AMPHOE MUANG
TOUR THE TEMPLES VISIT THE PALACES HUG THE COAST OF THE MAE KLONG RIVER.
The city of Ratchaburi, located in the west of Thailand, on the banks of the Mae Klong River, the major western river which is the lifeblood of the many generations of life that reside beside it. It has been the link from past to present civilisation.
Khao
Ngu", and is another example of the unusual art that could be found
during the Dvaravati period. It is believed that after the decline of Koo
Bua, the centre of society moved to the banks of the Mae Klong River.
It was around this time that the Cambodian influence began to spread itself
to Ratchaburi and Petchburi, which can be seen in the pagodas and bas reliefs
in the walls of the temples around "Wat Mahatat Rachaworawiham", where
examples of the distinctive Characteristics of Cambodian Bayon style art
can be found. The temple is located on Khao Ngu Road in Muang Ratchaburi.
But if you really want to know about Ratchaburi, we suggest you don't miss
visiting the "Ratchaburi National Museum". Near the clocktower on
the river's edge. It is open daily from 9.00 am - 4.00 pm except Mondays,Tuesdays
and Publice Holidays and located inside the old Town Hall which almost
80 years old. The museum highlights all aspects of Ratchaburi's history,
including the two most outstanding and widely-recognised features, the
dazzling blade of the Ratchasatra sword, and the "Phra Awalogitaesuwan
bodhisattva" image which is a fine example of Bayon-style
Cambodian art. This image is the best-preserved example of the five that
have been unearthed in thailand. Whichever way you come to Ratchaburi,
if you arrive feeling hungry, take the chance to head down to the market
on the edge of the river. Here you can satisfy your pangs of hunger with
a bowl of the excellent rice porridge and "foi thong" sweetmeat ice cream.
Around the central market in Ratchaburi, there are a lot more places that you must try to visit. For example, the revered wooden image of the venerable monk of kaen chan, or "Luang Pho Kaen Chan" which was carved from "chan" wood, and is housed in Chong Lom temple. The image is respected by all the citizens of Ratchaburi province. Or you can go to see the beautiful Buddha image of Phra Prathan, The biggest in Ratchaburi and housed within Klab viharn at "Khao Lua temple". From here, you can cross to the opposite bank of the Mae klong river, and together look through a magnifier at a tiny figure of a durian moulded into the wall, and above the door of the consecrated chapel, at "Wat Tarn". These tiny figures have their own unique design. If you're still not tired, you ought to try and visit "Khao Wang Ratchaburi" so that you can compare it to Khao Wang in Petchburi. In fact, it is at the wats and temples that many of the most valuable items in Ratchaburi are kept. And yes, there are still many more places of interest to visit-if you have time.
Welcome to Ratchaburi - Things to see & do
Festivals & events - Local Flavor - Province guide
© 2000 Tourism Authority of Thailand
