Phetchaburi Thailand

This hill originally called Khao Samana or Khao Khiri, is located in downtown Muang Phetchaburi. The peak is 92 meters high. King Mongkut, Rama IV of the present Chakri Dynasty, built the palace which he could use during his retreat. The construction was completed in the year 1860. It was named by the royal command, Phra Nakhon Khiri, but folks of Phetchaburi call it Khao Wang "Palace Hil.". It comprises royal halls, palaces, wats, and groups of buildings. The complex which was constructed mostly of harmonious Western neoclassic and Chinese architecture tops the 3 large hills. At the temple called Wat Maha Samanaram within the rite hall there are mural paintings by Khrua In Khong, a renowned painter in Thai history. Wat Phra Kaew Noi tops the mountain as royal temple of Phra Nakhon Khiri, a resemblance to Temple of the Emerald Buddha in the Grand Palace, Bangkok. Middle mountaintop locate of a 40 meters high chedi called Phra That Chom Phet. The main building is the museum, which once used to be the residence of the King.

Marigdyavan Summer Palace used to be the summer seaside palace of HMK Rama VI, or King Vajiravudh. Located midway between Cha-am and Hua-hin, this place is surely a worthy place to visit. Visitors will be allowed to get inside and walk around the palace to see the whole area of this beautiful building. This palace is best preserved and truly well-maintained. All visitors surely will be impressed with the whole ambience of this extensive and beautifully set area. Known for convenience as “The Teak-wooden Palace”, this precious building was constructed under the Royal command of HMK Rama VI in 1923 and used as the Royal Summer Seaside Palace during His time.

Amazingly downtown Phetchaburi is crowded with old temples. Most of them are built with brilliant Thai architectural styles, art and religious art ifacts. There is a five-topped prang constructed in accordance with the Mahayana concept housing Lord Buddha’s relics. The stucco designs decorated on the viharn (shrine) and the ubosot (ordination hall) reflect the excellent skill of local craftsmen.

Wat Mahathatu monastery was built in the center of the town. The main Buddha image in the ordination hall is one of the most beautiful Ayudhaya Buddha image that has its own style. Mural paintings and stucco art are wonderful to see. Local drama plays (Chatree play) showing respect and worship the spirit can also be seen at this temple.

Of the many interesting temples in the town of Phetchaburi, Wat Yai Suwannaram to the east of the center is one of the most beautiful. Dating from the 17th c., the oldest buildings are examples of the best Ayutthaya style parviion hall dedicated to his master monk by King Sue of Ayudhaya. It contains 300-year-old mural paintings of mythical angels. The hall also houses a preaching thrones with intricate woodcarvings and gold-gilt works of Bangkok design. The wiharn (shrine) contains murals, mainly horizontal friezes of gods praying to Buddha. The delicate coloring, the self-assured lines and careful attention to detail are striking. Also of note are a marvelous coffered ceiling and the figure of a seated Buddha. During the reign of King Chulalongkorn a gallery was laid out, which is decorated with sculptured lintels. There are two charming wooden libraries, one dating from the early days of the temple, the other from the end of the 19th c. The large sala with its beautifully ornamental decoration and its bold proportions also warrants attention.

Khao Luang Mountain has a height of 92 km and is located approximately 5 km from Khao Wang. This cave had been a royal picnic site since the King Rama IV period rests the Dressing Buddha Image that King Rama V graciously built in memory of King Rama III.

In the afternoon, the cave is beautiful as rays of sunshine illuminate it. From the foot of a hill, there are concrete staircases leading to the cave entrance. This cave is located approximately three kilometers from khao Wang. There are some interesting items to be seen in this monastery such as a hude multipurpose pavilion, and beautiful wood carved door panels of the main shrine hall which was designed and constructed by the Lord Abbot who was a famous artisan. The old legend told by Phetchaburi folks for centuries is that the entrance of the cave at this monastery is the entrance of a twilight zone town where inhabitants are only young maidens.

Khao Yoi Cave isloated in the white eminent limestone mountain close by the road. Inside the cave, there are many Buddha images of several sizes, especially the big reclining Buddha, and the Buddha footprint enshrined in the cave. According to the history, those Buddha images were enshrined long ago before. The abbot of Thai Talat Temple --'Phra Kru On' renovated the place and installed more Buddha images. The legend also says that when King Rama V was in the monkhood, he once made a pilgrimage and stayed for several nights, firstly in front of the hill and lately moved in to the cave, for meditation practice.

This cave is located on Khao Yoi Hill, 22 km before reaching to the city of Phetchaburi. The hill is outstanding on the edge of Phetkasem Road (Highway No.4). Tthe cave is in the east part of the hill.