Phetchaburi Thailand

Downtown Phetchaburi A local life style along the Phetchaburi River

Downtown Sightseeing

Peaceful downtown Muang Phetchaburi does not look much different from other downtown areas in Thailand although it is historically a very old town. It is still a small town with narrow streets and tradional shops. The Phetchaburi River runs right through the town. It is always busy in the early morning. Local fresh food and produce are abundant. Everywhere you go, Khao Wang memorial palace complex will be magnificently standing tall in your sight.

Taste some “Khaw Chae” or rice in cool water with sweet pork. This snack dish can only be found in downtown Phetchaburi.

Grandpa Yen or “Pu Yen”

Pu Yen is considered a brave old man who lived a sufficient life. He lived in a small boat fishing for a living on the Phethcbauri River in the downtown area. He was recognized by Queen Sirikit of Siam as an icon of honesty, sufficiency, and bravery in the present day.

Monday Night Market

Located just right in the front of Khao Wang, this flea market is huge. It is a relaxing and cheap shopping for local people as well as visitors. Trying some tasty authentic Phetchaburi food can be a good experience.

Blending of Old and New

Because Phetchaburi is a very old town, many buildings are maintained in their old styles, especially the temples. A mixture of old and new houses forms a unique look. Back-packers usually like to stay at Rabieng Rim Nam Guesthouse for a night or two. Tom who is the owner is a tour guide who knows Kaengkrachan National Park very well.

 

To go sightseeing old temples and historical sites as well as traditional shops, please see the downtown map below.

 

Phra Nakorn Khiri or Khao Wang

Phra Nakhon Khiri, locally known as Khao Wang (Palace Hill) was built under the royal command of King Rama IV and in 1860 became his summer palace. It is the well-known landmark in downtown Phetchaburi. The whole compound is comprised of royal residence halls, temple, pagoda, 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 peak of the hill consisting of several main buildings; namely Phetchphoomphairot, Pramotmahaisawan, Wetchayanwichienprasat, Ratchathammasapha and Chatchawanwiengchai Observatory. The original main residence halls 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. There is a temple complex to be admired on the Eastern peak, called Wat Phra Kaew Noi, the royal temple of Phra Nakhon Khiri that was constructed based on the model of the temple of the Grand Palace in Bangkok. Visitors to the palace complex should not miss the panoramic view of the buildings on the nearby mountaintops and Phetchaburi City.

The Ordination Hall and Phra Sutthasela Chedi are also popular attractions. The 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. The Chedi was built from greenish gray marble that 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.

Down the hill on the Eastern side is Wat Maha Samanaram, inclusive history that can be traced back to the Ayutthaya period and the place where murals by Khrua In Khong, a renowned Thai artist are located. 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 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Every year in the summertime, there is a big fair held on Khao Wang historical site. Spectacular colorful firework lights up the night over the hill every night. Spectators can also see cultural plays and art exhibitions, as well as shop around for local products.

Phra RamRajaniwet Modernization

The Magnificent Baroque-style Palace of King Chulalongkorn, Rama V, known as Ban Puen Palace, Phra Ram Rajaniwet is located in Phetchaburi Miltary District, downtown Muang Phetchaburi. King Rama V had it constructed for his retreat in rainy seasons. The palace adopted modern European architecture designed by a German architect named Karl Dohring with his countryman, Dr.Bayer as the engineer.

The palace was constructed to closely resemble Kaiser Wilhelm’s palace in Germany using imported brown roof tiles. The building is two-storeys high with two domes. Unfortunately, King Rama V passed away before the construction was completed. His successor King Vajiravudh continued to complete it in 1916, almost 7 years of construction in total.

On the Eastern side of the building is the magnificent ground-level “Circular Hall” built in perfect symmetry and accented with aesthetic colours painted on each pillar to give a gorgeous classical appearance to the room.

Next to the circular hall is a pair of Baroque designed spiral staircases, spiraling inwards to form the shape of a four- leafed clover with glazed cherubic figurines of boys and girls decorated on each side of the handrails. The upstairs circular hall is comprised entirely of art nouveau design. Graced with the name Phra Ram Rajaniwet, which literally means Royal Residence of King Rama, the palace was considered one of the most splendid and complete in the Kingdom of Siam –former name of Thailand.

The South-facing aspect has adopted the modern European Baroque style with the prominently visible dome called Phra Tamnak Dome. The exterior of the palace is simple looking, but yet boasts the building’s grandeur with elegant artistic details in full display on its door panels and window panes. The spectacular well-decorated rooms to see are; the “Waiting Room,” “Throne Hall,” “Royal Dining Room,” Royal Study Room,” “Queen’s Bedroom,” Prince’s and Princess’s Bedrooms,” King’s Bedroom,” Royal Bathroom, and “ Badminton Court” (the first known badminton court in Thailand –presently converted into a garden.

The Royal Courtyard in front of the palace building is where the monument of King Rama V can be found. Surrounding this are four cannons, each pointing to a cardinal compass direction. The cannons have their own individual names; “Ramasoon Kwang Kwan” (meaning Axe-throwing God of Thunder), “Yommaban Jab Sat” (meaning Animal Catcher), “Loy Chai Khao Wang” (meaning Striding on Palace), and “Kam Lung Phet Cha Hueng” (meaning the power of jealous love).

The price of the visit is 20 baht for adults and 10 baht for children, surcharge with overseas tourists. Service is provided from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Taking photo inside the palace is not allowed.

Living Ayuddhaya Beliefs and Artifacts

Amazingly, downtown Phetchaburi is crowded with beautiful temples. Most of them are old and full of brilliant Thai architectural styles, religious artifacts and art.

Wat Mahathatu

This monastery was built in the center of the town. The main Buddha image in the ordination hall is one of the most beautiful Ayuddhaya Buddha images. Mural paintings and stucco art are wonderful to see. Local drama plays can also be seen at this temple.

Wat Phra Non (Reclining Buddha image)

This temple is located just at the foot of Khao Wang hill, which allows visitors who like trailing to walk down to the temple. The fourth biggest reclining Buddha image of Thailand is housed in a big Wihara or shrine here.

Wat Srabua

This temple is located next to Wat Phra Non on the Eastern side of Khao Wang hill. Its old and abandoned ordination hall is still magnificent.

Wat Koh

The Ayuddhaya architectural styles and the murals of Wat Koh are spectacular. The foundation or base of the ordination hall is curved like a ship-galley –a typical design of Ayuddhaya Era. The murals depict ten previous lives of Lord Buddha and many other Buddhist beliefs.

Other temples in downtown Muang Phetchaburi are also interesting to see; such as Wat Plubplachai, Wat Phrasong, Wat Sheeprasert, and Wat Phetplee. Therefore, a sightseeing tour around downtown in one day may not be enough.

Temples and Arts Around Downtown

A one-day itinerary of temple sightseeing tour around downtown Phetchaburi could be just the beginning of a cultural journey for those who would like to get deeper in touch with Thai art because there are many things to experience and learn; from beliefs to practices, art, artifacts and worshiping –-uniquely Phetchaburi.

Old Temple Tour in Downtown Phetchaburi

Starting from visiting Phra Nakhorn Khiri or Khao Wang Historical Park, it is recommended that tourists visit Wat Mahathat, Wat Yai Suwannaram, and then Wat Kampanglang --the oldest historical site in Phetchaburi. Wat Kampanglang was originally a Khmer Hindu shrine built in the reign of Jayavaraman VII in the Byon period (1157 – 1207 A.D.). Thus, it shows that Phetchaburi was once under the influence of Khmer Kingdom. As a Hindu shrine, there would have been a group of five Prangs in the compound. The principal is in the middle and four minors are at the four corners. These prangs were believed to enshrine the Hindu gods. Siva was in the principal prang, Brahma, Narai, Laksami, and Khantagumara were in each minor prang, At present, there are three of them still remaining.

In the Ayuddhaya period, this shrine was converted into a Buddhist sanctuary. It was renovated, but its laterite rock (brick-red rock) wall was kept in its original state and this is why the temple is so named. Therefore religions, shrines and temples are the origin of art that Thai people dedicate themselves to.

Wat Yai Suwannaram A living legacy from the ancient capital city of Ayudhaya

Wat Yaisuwannaram

This is a temple that tourists must see. This monastery was built in the Ayudhaya Era. It was renovated during the reign of King Sua or King Si Sanphet VII of Ayudhaya.

The gorgeous arts

The architecture, Buddha images, and murals on the wall of the Ubosot are admirable. The magnificent stucco art on the gables was made by great masters of the late Ayudhaya period in the 17th century. The pattern looks so alive as if flapping in the wind.

The legendary axe mark

The magnificent front door panels are the most beautiful and perfect wood carvings and gilt work of this temple. It is believed that Burmese soldiers left an axe mark on the door panel.

The Holy Sermon Hall

The sermon hall was built in a classical style. There are some valuable religious artifacts and murals remaining on the wooden walls.

The three-pole library

This extraordinary library is built on three poles in a pond. It is used for keeping religious scripts that must be kept away from insects.

Wat Yai is open for local people for Buddhist practices and welcomes visitors everyday.

Khao Luang, Khao Bandai-it Historical and Cavern Tours

Astounding Legendary of Folklore and the Kings of Siam

Khao Luang Cave is in Khao Luang hill. It is a small hill, about 92 meters high, located about one and a half kilometers to the north of Phra Nakhorn Khiri --Khao Wang. Khao Luang cave is formally called “Tum Wiman Chakri.” This cave is famous among tourists because of its unique open-top hole that lets the afternoon sun light pass through and illuminate the cavern inside. The sunlight produces a beautiful reflection when it touches the cave floor. This fascinating scene has been admired by visitors since it was discovered, such as Suntornpoo –the great Thai poet who traveled to Phetchaburi in 1845 A.D. Also King Rama IV, King Rama V and followers including European visitors liked the beauty of Khao Luang Cave.

Khao Bandai-it Cave is located on a small hill in the same area as Wat Khao Bandai-it, just west of Khao Wang. This temple was believed to be built in the Ayudhaya period. The legend tells that Phra Chao Suea had once come to see Phra Saeng, his teacher, and gave him a Buddha image in the posture of pacifying the ocean. There are three separate small and beautiful caverns in the hill. They are Phrachao Suea Cave storing an old red boat-shack of the King, Pratoon Cave, and Phra Buddhasaiyat Cave.