Phetchaburi Thailand

Welcome to Phetchaburi. You are visiting a very nice destination for you valuable holiday. Phetchaburi is a province of Thailand known by Thais as Muang Phet, a historical town. It is located about 160 kilometers south-west of Bangkok. One of central region provinces in Thailand, Phetchaburi is situated on the western shore of the Gulf of Thailand with an overall area of approximately 6,225 square kilometers, which is quite small. Its terrain throughout the western border, where Tanaosri Range lies as a natural border between Thailand and Myanmar, is mountainous dense jungle. In the east, there is an 80-kilometer long coastline towards the Gulf of Thailand where mangrove forests and nice beaches can be found.

Phetchaburi had been given several names such as Phripphri, Phripphli, or Phetchaphli since it is a very old city that used to be an important royal fort town.  Some historians have gone as far as to say that Phetchaburi could have been named in Indian style, as the Indian influence in those days day was strong. Others put forward the idea that the name Phetchaburi might have named after “Phet River” --the most important river of the town.

Whatever the assumptions are, the fact that Phetchaburi is an ancient city with a very long history is undeniable. This has been proven by many archaeological findings dated back to the Dvaravati Period of more than 2,000 years in the past. During Sukhothai and Ayudhaya Kingdoms, Phetchaburi was a strategic royal fort town in the west. Only a lineage of Kings had the right to rule this historical city. The city has never been destroyed by any enemy. Therefore, many old style buildings remain. This is why Phetchaburi has been called by some scholars as the "Living Ayudhaya" as the town shares many similar attributes to the City of Ayutthaya. The prosperity of the Ayudhaya Kingdom can be seen and appreciated in Phetchaburi's wealth of fine old temples.

In the Rattanakosin Era, Phetchaburi changed its character to a town of charming beauty, with peaceful seaside resorts and superb natural reserves. The three Kings of the Rattanakosin Period, King Rama IV, V, and VI established their retreats here. They built three palaces; namely Phra Nakhon Khiri, Phra Ramrajanivet, Phra Rajanivet Maigdayawan in Phetchaburi. Phetchaburi is thus also known as Muang Sam Wang (the city of the three palaces). The province is also well-known for its splendid historical park, ancient temples, wonderful beaches and caves, as well as a great variety of local food and fresh seafood. Phetchaburi also has a popular resort town, Cha-am, which is the premier beach resort in the province located adjacent to Hua-hin Beach to the south.

The majority of the local residents are engaged in agricultural activities including rice farming, upland crop farming, fruit farming, palm sugar production, animal husbandry and sea and fresh water fisheries. There are three important rivers in Phetchaburi including "Phetchaburi River” with an overall length of 227 kilometers, "Bang Kloy River" in Kaengkrachan National Park, with an overall length of 44 kilometers, and "Bang Taboon River" in Ban Laem District situated by the sea, with an overall length of 18 kilometers.

Because its remarkable history, rich in natural resources, unique landscape and lifestyle of the local people, Phetchaburi is full of attractions that tourists can enjoy and experience.

 

Popular attractions are :

        Cha-am Beach, seaside resort
        Downtown Muang historical sites
        Kaengkrachan National Park nature tours
        Shoreline eco-tours and water-fowl watching
        Palmyra scenic view around Phetchaburi
        Ethnic communities, local lifestyle, and other interests.

 

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