Ratchaburi is one of the central provinces of Thailand. Ratchaburi means "The land of the king", 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.
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How to get there, RatchaburiBy BusBoth air-conditioned and non air-conditioned buses leave Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal daily. It takes 2 hour for the trip. Contact Transport Co. Ltd. Tel: 0 2435 1199-200
By Cara) From Bangkok, take Highway No. 4 (Phahonyothin Road) to Ratchaburi via Bang Khae, Om Noi, Om Yai, Nakhon Chai Si, Nakhon Pathom.
b) From Bangkok, take Highway No. 338 to Nakhon Chai Si via Buddhamonthon and turn into Highway No. 4, then proceed to Ratchaburi.
By TrainRegular trains depart from both Hua Lamphong Railway Station and Bangkok Noi Railway Station daily. Travelling time is 2 hours. Call 1690 for more information.
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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.
The places to visit and the most popular tourist attraction:Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat - is an ancient temple, locally called Wat Na Phra That, is located on the west bank of the Mae Klong River in the town. Its elegant prangs or pagoda remains in good condition and was probably copied from Cambodia's Angkor Wat. The beautiful prang made of bricks and a stone stands on a rectangular base with pathways around the cloisters. The outer stucco designs were made in the reign of King Borommakot of Ayutthaya. Buddha images of Dvaravati, Lop Buri and Ayutthaya periods are placed around the pagoda. The temple is the most famous temple in Ratchaburi because it is the first temple and it has a fascinated architecture.
Murals of Wat Khongkharam - at a Mon monastery over 200 years old and originally called "Wat Klang" or "Phia To". King Mongkut gave it a new name as "Wat Khongkharam". It is located in Amphoe Photharam, some 22 kilometers from Ratchaburi. The beauty of the main shrine hall is very interesting and good for studying about mural paintings.
Nang Yai at Wat Khanon - Nang Yai is located in Amphoe Photharam and it is well preserved at this place only. It is an old form of entertainment which gathers many kinds of arts, for example Thai designs, sculpturing, male performers plus music, mask playing and Thai literature. This is a beauty which is portrayed on the screen and it can dance beautifully to the music and the one who makes it dance. At present, Ratchaburi province is organizing a Nang Yai performance for tourists. There are about 330 Nang Yai puppets all of which are still in perfect condition to be shown on screen. In addition, Ratchaburi has many natural tourist attractions
Bo Khloung Hot Stream - is located five kilometers beyond Amphoe Suan Phung. The stream is full of mineral water. The water flows all year round from the Tanaosi Range. Its temperature ranges between 50-68 degree Celsius. On the route to the hot stream, a three kilometers branch road leads to Namtok (waterfall) Kao Chon, which consists of 9 cascades. The waterfall is plentiful during the late rainy season. Many people come to here; they believe that it can be used for skin treatment.
Kaew Chan Waterfall or Nine-Level waterfall - is one kilometer from Bo Khlung hot stream. Kaew Chan Waterfall’s name was given by Princess Sirindhorn. As the name indicates, the water cascades from the ninth level and down the central valley of steep cliff, especially during the rainy season when there is always a lot of water at the top level. It is possible to walk up to the ninth level and takes about two hours.
Pong Yub - is located at Ban Tha Kheay, turn left about five kilometers before the town center and go straight ahead for further five kilometers. The subsidence of the ground has created a steep cliff similar to the one in Pae Muang Phi in Phrae Province.
Khao Bin Cave - is located about 22 kilometres from Ratchaburi city centre is the mountain range of "Khao Bin", or "Flying Mount" which is home to the cave of the same name. Inside the cave there is incomparable stalagmites and stalactites. It was one of these stalagmites in the shape of a majestic giant eagle with its wings outspread which gave the cave its name. Also inside the cave there is a small mineral spring which villagers believe is sacred Nowadays, illumination by coloured lights helps enhance visitors' view and enjoyment.
Khao Wang - It is a hill that is about 44 metres high and was originally called "
Khao Sattanat". It is located two kilometers west of the town. King Rama V had commanded a palace to be built on the hill and made a royal visit to receive the Portuguese minister in 1887. The palace area was donated by King Rama VII to be used as a monastery, which was later called "Wat Khao Wang". Tourist can get to the hill by cable cars and see from the top how beautiful Ratchburi is.
Khao Chong Phran - This hill is located in Tambon Tao Pun, Amphoe Phothar
Murals of Wat Khongkharam
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am, 17 kms. north of Ratchaburi along the Khao Ngu-Boek Phrai route (Route No. 3089). The roadside hill has 2 interesting caves; Tham Phra Won housing more than 100 Buddha images and Tham Khangkhao or Bat Cave, which is home to some three million bats. As the sun sets over the horizon, they all disperse on their search for food and the mountain looks like a volcano disgorging thick black smoke.
