Thailand Province Detail: 2008

วันศุกร์ที่ 29 กุมภาพันธ์ พ.ศ. 2551

Ratchaburi

-Ratchaburi-

Ratchaburi is one of the central provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram and Phetchaburi. In the west it borders Tanintharyi Division of Myanmar.
“Ratchaburi” means the land of the king.

This town is a fascinating province with fill of cultural heritage, beautiful places, and long historical sites. Ratchaburi covers 5200 square kilometers. It is located 80 kilometers west of Bangkok and borders on Burma to the west having Tanaosi range as a borderline.It has Mea Klong River through the center of town.

The east part of the province contains the flat river plains of the Mae Klong river, crisscrossed by many khlongs. The most famous tourist spot in this area are the floating markets of Damnoen Saduak. The west of the province is more mountainous, and includes the Tanawsri mountain range. As the mountains are made mostly of limestone, there are several caves containing stalactites. Some caves are inhabited by large colonies of bats, and it is an impressive sight when they swarm out in the evening to feed. Other caves like the Khao Bin are accessible for visitors. The main river of the west part is the Phachi River.

At the left bank of the Phachi river the Chaloem Phra Kiat Thai Prachan National Park is in process of being established since 2003: It is scheduled to protect 384.39 km² of forests which had been battle ground with the Communist party of Thailand in the past.

The history of the city of Ratchaburi dates back to the Dvaravati period, when it was an important city of the Mon kingdom. Of the contemporary city Khu Bua nearby only ruins remains. According to legend it even dates back to the mythical Suvannabhumi kingdom predating Dvaravati.

1.1% of the population are members of the hill tribes, mostly Karen living near the boundary to Myanmar. Also some Mon, Lawa, Lao and Khmer minorities live in the province.

Tourist Attraction

Kaew Chan Waterfall or “Nine-Level waterfall”

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Ratchaburi National Museum

Murals of Wat Khongkharam

Nonthaburi

-Nonthaburi-

Nonthaburi is located directly north of Bangkok on the Chao Phraya river. The province is part of the greater Bangkok Metropolitan Area. In most parts it is as urbanized as the capital, and the boundary between the two provinces is nearly unrecognisable.

Nonthaburi was declared a city in the middle of the 16th century, which was previously a village named Talat Khwan. During the reign of King Prasat Thong, a canal was dug to create a shortcut of the flow of the Chao Phraya. The river changed its flow into the new canal, which is still the riverbed today. In 1665 King Narai built a fortress, as the shorter riverway was giving enemies an easier way to the capital Ayutthaya. The town was then also moved near the fortress.From 1943 to 1946 the province was incorporated into Bangkok.

Tourist Attraction

Floating Market at Khlong Bang Khu Wiang

Wat Chomphuwek

Wat Khema Phirataram

Ko Kret

Phetchaburi

-Phetchaburi-

Phetchaburi is located at the northern end of the Malay Peninsula, with the Gulf of Thailand to the East and the Tanaosi mountain range forming the boundary to Myanmar. Except these border mountains most of the province is a flat plain area. With an area of about 3000 km² the Kaeng Krachan National Park is Thailands largest national park, covering nearly half of the province. It protects mostly rainforests in the mountains along the boundary to Myanmar, but also the Kaeng Krachan reservoir is part of the park. The only significant river of the province is the Phetchaburi River.

Several caves are found in the province, most notable the Khao Luang caves near the capital city. Illuminated by a hole in the roof several Buddha statues are placed in the cave.

Phetchaburi is an old royal city, dating back to the Mon of the 8th century. Later Khmer settled in the city, as can be seen by the prangs of Wat Kamphaeng Laeng.

Im 1860 King Mongkut built a palace near the city of Phetchaburi, commonly known as Khao Wang, but its official name is Phra Nakhon Khiri. Next to the palace the king built a tower for his astronomical observations. On the adjoining hill is the royal temple Wat Phra Kaeo.

Tourist Attraction

Hat Puek Tian

Wat Mahathat Worawihan

Kaeng Krachan National Park

Phra Nakhon Kriri Historical Park or Khao Wang

วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 28 กุมภาพันธ์ พ.ศ. 2551

Phayao

-Phayao-

Phayao is one of the northern provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from east clockwise) Nan, Phrae, Lampang and Chiang Rai. In the north-east it borders Xaignabouli of Laos.

The city of Phayao is located at the Phayao lake (Kwan Phayao) in the valley of the Ing River. Three big mountains surround the valley, the Doi Luang (1697m), Doi Khun Mae Fat (1550m) and Doi Khun Mae Tam (1330m).

After Phayao was founded in 1096 it was a small city-state kingdom. In the 13th century it gained enough importance to be equal partner of King Mengrai of Lannathai and the Sukhothai kingdom. However a later king of Lannathai captured Phayao in 1338, and made it part of Lannathai. During the Burmese rulership of Lannathai the city became deserted, and in 1897 became part of the province Chiang Rai. Becoming effective on August 28, 1977 it was split off from Chiang Rai again, and became a province of its own.

Tourist Attraction

Wat Sri Khom Kham

Doi Phu Nang National Park

Phayao Lake in Phayao Province

Analayo Buddhist and Doi Busarakham

Phichit

-Phichit-

Phichit is one of the provinces of Thailand, located in the north of the country. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan and Kamphaeng Phet.
The rivers Nan and Yom flow through the Phichit province, before they join shortly before the Chao Phraya is formed. The province mainly consists of low fertile river plains, making rice and lotus the main crops.

The town Phichit was established in 1058 by Phraya Kotabongthevaraja, and was first part of the Sukhothai kingdom, and later of Ayutthaya.

The name of the main city changed several times. At first it was called Sra Luang (city of the royal pond), in Ayutthaya times it was called Okhaburi (city in the swamp), and then finally Phichit (beautiful city.

Tourist Attraction

The Old City Park

Phra Buddha Ket Mongkhon

Wat Pho Prathab Chang

Nakhon Chai Boworn Forest Park

Chonburi

-Chonburi-

Chanthaburi is a place worth visiting at least once in a lifetime. In the past, Chanthaburi was a part of the great history of Thailand. When Ayutthaya was sacked by marauding Burmese, a group of patriots led by Phraya Tak (later King Taksin the Great) stayed at Chanthaburi to prepare the patriot forces were strong enough to repel the Burmese forces. Time goes on, Chanthaburi is a peaceful city today. It is famous for the good taste of tropical fruits, good peppers or the biggest gem trade market. In particular, there are many interesting and attractive things or places. Fine beautiful beaches, waterfalls, a canal with full of rocks or the rain forest can also be found here, in addition to highest peak in the Eastern region of Thailand, Khao Soi Dao. In fact, there are not only various kinds of products, but also the unspoiled nature with many activities both adventure tourism and eco-tourism such as trekking, mountain biking , rafting or camping, offer to tourists. Chanthaburi is now ready to offer a new way of travelling. Come on, new experiences and impressive moments are waiting for you at Chanthaburi province.

Located at the southeast of Thailand, about 330 kilometres from Bangkok on Highway No. 3. The total area is 6,338 square kilometres. The north of the land is marked by series of mountain interspersed by a flat plain and by the coast and rivers on the south.Until the 1960s Pattaya was a small fishing village, but during the Vietnam war the American troops had a base nearby, and Pattaya became a popular R&R location. The city grew quickly and became the prime tourist location in Thailand.

Tourist Attraction

Khao Kiew Open Zoo

The Million Years Stone Park And Pattaya Crocodile Farm

Pattaya Beach

The Sanctuary of Truth

Mae Hong Son

-Mae Hong Son-

Mae Hong Son is named as the city of three misty season (Muang Sam Mok) located in the embrace of mountains. Here is just a small city with a few road. It is all great in many aspects, natural or cultural. The center of the city is starting point of many tour program. Cultural tour in the city e.g. temples with mixed style of Thai and Myanmar. Adventure tour along the river, elephant riding and trekking e.g. Pai and Salawin.

Most of the areas of Mae Hong Son Province are complex mountain ranges and likely still pristine virgin forest. Of the approximately 6,976,650 rai of national forest reserves, 88.02% is thought to be pristine virgin forest. Mountain ranges run unbroken from north to south with important mountain ranges being the Lao-territory mountains located on the northernmost portion of the province that serve as a boundary between Thailand and the Union of Burma and the Thanon Thongchai Mountains which are in fact three adjoining ranges, the East, West and Central Thanon Thongchai mountain ranges respectively; the West Thanon Thongchai Mountains serve as a boundary between Thailand and the Union of Burma. The mountains in the east of the province serves as the boundary between the provinces of Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai. The tallest point is Mae Ya Peak of the East Thanon Thongchai Mountains in the Pai District in the province's northeast, at 2005 metres above sea level.

63% of the population in the province are members of the hill tribes, among them the Hmong, Yao, Lahu, Lisu, Akha and Karen. Another big ethnic group are the Shan. The province has the lowest population density of all the provinces of Thailand.

Tourist Attraction

Tham Pla - Namtok Pha Suea National Park