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AMPHOE BAN LAEM
Hat Laem Luang
This white sandy beach, which stretches for 2 kilometers, is located
4 kilometers north of Hat Chao Samran and is crowded during weekends.
Wat Khao Takhrao
The temple, which is located at Ban Laem District, 12 kilometers
from Phetchaburi City, houses a highly respected sitting Buddha
image locally known as "Luang Pho Khao Takhrao". The image
was found at the mouth of Maenam Mae Klong in Samut Songkhram Province
by Ban Laem villagers, who migrated from Ban Laem to Samut Songkhram
during the fall of Ayutthaya in order to move away from the route
of the Burmese troops.
AMPHOE CHA-AM
 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 serves excellent fresh seafood. Originally a fishing
village, Cha-am received much attention after the royal palace,
Maruekhathaiyawan, was built near Hua Hin in the reign of King Rama
VI. At that time, the Royal Family and the elite occupied the land
in Hua Hin and its vicinity as a holiday seaside resort. When people
started looking around for twin seaside resort town for Hua Hin,
Cha-ams beauty was discovered and quickly developed.
Today, Cha-am is a popular lively resort town offering a large
variety of accommodations and challenging activities. Boredom is
rare in Cha-am as there are a variety of water sports that can be
enjoyed, while a 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.
The State Railways of Thailand operates a special trip to Cha-Am
at every holiday. Detailed information can be obtained from Travel
service Section, Tel. 02 237- 010, 2237020.
Hup Kraphong
This is the place where the Hup Kraphong Royal Development Project
is located. King Bhumibhol initiated the project in 1962 with the
support of Israel to help local farmers experiencing agricultural
difficulties as a result from infertile soil. Several studies on
soil improvement, various crash crops and production efficiency
have been conducted. This is one Thailand's leading Royal Projects
where travelers can visit to purchase farm produce, crafts (usually
made of hemp) and folk art products which have been exported to
many Asian and European countries.
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 designed the palace with a dazzling composition of verandahs
and latticework in regal proportions.
The palace is a two-storied wooden pavilion with a series of connecting
halls and a long corridor leading to the sea. Residential halls
of royal family 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 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.
AMPHOE KAENG KRACHAN
 Kaeng
Krachan National Park
The most extensive national park of Thailand, occupying a largely
unexplored area of 2,915 square kilometers (1.7 million rai of land),
Kaeng Krachan was declared a national park on 12 June 1981. The
park is located 53.5 kilometers from the city and is 3 kilometers
beyond Khuean Kaeng Krachan (Kaeng Krachan Dam).
The park covers a reservoir and year round green jungle in the
Tanaosri Ranges, which are the origins of many rivers, including
Maenam Phetchaburi and Maenam Pranburi. The unexploited, wholesome
jungle makes the park rich in flora and fauna. In addition, visitors
may spot leopards, tigers and elephants. The 18-level waterfall
named Namtok Tho Thip, located approximately 54 kilometers from
the Park Office on the Sai Wang Won-Namtok Tho Thip route is worth
a visit. There are viewpoints along the route are not only suitable
for bird and butterfly watching but also provide magnificent views
of misty mountains in the morning.
For trekking enthusiasts, Khao Panoen Thung (currently being promoted
by the TAT) offers a challenge at a height of 1,207 meters above
sea level. This is a great place to witness the spectacular morning
sea of mist with the best part being when visitors have to walk
down to see the morning mist and then walk back up to the camp.
Other popular activities include bird and butterfly watching and
rafting along Maenam Phetchaburi, which takes approximately 6 hours,
passing rapids and several smaller rivers. The starting point for
river rafting is the park area. Please not that only 4 wheel drive
vehicles can take visitors to the starting trail and that the only
facilities provided are a camping area and toilets.. Please contact
the park ranger for additional information at 032 459293.
Khuean Kaeng Krachan
Kaeng Krachan Dam, which has a height of 58 meters, length of
760 meters, was completed in 1966. This dam was constructed because
the Phetch Dam cannot store water and when the water level in the
Phetch River is too high it has to be released uselessly. Therefore,
Kaeng Krachan Dam was constructed to store water, to be delivered
to the Phetch Dam for distribution into the irrigated area. The
Dam provides visitors with a stunning scenic viewpoint of the reservoir
and its islands while the most popular activity is a cruising trip
on the reservoir.
Natural Pine Tree Hill
This place is located 9 kilometers from the park office along
the road on top of the dam. On the hilltop, there are scenic stopovers,
cliffs and rock garden to visit.
Getting there :Take Highway No.4, then make a right turn at kilometer
186-187 markers and continue for another 30 kilometers.
Accommodation & admission
Kaeng Krachan National Park provides accommodations overlooking
an extensive landscaped reservoir. Book your accommodation in advance
at 032 459293. Admission fee is 200 baht / person.
Rafting along the Phetchaburi River
The trip takes approximately 5-6 hours to complete, depending on
the current. The route passes lush forests and a Karen hill tribe
Village. The journey from Phetchaburi City to the starting point
may take approximately 3 hours on a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Call
02 918 6067 or 034 410695 for more details.
AMPHOE KHAO YAI
BRG Adventure Park
BRG Adventure Park at Khao Yoi offers challenging sport activities
including sliding, crossing a Tyrolean traverse, via ferrata, and
abseiling 100 meters. All activities are under the supervision of
well-trained staff. Contact 02 434 610002 435 5797 for more details.
Lao Song (Thai Song Dam) Tribal Villages
The descendents of Lao Song, whose ancestors have migrated from
Laos, live in the villages of Ban Nong Prong and Ban Thap Khang.
Their customs and traditions have been preserved and are still practiced.
In April, they organize social events with entertainment and folk
plays.
Tham Khao Yoi
This cave is located on the hill, which is clearly visible from
Highway No.4, behind the railway station of Khao Yoi District, approximately
22 kilometers north of Phetchaburi town. It was the place where
King Rama VI practiced meditation while he was ordained. Today,
it houses several Buddha images.
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 entirely from carved
teak wood. The outer surfaces of the walls are carved into scenes
depicting the Ten Incarnations of the Lord Buddha and the door panels
into openwork of intertwined spray patterns.
AMPHOE MUEANG
Khao Bandai It
Situated 2 kilometers south of Khao Wang is the site of an ancient
temple of the Ayutthaya Period Wat Khao Bandai It. This hill is
121 meters high and offers several stunning natural attractions
(caves) such as Tham Prathum, Tham Phra Chao Sua, and Tham Phra
Phuttha Saiyat.
Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park
Phetchaburis well-known landmark, the locally known as Khao Wang
(Palace Hill) is located up on a 92-meter high verdant hill, in
the city of Phetchaburi. It was built under the royal command of
King 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 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. King Rama IV ordered the renovation of the old
pagoda and later added a Buddha image inside. Visitors to the Palace
should not miss the panoramic view of Phetchaburi City and other
buildings on another two nearby mountaintops.
There are several temples to be admired on the Eastern Mountain,
one of which is Wat Maha Samanaram, which has a history that can
be traced back to the Ayutthaya period and the place where murals
by Khrua In Khong, a renowned Thai artist is located. Another temple
located on top of the mountain is Wat Phra Kaew Noi, the Royal Temple
of Phra Nakhon Khiri that was constructed based on the model of
the Grand Palace in Bangkok.
The Ordination Hall and Phra Sutthasela Chedi are also popular
attractions. The ordination hall is a small beautifully symmetrical
structure that is noted for the stucco at the gables, which is said
to be a Phetchaburi masterpiece. In addition, the design of the
Hall was based on King Rama IV's royal emblem. Phra Sutthasela Chedi
was built from greenish gray marble. The marble was first sculptured
into pieces to form a pagoda at Ko Srichang, an island off the coast
of Pattaya on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Thailand, then it
was dismantled and resembled at the Chedi which is on the western
coast of the Gulf of Thailand.
Getting to Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park
The site is located on Phetkasem Road, just one kilometer from
the town entrance junction. It is possible to climb the mountain
by walking or by cable car.
Walking up is a strenuous activity but it is the traditional way
to approach the Park. For those choosing the cable car option, the
fare, which inclusive of the museum admission fee is 50 baht for
adults and 30 baht for children. Service is provided from 8:15 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m.
Phra Ram Ratchaniwet
Originally called "Wang Ban Pun", the European style palace
is situated to the south of the town. The construction began in
1909 at the command of King Rama V to be his rainy season palace.
A German architect, Mr. Karl Deurring designed the palace, while
Admiral HRH Prince Boriphat of Nakhonsawan and HRH Prince Damrong
supervised the construction. The construction was completed in 1916
in the reign of King Rama VI. The place was used to welcome and
accommodate state visitors during the reign of King Rama VI.
 Tham
Khao Luang
The cave is located approximately five kilometers from Khao Wang.
Smaller in size, the cave is regarded as the largest and most important
in the province. This is due to the fact that it houses a Buddha
image cast under the royal command of King Rama V as a dedication
to King Rama III and King Rama IV. At the foot of Khao Luang Hill,
a large monastery locally known asWat Tham Klaep or Wat Bun-thawi
is located. Attractions within the compound are a large multi-purpose
hall and a chapel laden with beautifully carved door panels.
Wat Kamphaeng Laeng
This monastery was originally a Khmer place of worship constructed
in accordance with Bhramanism. Originally, there were five prangs
(Khmer-style pagoda) made of sandstone in the original worshiping
place. When the influence of Buddhism in the region prevailed, it
was turned into a Buddhist temple. A Shrine hall was later constructed.
Today, visitors can only admire the remaining four prangs which
remain next to the sandstone walls.
Wat Maha That Worawiharn
Situated by Maenam Phetchaburi in the town centre, the large white
pagoda of Wat Maha That, which can be seen from a distance, is a
mixture of the late Ayutthaya and early Rattanakosin style with
an adaptation of the prang of Lopburi. This Five Peak Prang housing
the Lord Buddha's relics was constructed according to concept of
Mahayana Buddhism. The elegantly designed stucco decorated on the
viharn and the ubosot is proof to the excellent skill of Phetchaburi's
local craftsmanship.
Wat Yai Suwannaram
Another important temple in the town, Wat Yai Suwannaram is situated
1 kilometer east of the city hall. The temple, featuring a windowless
main shrine hall, houses magnificent 300-year-old murals of mythical
angels. Its Sala Kanprian (multi-purpose hall) which was once located
in Ayutthaya's Grand Palace, was entirely built of teakwood and
decorated with fine woodwork especially at the door panels. There
is also a preaching throne with magnificently elaborated Bangkok
style woodcarvings and gold gilt works located in the hall.
AMPHOE THA YANG
Hat Chao Samran
This beach, which is located approximately 15 kilometers from Phetchaburi
Market, has a history that can be traced back to the Ayutthaya Era.
The name Hat Chao Samran meaning Royal Leisure Beach was derived
as a result of several visits for extended periods of time made
by King Naresuan the Great and his brother, King Ekathotsarot.
In addition, the beach was the most popular one among other beaches
in Thailand during the reign of King Rama VI when he ordered the
construction of Hat Chao Samran Palace in 1918.
Hat Puek Tian
This wide and long beach is popular among local tourists. It is
7 kilometers south of Hat Chao Samran.
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