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Chanthaburi Information |
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Within Town and Nearby
The Chanthaburi City Pillar
and the Taksin Maharat Shrine
are located on Tha Luang Road in front of the Taksin Military
Barracks within town limit. Opposite stands an old building erected
during the reign of King Rama VI which was formerly the town hall. The
Taksin barracks are situated in an area where the old town once stood.
There are ancient temples in town such as Wat Bot Muang and Wat Klang.
Located in the public park near the town hall on Liap Noen Road, is
the Taksin Maharat Memorial. The equestrian statue is guarded by
statues of his four royal guards. the expression on the king's face
clearly shows the resoluteness and determination to carry out the task
of restoring the national independence. The large pond in the park
serves as a popular recreation area and is stocked with a large
variety of fish.
Si Chan Road
is the commercial area and centre of gem business. Even though
actual gem-mining in the province is not as extensively as it used to
be, Chanthaburi remains a major centre for gem dealings with stones
from neighbouring countries and abroad being bought and sold. The Gems
Market during the mornings of Friday, Saturday and Sunday attracts
large crowd of gem dealers and visitors alike. Going across the
Chanthaburi River from Si Chan Road and taking a left turn 1 kilometre
from the bridge, 800 meters off the main road is Wat Phai Lom. The
Rama III-era ubosot features wall murals on all four sides portraying
the story of Lord Buddha with Chinese floral designs as well as
illustrations of foreigners with must have been commissioned after the
time of his reign. There is also a ubosot of western architectural
influence attesting to Chanthaburi's artistic and cultural contact
with the western world.
The Catholic Church
on Chanthanimit Road on the river bank is the largest Catholic
edifice in Thailand. Built in 1909, it is of Gothic architectural
style. The original tall roof was taken down during World War II to
make it less conspicuous as a possible target.
Wat Thong Thua
4 kilometres from town on Sukhumvit Highway, is the site of an
ancient Bot which was built over a Khmer-style temple. It also has a
large collection of ancient Khmer sculptures such as lintels,
sandstone door columns carve in various designs and inscription stone.
Nearby is the Muang Phaniat archaeological site with its remains of
laterite base of a large Khmer religious sanctuary and moats marking
the town limit the south. The ancient town is believed to have been
dated from the 12th-16the centuries B.E. (Buddhist Era). Now within
the grounds of the Rambhai Barni Rajabhat Institute, Wang Suan Ban
Kaeo used to be the residence of the late Queen Rambhai Barni, royal
consort of King Rama VII. She was instrumental in developing the local
Chanthabun mats made from reed. Today, the palace houses her personal
effects and products made from the Kok reeds and Chanthabun mats of
lovely patterns. Visitors need to apply for entry permission in
advance by calling the Institute at (039) 335408-10. |
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THA MAI THUNG WIMAN ROUTE
Located
at Ban Samet Ngam about 8 kilometres to the southwest of the
provincial town is an archaeological site where remains of many old
vessels have been found. The vicinity is also dotted with a number of
square-shaped basins along the shore indicating they might have been a
boat -building site. It is believed that the forces of King Taksin
constructed their war vessels around here in preparation to liberating
Ayutthaya after its fall.
Wat Phlup
at Tambon Bang Kacha to the southwest of town was the site of
an old community during the late Ayutthaya period. Special features
are two ancient pagodas of different styles and an old Thai wooden
pavilion. The ancient site of Khai Noen Wong, also at Tambon Bang
Kacha, was established as the town in circa 1834 during the reign of
King Rama III. The town was moved from Ban Lum to this location
because of its high grounds which were more suitable for defensive
purposes against the invading Vietnamese. The laterite walls and
bricks from the old town were also dismantled and moved to the new
site. A serve drought during the reign of King Rama V forced its
return to the original site at Ban Lum. 1The old town at Khai Noen
Wong was square-shaped with extensive laterite walls mounted with
large cannons. Each side had its own ramparts and defensive moats. It
was regarded as a powerful military camp of the time. The town's
principal temple was Wat Yothanimit. Soon to be established as a
national maritime museum, the Underwater Archaeological Office is
located within Khai Noen Wong specialising in exhibits on Thailand's
merchant marine and items discovered from underwater archaeological
explorations from all over the country. There are also exhibits of
ancient sailing routes and products. An exhibition chamber deals with
the history and culture of the people of Chanthaburi.
Using the Tha Mai-Bang Kachai route cars can easily access the Khao
Laem Sing Forest Park, some 25 kilometres from Tha Mai. The route
passes through Wat Khao Laem Sing right up to the park headquarters on
a hill. Alternatively, visitors can charter a boat from Laem Sing
beach to Ao Krathing Beach, just 400 metres away, and walk up to the
park. Camping is allowed on application. Khao Laem Sing is a small
hill 172 metres above the sea. Located to the east of the mouth of the
Chanthaburi River, it has a cape jutting into the sea which looks like
a sprawling lion. There is an old fortification called Pom Phairi
Phinat built during the reign of King Rama III.
Hat Ao Yang
is a small beach some 2 kilometres before the park. Cool and
shady, it offers accommodation facilities for visitors. Hat Khung
Wiman, Hat Khung Kraben, Hat Laem Sadet and Hat Chao Lao are all
peaceful beaches in Tha Mai district and clustered in an area about 30
kilometres from town. At Km. 310 of Highway No. 3 is a right turn into
Highway No. 3399 which leads to the area. Or one can proceed from Tha
Mai district on the route passing through Wang Tanot dam. There are
accommodation facilities for tourists, particularly at Hat Chao Lao
where there are several hotels and bungalows to choose from. About one
kilometre off shore from Hat Chao Lao are ranges of shallow water
coral reefs covering an area of 14 square kilometres. Glass-bottomed
boats are available. Over at Ao Khung Kraben are nature trails to
study mangrove areas. |
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RAYONG CHANTHABURI ROUTE
Tham Khao Wong
at Ban Khao Wongkot, Kaeng Hang Maeo district, is part of the
Khao Chamao-Khao Wong National Park. About 40 kilometres before
reaching Chanthaburi town on Highway No.3 at Km. 286 (Ban Kong Din) is
a left turn to the park, 11 kilometres further on. Or take a turn at
Km. 288 (Talat Na Yai Arm) instead. From the cave proceed on foot to
see the caves themselves. Advice could be obtained from park
officials. Khao Wong is a group of limestone hills standing in
circular cluster with cliffs and caves containing stalagmites and
stalactites. There are passages connecting some of the chambers. The
walking trails outside offer views of varied plantlife. For those
intending to explore the caves, torches are advisable as there are no
natural lights inside. The best time to go cave-exploring is between
February and April, after which they tend to be flooded. |
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KRATHING WATERFALL ROUTE
The Chamsom
Crocodile Farm and Zoo
has a number of crocodiles of different species as well as other
animals. The facility is surrounded by fruit orchards. To reach it go
on Sukhumvit Highway until Km. 324 (Khao Rai Ya intersection) then
turn left and proceed on for a further 4 kilometres. Open daily from
8.00 a.m.-6.00 p.m. Elephant shows every Saturday and Sunday at 12.00
noon and 3.00 p.m. Tel: (039) 324247.
Wat Khao Sukim
is about 20 kilometres north of town. Built in 1966, it houses a large
collection of religious items and valuable antiques donated by the
public. On display are wax sculptures of over twenty Buddhist monks
highly revered by the public. The temple can be reached through three
accesses:- at Km. 305 (Ban Huai Sathon); at the Ban Noen Sung
intersection; or at Km. 324 (Khao Rai Ya intersection) Adjacent to Wat
Khao Sukim is Suan Sadetyat ,an extensive fruit plantation growing
rambutan and durian in the main. During the fruit season of
April-June, it is open to the public. Admission fee includes free
fruit-tasting.
The Khao Khitchakut
National Park
has its head quarters at a site which can be reached by taking
a turning at Km. 324 (Khao Rai Ya intersection) on Highway No. 3 and
proceed on for a further 21 kilometres. The park covers a rich,
verdant forestland of some 58 square kilometres where many herbal
plants are found. It is also rich in wildlife. An attraction is the
Krathing waterfall with its nature trails cutting through all 13
levels of the fall. There are clear ponds where swimming is possible.
Camping is allowed in the park. There are also accommodations for
visitors who should make advance booking at the Forestry Department in
Bangkok.
In addition, the park offers other attractions such as the Khlong
Chang Se waterfall , which is 10 kilometres from the headquarters,
where nature walk is possible. Others include Phra Bat Phluang, 5
kilometres from the headquarters, which is a natural geological
occurrence creating a Holy Footprint-like depression on the hilltop,
to which people come and pay homage during Makha Bucha celebrations. |
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SAKAEO ROUTE
About
twenty kilometres from Chanthaburi on Highway No. 317 is a right turn
to Khirithan Dam, a multi -purpose structure to generate electricity
and for irrigation. The scenery around the dam is relaxing and
pleasant.
Shooting the Rapids at
Khlong Pong Nam Ron
is an adventure travel during the season of July-January. Enthusiasts
will thrill to the exciting passage through streams and rapids, an
exercise of 2-4 level of difficulty. The two-hour trip passes through
verdant forestland and fruit orchards. Contact tour agents or resorts
in Pong Nam Ron district. At Km. 62 on Highway No. 317, about 70
kilometres from Chanthaburi, is a left turn to Nam Tok Khao Soi Dao .
The trail to the 15-level waterfall is amid unspoiled forests with a
large variety of butterfly and bird. As it is a waterfall within a
wildlife sanctuary, visitors are permitted only daytime only. |
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LAEM SING KHUUNG ROUTE
Wat Mangkon Buppharam
or Leng Hua Yi, is a temple in Chinese architectural style. Located on
Sukhumvit Highway, it is at Km. 345 some 12 kilometres from town. A
left turn at Km. 346 on Highway No. 3 is the Namtok Phliu National
Park , covering an area of 134.5 square kilometres along forestland at
Khao Sa Bap mountain range. The 3-level Phliu waterfall features a
basin of cool, clear water for splashing around and plenty of fish
make the flowing streams their home. Nearby are a laterite chedi and
stupa shaped like a pyramid built by King Rama V as a loving memorial
to Phra Nang Chao Sunanthakumarirat, his first consort, who died in a
boat accident. There are two other waterfalls in the park. The Khlong
Narai waterfall, about 6 kilometres from town via Highway No. 3 at a
right turn at Km. 338-339 and two kilometres further away on foot. The
Trok Nong waterfal is off Highway No. 3277 (Khlung-Makham route) with
a left turn at Trok Nong market and a further 2 kilometres on foot.
Hat Laem Sing
is about 30 kilometres from town and can be reached via
Sukhumvit Road on the way to Trat with a right turn at Km. 347, a
further distance of 16 kilometres to the beach. The beach itself is
shaded with pine trees lining the entire shore and cooled by constant
gentle breezes. There are food shops and boats for rent to visit two
nearby isles, Ko Chula and Ko Nom Sao. The trip takes 30 minutes and
one hour respectively. The notorious Khuk Khi Kai, just before Laem
Sing beach, was built to hold Thais who were against the French
occupation of Chanthaburi in 1893. A 7-metre high, square-shaped
prison, it was built in bricks with each side measuring 4.40 metres.
The walls were holed for ventilation. The porous roof is said to have
been used as chicken coop through which the birds dropped their
excrements.
Tuk Daeng
near Khuk Khi Kai is the site of the Phikhat Patchamit Fort
built in the reign of King Rama III. It was subsequently turned into
living quarters and military command post by the French. A single
storey, red-tiled roof building, today it serves as the Laem Sing
district public library. Just before Laem Sing beach is the Oasis Sea
World which attracts visitors who delight in watching the exciting
dolphin shows. Also on hand are butterfly farm and other animals. The
dolphins are mainly those accidentally caught in fisherman's nets in
the Gulf of Thailand. Trained by Thai experts, they are now capable of
showing off their high degree of ability. There are five shows daily.
Tel: (039) 363238-9. |
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Information
provided by T.A.T
(Tourism Autority of Thailand) |
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