometres.

Bus :
Both air conditioned and non air-conditioned buses depart from Southern Bus Termianl for Phetchaburi daily. Contact 0 2435 1199-200 or Phetchaburi Tour, Tel: 0 2435 7408.

Train :
Visitors can take trains from either Hua Lamphong Railway Station or Bangkok Noi Railway Station. Call 1690 for more information.

Local Products.

Chaeng Lon.
This is Chon Buri's special delicacy which uses the same ingredients as Ho Mok, with coconut shreds to replace coconut milk. The mixture is hand molded into small buns on a stick, and charcoal-grilled until cooked.

Hoi Cho.
This Chinese delicacy is Chon Buri's famous dish because a special kind of sea crabs is used as the main ingredient.

Khao Lam.
Khao Lam This specialty is made with sticky rice, sugar and coconut cream cooked in specially-prepared bamboo rods.