Phetchaburi Province General Information
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1 2 Phetchaburi Province the City of Ayutthaya. The prosperity of the Ayutthaya Kingdom can be seen and appreciated in Phetchaburi's wealth of General Information fine old temples. In the Rattanakosin Era, Phetchaburi has changed its character to a town of charming beauty, with Phetchaburi, locally known by Thais as Muang Phetch, is peaceful seaside resorts and superb natural reserves. The three located 160 kilometers south of Bangkok. One of Thailands Kings of the Rattanakosin Period, King Rama IV, V, and VI central region provinces, Phetchaburi is situated on the western established their retreats here. They built the three palaces shore of the Gulf of Thailand with an overall area of namely:- approximately 6,225 square kilometers. Its terrains throughout the western border, where Tanaosri Range lies as a natural border between Thailand and Myanmar, are mountainous dense Phranakhonkhiri, Phraramrajanivet, jungles. In the east, there is an 80-kilometer long coastline Phrarajnivesmarugadayawan in Phetchaburi thus, Phetchaburi is towards the Gulf of Thailand. also known as Muang Sam Wang (the city of the three Palaces). The province is also well known for its splendid historical park, A very old city which used to be an important royal fort town, ancient temples, wonderful beaches and caves, as well as a great Phetchaburi had been given several names such as, Phripphri, variety of local and fresh seafood. Phetchaburi also has a Phripphli or Phetchaphli. Some historians have gone as far as to popular resort town, Cha-am which is the premier beach resort say that Phetchaburi could have been named in Indian style, as in the province. The majority of the local residents are engaged the Indian influence in those days day was strong. Others put in agricultural activities including rice farming, upland crop forward the idea that the name Phetchaburi might have farming, fruit farming, palm sugar production, animal husbandry originated from Maenam Phetch the most important river of the and sea and fresh water fisheries. town. Whatever the assumptions are, the fact that Phetchaburi is an There are three important Maenam in Phetchaburi including ancient city with a very long history is undeniable. This has been "Maenam Phetchaburi with an overall length of 227 kilometers, proven by many archaeological findings which could be dated "Maenam Bang Kloy", with an overall length of 44 kilometers, and back to the Dvaravati Period. During Sukhothai and Ayutthaya "Maenam Bang Tabun", with an overall length of 18 kilometers. Kingdoms, Phetchaburi was a strategic royal fort in the west. Only a lineage of Kings had the rights to rule this historical city. That is why Phetchaburi has been called by some scholars as the "Living Ayutthaya" as the town shares many similar things to 3 4 Festivals Phra Nakhon Khiri Fair Thai Song Dam Festival Phra Nakhon Khiri Fair Phra Nakhon Khiri, also known as Khao Wang, is an important historical site. During the reign of King Thai Song Dam Festival, a merit-making at Song Dam Village, Rama IV, it served as the king's out-of-town palace. To celebrate Khao Yoi district. Games, entertainment and the authentic cuisine of Phetchaburi's cultural heritage-particular Phra Nakhon Khiri-the Thai Song Dam villagers is all on offer. Many villagers wear their people of Phetchaburi hold the Phra Nakhon Khiri Fair regularly traditional costumes a sight rarely seen today. The festival is held around the end of February at Khao Wang Compound. The five-day annually on April 18. fair presents a parade of people enacting the procession of monarchs who ruled Phetchaburi; during the Dvaravati and Srivijaya Periods. Apart from that, there are exhibitions on Phetchaburi's history and archaeological objects. Cooking demonstrations on the provinces famous dishes and sweetmeats are among the main attractions of the fair. Also featured are various kinds of entertainment and contests. 5 6 Local Products Phetchaburi Fruits Khao Chae Phetchaburi Fruits Fruits from every season are found here and the most famous are sweet and aromatic Chom Phu (rose apple), Khao Chae (rice served with ice and sweetened meat) is a renowned fresh Palm seed, pineapple from Don Khun Huai, cantaloupe local dish and is popular during the summer season as it cools you and also the well-known goldn banana from Amphoe Tha Yang. 7 down. Khanomchin Thotman (rice noodles with fishcakes) is also a popular dish. Attractions Sweets The most famous souvenir of the province is sweets made of tanot (palm) sugar, flour, eggs and coconut cream. In the city and along Highway No. 4 are numerous sweet shops with names starting with the word Mae that are Thai dessert specialists, particularly in Phetchaburis specialty Khanom Mo Kaeng. In Hat Laem Luang This white sandy beach, which stretches for addition, Thong Yot, Thong Yip, Foi Thong, and Khanom Tan 2 kilometers, is located 4 kilometers north of Hat Chao Samran are also popular purchases.Other souvenirs include womens and is crowded during weekends. accessories and housewares made of hemp, palm sugar products and a large variety of preserved fruits. 9 10 possible alternative to water sports is bicycle riding along a 6-kilometer sandy white beach. During the weekdays the beach is virtually deserted and there are beach umbrellas and sling chairs are available for hire. Hat Cha-am The premier beach resort of Phetchaburi, Hat Cha- am is just as beautiful as the neighboring Hua Hin Beach. Located approximately 163 kilometers south of Bangkok, 40 kilometers south of Phetchaburi and 20 kilometers north of Hua Hin, the beach is famous for being long and clean. In addition, it Hup Kraphong This is the place where the Hup Kraphong serves excellent fresh seafood. Originally a fishing village, Cha- Royal Development Project is located. King Bhumibhol initiated am received much attention after the royal palace, the project in 1962 with the support of Israel to help local Maruekhathaiyawan, was built near Hua Hin in the reign of farmers experiencing agricultural difficulties as a result from King Rama VI. At that time, the Royal Family and the elite infertile soil. Several studies on soil improvement, various crash occupied the land in Hua Hin and its vicinity as a holiday crops and production efficiency have been conducted. This is seaside resort. When people started looking around for twin one Thailand's leading Royal Projects where travelers can visit seaside resort town for Hua Hin, Cha-ams beauty was to purchase farm produce, crafts (usually made of hemp) and discovered and quickly developed. Today, Cha-am is a popular folk art products which have been exported to many Asian and lively resort town offering a large variety of accommodations European countries. and challenging activities. Boredom is rare in Cha-am as there are a variety of water sports that can be enjoyed, while a 11 12 royal meeting place and theatre. Two famous plays performed in 1941 for King Rama VI were Phra Ruang and Wiwah Phra Samut. The palace is open to the public daily, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday and public holidays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission fee is 90 baht per person. Maruekhathaiyawan Palace The summer seaside palace, often referred to as "the palace of love and hope is located midway between Cha-am and Hua Hin. It was built in 1923 under the royal command of King Rama VI using golden teakwood from the demolished Hat Chao Samran Palace. An Italian architect Tham Khao Yoi This cave is located on the hill, which is clearly designed the palace with a dazzling composition of verandahs visible from Highway No.4, behind the railway station of Khao and latticework in regal proportions. The palace is a two-storied Yoi District, approximately 22 kilometers north of Phetchaburi wooden pavilion with a series of connecting halls and a long town. It was the place where King Rama VI practiced meditation corridor leading to the sea. Residential halls of royal family while he was ordained. Today, it houses several Buddha images. members are on the right wing while those for royal retainers are on the left wing. The central group of halls consists of royal drawing, sitting and reading rooms. In addition, a two-story, open pavilion located next to the central hall was once used as a 13 14 Wat Kuti The temple is located at Bang Khem sub-district, north of Khao Yoi District. It houses a Bot or a ritual hall made Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park Phetchaburis well-known entirely from carved teak wood. The outer surfaces of the walls landmark, the locally known as Khao Wang (Palace Hill) is are carved into scenes depicting the Ten Incarnations of the Lord located up on a 92-meter high verdant hill, in the city of Buddha and the door panels into openwork of intertwined spray Phetchaburi. It was built under the royal command of King patterns. Rama IV and in 1860 became his summer palace. The whole compound is comprised of royal halls, palaces, temples and other buildings which were elegantly constructed in a well- balanced Thai, neoclassical Western and Chinese architectural styles. There are a group of royal residences on the western side of the hill consisting of the Phetchphoomphairot Building, Pramotmahaisawan Building, Wetchayanwichienprasat 15 16 Building, Ratchathammasapha Building and Hor Chatchawanwiengchai Observatory. The original main residence, Phetchphoomphairot and Pramotmahaisawan Buildings are now being used as a museum exhibiting the royal paraphernalia of King Rama IV and King Rama V, decorative sculptures, and ceramics from China, Japan and Europe. The big white pagoda situated on the middle peak of the hill is Phrathat Jomphet.