Chanthaburi

Chanthaburi (Thai: จันทบุรี) is a province (changwat) of Thailand. It is located in the east of Thailand, at the border to Battambang and Pailin of Cambodia and the shore to the Gulf of Thailand. The neighboring provinces are Trat in the east and Rayong, Chonburi, Chachoengsao and Sa Kaeo.

History

After the Paknam crisis in 1893 the French colonist troops occupied Chanthaburi, returning it in 1905 when Thailand gave up ownership of the western part of Cambodia. A significant minority of Chanthaburi citizens are native Vietnamese, who came there in three waves - first in the 19th century during an anti-Catholic persecution in Cochin China, a second wave came in the 1920s to 1940s fleeing from French Indochina, and a third one after the communist victory in Vietnam in 1975. Thus the town of Chanthaburi is the seat of a Bishop of Chanthaburi since 1944.

The province is subdivided in 10 districts (amphoe). These are further subdivided into 76 subdistricts (tambon) and 690 villages (muban).
Mueang Chanthaburi
Khlung
Tha Mai
Pong Nam Ron
Makham
Laem Sing
Soi Dao
Kaeng Hang Maeo
Na Yai Am
Khao Khitchakut

Sights

King Taksin the Great Shrine (ศาลสมเด็จพระเจ้าตากสินมหาราช): The shrine is a nonagonal building with a roof taking the shape of a royal hat with a pointed spire constructed in 1920 A.D. It houses a statue of King Taksin the Great to whom a large number of people come to pay respect each day.
City Pillar Shrine (ศาลหลักเมืองจันทบุรี): The shrine is assumed to have been originally built of laterite though it is unknown how it looked like. The present shrine and city pillar were constructed in 1981 and have undergone restoration.
King Taksin the Great Monument (พระบรมราชานุสาวรีย์สมเด็จพระเจ้าตากสินมหาราช): The monument of King Taksin the Great accompanied by his 4 trusted soldiers in memorial of the historic liberation of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya is situated on an islet in the middle of the swamp.
Si Chan Road (ถนนศรีจันทร์) 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.
Wat Phai Lom (วัดไผ่ล้อม) Concerning the architecture, the building is surrounded by a boundary wall in four directions with an entrance on each side. Behind the temple, there is a corridor supported by five pillars without decorative capitals. The building’s base line is straight, and there is a pagoda with twelve-redented corners within the wall.
The Catholic Church Chanthaburi (โบสถ์คาทอลิกจันทบุรี หรือ อาสนวิหารพระนางมารีอาปฏิสนธินิรมล): According to history, the construction of this old and large Catholic Church took 275 years to complete. It was built into the Gothic architecture with beautiful stained glass decorations depicting Christian saints.
Wang Suan Ban Kaeo (วังสวนบ้านแก้ว) The palace used to be a royal residence of Queen Rambhai Barni, the Royal Consort of King Rama VII. It also served as the Queen’s office and demonstration centre where plants were grown and animals raised for the local people.
Wat Phlap (วัดพลับ) The hall was also used as the place to hold the Ceremony of Murathaphisek or making sacred water - water for pouring over the king’s head in the coronation ceremony or other royal rituals - at the beginning of the Chakri Dynasty. Furthermore, behind the temple, there used to be a “Sam Sang”, an ancient crematorium which is believed to have remained only in this temple.
Wat Thong Thua (วัดทองทั่ว) 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. Nearby is the Mueang Phaniat archaeological site with its remains of laterite base of a large Khmer religious sanctuary and moats marking the town limit the south.
Boran Sathan Mueang Phaniat (โบราณสถานเมืองเพนียด) It is assumed that this monument might be the original settlement of Chanthaburi City in an early age, about a thousand years ago. Nowadays, only a ruined sandstone wall and an unidentified earth mound with a height of about 1 - 3 metres remains.
Wat Bot Mueang (วัดโบสถ์เมือง): It is believed to have been constructed in the late Ayutthaya period as evident from its white sandstone boundary markers as well as ordination hall (Phra Ubosot) and Ceylonese bell-shaped Chedi. The temple also houses a lintel of the late Baphuon style (967–1080 A.D.) depicting the God Indra on his Airavata elephant in a niche.
King Taksin Shipyard (อู่ต่อเรือพระเจ้าตาก) or Samet Ngam Shipyard (อู่ต่อเรือเสม็ดงาม): From underwater archaeological excavations and examination, several rectangular dock-like areas were found along the shore as well as parts of an old ship believed to be a three-masted Chinese junk using a rudder and measuring 24 metres long and 5 metres wide.
Boran Sathan Khai Noen Wong (โบราณสถานค่ายเนินวง) The camp space contains an area of the Underwater Archaeology Unit, Fine Arts Department, a storage place of artefacts and pottery taken from the Australian Tide Ship, which trespass Thailand’s waters in the Gulf of Thailand to illegally transport antiques out of the country.
Panichnavee National Museum (พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติพาณิชย์นาวี): Located within Noen Wong Fort, the 2-storeyed twin building puts on an exhibition on Thai merchant marine as evidenced by over 20 years of underwater archaeological studies.
Chedi Yot Khao Phloi Waen (เจดีย์ยอดเขาพลอยแหวน): The round Ceylonese-style Chedi contains the Lord Buddha’s relic. There is also a Mondop housing the Buddha’s footprint built in 1928 to replace the original one that had been broken.
Wat Takat Ngao (วัดตะกาดเง้า): It contains a scripture hall or Ho Trai built in the middle of a pond by an artisan of the royal school toward the end of King Rama III’s reign.
Khao Laem Sing Forest Park (วนอุทยานเขาแหลมสิงห์): It covers a total land and marine area of 9,500 rai, including dry evergreen forest and beach forest which are home to important flora and fauna. Marine life can be found on beaches and islands.
Khao Laem Sing (เขาแหลมสิงห์) a small hill located 172 metres above sea level, with a pile of rocks that look like a crouching lion at the front and that gave it the name Khao Laem Sing or the hill of a lion cape.
In front of Ao Krathing is Ko Nom Sao (เกาะนมสาว), which covers an area of approximately 150 rai of wild and densely growing plants. There are steep cliffs in the south, and beaches and coral reefs of some 500 metres long ideal for diving in the north.
Ao Yang (อ่าวยาง) a small shady beach near Ao Krathing.
Ko Chula (เกาะจุฬา) a small island with beautiful corals.
Hat Khung Wiman (หาดคุ้งวิมาน): Located 50 Kilometres from Chanthaburi in Amphoe Na Yai Am.
Laem Sadet–Ao Khung Kraben (แหลมเสด็จ–อ่าวคุ้งกระเบน): Ao Khung Kraben also accommodates the royally-suggested Ao Khung Kraben Development Study Centre which won the Thailand Tourism Awards 2002. The centre is responsible for research and study for appropriate development guidelines of Chanthaburi’s shoreline.
Ao Khung Kraben Non-hunting Area (เขตห้ามล่าสัตว์ป่าอ่าวคุ้งกระเบน): The area suffered deforestation 40 years ago and has just recently seen pioneer plants. There are 4 types of forest within the area; namely, dry evergreen forest, mixed deciduous forest, beach forest and mangrove forest.
Hat Chao Lao (หาดเจ้าหลาว): Located 19 Kilometres from Amphoe Tha Mai next to Hat Laem Sadet.
Laem Sadet Arboretum (สวนรุกขชาติชายหาดแหลมเสด็จ): 25 Kilometres from Amphoe Tha Mai, the picturesque small beach is shady with pine trees and several beach plants.
Khao Chamao–Khao Wong National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาชะเมา–เขาวง) the headwater of Lam Nam Prasae–Rayong’s principal river, covering a total area of approximately 83 square kilometres in Amphoe Khao Chamao, Rayong Province, and Amphoe Kaeng Hang Maeo, Chanthaburi Province.
Tham Khao Wong (ถ้ำเขาวง): surrounded by limestone mountains and evergreen forest which is a habitat of Chan Pha (Dracaena loureiri Gagnep.)–an endangered species of wild animal. More than 80 caves have been discovered in this area with a complex of some 20 connected caves divided into 3 zones.
Wat Khao Sukim (วัดเขาสุกิม): The objective of the temple is to be used as a meditation venue. The temple also 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.
Khao Khitchakut National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาคิชฌกูฏ): Its moist evergreen forests, hill evergreen forest as well as deciduous forest abound in various herbs, wild orchids, and the rare eaglewood. Its mountainous area provides home for copious wild animals. Places of interest within the national park include:
Namtok Krathing (น้ำตกกระทิง) a large 13-tiered waterfall originating from the Khitchakut Range. There are bamboo forests and various plant species along the way, with a blanket of moss and ferns on both sides. There is also a large beach formed by sand washed down by a flash flood in 1999.
Yot Khao Phrabat (ยอดเขาพระบาท) Interesting spots on top of Khao Phrabat are formed by geological phenomena and related to Buddhist legends such as Sila Chedi, the Buddha’s footprint, stone in the shape of an overturned alms bowl, Tham Ruesi or hermit cave, God Indra’s carriage racing ground, and stones in the shape of a giant turtle and elephant.
Namtok Khlong Chang Se (น้ำตกคลองช้างเซ) located some 10 Kilometres from the national park’s headquarters on the way up the Khao Phrabat. It is a circular nature trail starting from the Safeguard Unit.
Namtok Khlong Krasan (น้ำตกคลองกระสัน) a large waterfall amid shady surroundings located near Safeguard Unit 2 (Khlong Phaibun) 8 Kilometres from the national park’s headquarters.
Chanthaburi Herbal Garden (สวนสมุนไพรจันทบุรี) an agency under the Medical Science Department, Ministry of Public Health, located 25 Kilometres from Chanthaburi provincial town.
Khiri Than Dam (เขื่อนคีรีธาร) is a multi-purpose dam for electricity generation, irrigation, fishery, as well as, prevention and alleviation of floods in the rainy season. Its highest altitude for water is 205 metres from sea level, with a carrying capacity of approximately 76 million cubic metres.
Chong Phakkat Thai-Cambodian Border Market (ตลาดชายแดนไทย-กัมพูชา ช่องผักกาด) located at Ban Khlong Yai, Mu 4 Tambon Khlong Yai, 30 Kilometres from Pong Nam Ron District Office, 20 Kilometres from Pailin and 68 Kilometres from Preah Tabong in Cambodia.
Ban Laem Thai-Cambodian Border Market (ตลาดชายแดนไทย-กัมพูชา บ้านแหลม) located at Ban Laem, Mu 4 Tambon Thep Nimit, 46 Kilometres from Pong Nam Ron District Office.
Namtok Hin Dat (น้ำตกหินดาด) The 12-tiered waterfall is surrounded by an intact evergreen forest, with its 9th-12th tiers being especially breathtaking.
Namtok Khao Soi Dao (น้ำตกเขาสอยดาว) The waterfall has 16 tiers with a large swarm of butterflies ideal for butterfly watching and plant study.
Wat Mangkon Buppharam or Wat Leng Hua Yi (วัดมังกรบุปผาราม หรือ วัดเล่งฮัวยี่) There is a reception hall and ordination hall, decorated with mosaics in different beautiful patterns.
Namtok Phlio National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติน้ำตกพลิ้ว) covering a total area of 84,063 rai with various species of flora such as Khanun Pa, Krathon Pa, Phimsen, etc., and fauna, the most frequently seen including boar, serow, mongoose, ground squirrel, Asiatic black bear, gibbon, monkey, etc. It is also home to several kinds of fish.
Namtok Khlong Narai (น้ำตกคลองนารายณ์) otherwise known as “Namtok Khao So Bap”, located some 8 Kilometres from the provincial town on the Chanthaburi – Laem Sing route.
Namtok Phlio (น้ำตกพลิ้ว) It is a medium-scale waterfall originating from an underground stream that springs and cascades over the cliff down to a pool below. Before reaching the waterfall, there is a pool which is a natural habitat of soro brook carp that reside in the stream of waterfalls in some regions only. There are also 2 important monuments within the waterfall area including:
Alongkon Chedi (อลงกรณ์เจดีย์) built from laterite in 1876 A.D. by King Rama V in memory of the king’s and his beloved consort’s, Queen Sunantha Kumarirat, visit to the waterfall in 1874.
Phranang Ruea Lom Pyramid (ปิรามิดพระนางเรือล่ม) a pyramidal stupa built from granite in 1881 in memory of the affectionate love of King Rama Ⅴtoward Queen Sunantha who was killed in a boat accident on the Chao Phraya River.
Namtok Trok Nong (น้ำตกตรอกนอง) The waterfall has 3 tiers. The 1st tier is known as “Namtok Mai Si” (Mai Si refers to bamboo). The 2nd tier is called “Namtok Klang” which is about 1 Kilometres away from the 1st tier. The 3rd tier is “Namtok Trok Nong” located about 1 Kilometres from the 2nd tier and cascades down a cliff of approximately 20 metres high.
Phuttha-utthayan Wat Chak Yai (พุทธอุทยานวัดชากใหญ่) It is a Buddhist park featuring a fine sculptural exhibition of the Life of the Lord Buddha with narrative signs.
Khuk Khi Kai (คุกขี้ไก่) 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.
Tuk Daeng (ตึกแดง)' A single storey, red-tiled roof building, today it serves as the Laem Sing district public library.
Hat Laem Sing (หาดแหลมสิงห์) The beach itself is shaded with pine trees lining the entire shore and cooled by constant gentle breezes.
Oasis Sea World (โอเอซิส ซี เวิลด์) It is the place to reproduce and conserve dolphins in Chanthaburi’s watercourses.
Hot Springs (บ่อน้ำพุร้อน) 3 natural hot springs surrounded by longan and durian orchards, located 18 Kilometres from Amphoe Pong Nam Ron on Highway No. 3193.
“Manut Boran” Archaeological Site (สถานโบราณคดี “มนุษย์โบราณ”) excavation site located 25 Kilometres from Amphoe Pong Nam Ron. Prehistoric human skeletons, stone tools, artefacts, pottery and ornaments of some 4,000 years old, now removed from the pits, were unearthed.
Khao Sip Ha Chan National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาสิบห้าชั้น) or Namtok Nam Pen (น้ำตกน้ำเป็น) Places of interest include waterfalls like Namtok Saba, Namtok I Kek and especially Namtok Khao Sip Ha Chan, a breathtaking 15-tiered waterfall with water all year round.

NAKHONSAWAN

General Information
Nakhon Sawan Province, also known as “ Pak Nam Pho ” is where the rivers of Ping, Wang, Yom, and Nan converge and form the Chao Phraya River, the most important waterway of Thailand.
Nakhon Sawan is in the lower northern part of the country between the North and the Central Region. It is regarded as “the doorway to the North” and it is the hub of transportation in the Lower North.
How to get there

Car

From Bangkok, take Highway No. 1 (Phahon Yothin Road) to Km. 52 then Highway No. 32 (Asian Highway) past Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Sing Buri, Chai Nat, and Uthai Thani into Nakhon Sawan. The total distance is about 240 kilometers.

Chao Pho-Chao Mae Pak Nam Pho Procession Festival

Chao Pho-Chao Mae Pak Nam Pho Procession Festival is a festival of Thais of Chinese ancestry who live in Nakhon Sawan. The festival has been continued since ancient times. It is held during Chinese New Year (around February every year) to bring good fortune. The festival features various processions such as lion parade, dragon parade, angel procession, the goddess Kuan Im procession, and others going along main roads in the municipality. The festival is famous among Thais and foreigners.

Krabi

(Thai: กระบี่) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand, at the shore of the Andaman Sea

Geography The province is located at the shore to the Andaman Sea and is an area of outstanding natural beauty. Most notable are the solitary limestone hills, both on the land and in the sea as islands. Rock climbers from all over the world travel to Ton Sai Beach and Railay Beach to climb. These beaches form part of Krabi's Phra Nang Peninsula. Of about 130 islands belonging to the province, Ko Phi Phi Leh is perhaps the most famous, as it was the set of the movie The Beach. The coast of the province was badly damaged by the tsunami on December 26 2004.
Other islands include: Ko Phi Phi Don, part of the Phi Phi Islands, and Ko Lanta, a larger island to the south.
The limestone hills contain many caves, most having beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Tham Chao Le and Tham Phi Hua To, both in Ao Luek district, contain prehistoric rock-painting depicting humans, animals as well as geometrical shapes. In Lang Rong Rien cave in 1986 archaeologists found 40,000 year old human artifacts - stone tools, pottery as well as bones. It is one of the oldest traces of human occupation in all South-East Asia. The caves of Krabi are also one of the main sources of nests of the Edible-nest Swiftlet, used to create bird's nest soup.

History The first human remains in the province date back to 25,000 - 35,000 B.C., but the first recorded history dates back to Kingdom of Ligor in 1200, when the city Ban Thai Samor was part of this kingdom. In modern Thailand, Krabi was administered from Nakhon Si Thammarat, even after 1872 when king Chulalongkorn gave Krabi the status of a town. In 1875 it was made a direct subordinate of Bangkok, thus becoming what is now a province. In 1900 the governor moved the center of the province from Ban Talad Kao to its present location at the mouth of the Krabi river.
It is believed that this town may have taken its name after the meaning of Krabi, which means sword. This may have stemmed from a legend that an ancient sword was unearthed prior to the city’s founding.

Transportation

Airplane
Krabi International Airport (KBV) This recently opened airport is about 10 km from the city limits and operates regular flights to many foreign destinations. Thailand's only Seaplane service also routinely flies in and out of Krabi’s islands and Ao Nang Beach to numerous destinations.
Train
Trains from Bangkok and the North, and Malaysia and the South, stop at Surat Thani from where a transfer by road is necessary.
Bus
There are both non air-conditioned and air-conditioned buses to Bangkok and other southern provinces. There are also non air-condition inter-provincial buses.
Roads
There are five major highways linking Krabi’s districts and neighbouring provinces.
Ferry Boat
There are frequent ferry boats to Ko Phi Phi, Ko Jum and Ko Lanta. These usually carry passengers as well as vehicles across the sides.
Boat
There are numerous companies on the island offering boat services around the islands and for those going diving.
Songthaew (public passenger pick-up vehicles)
The public passenger pick-up vehicles, also called Songthaew, are very common in Krabi. People usually use this facility cover their distances within the province.

Tourism Mu Ko Phi Phi (หมู่เกาะพีพี) Located 42 kilometres from the provincial town of Krabi, Mu Ko Phi Phi (Phi Phi Islands) are an archipelago, formerly called Pulao Piah Pi. The surrounding sea is home to a variety of underwater anemones, coral reefs, and colourful marine life. The area is also a popular destination for snorkelling. Attractions of Mu Ko Phi Phi:

Su-san Hoi (Shell Cemetery) (สุสานหอย) Once a large freshwater swamp, the habitat of diverse mollusks of about 2 cm in size, Su-san Hoi features a slab formed from a huge number of embedded various types of mollusks which can be dated to approximately 40 million years ago. With changes on the surface of the earth, seawater flooded the freshwater swamp and the limestone elements in the seawater enveloped the submerged mollusks resulting in a homogenous layer of fossilized mollusk shells forty centimetres thick known as Shelley Limestone. With geographical upheavals, the limestone layer is now distributed in great broken sheets of impressive magnitude on the seashore.

Ao Nang (อ่าวนาง) Ao Nang Beach, is Krabi's most developed beach. Fringed by palms, the long beach is backed by a wide range of accommodation including resorts, bungalows and guesthouses. There are more than 83 offshore islands, which some of them are shaped like a boot, junk, or parrot’s head. Ko Poda, Ko Mo and Ko Thap are popular destinations among tourists for their beaches and coral reefs. They are popular islands for diving and snorkelling.

Thale Waek or Separated Sea (ทะเลแหวก) During the lowest tide of the day, the sea is gradually separated by the white sand and limestone beach that will appear to connect two islands. From being the site of a meditation centre, it is also a place of archaeological interest, dating from the prehistoric into proto-historic times. Stone tools, potsherds, and unbaked clay votive.

Namtok Ron Khlong Thom (น้ำตกร้อนคลองท่อม) This area is full of hot springs in a shady forest. The temperature is not too hot at 40-50 degrees Celsius. The hot springs and cool streams converge on a slope to form lovely cascades with warm water.

Mu Ko Lanta National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติหมู่เกาะลันตา) Covering a total area of 152 square kilometres, Mu Ko Lanta National Park is located in Amphoe Ko Lanta and consists of many islands. Some major islands are Ko Lanta Yai, Ko Lanta Noi, Ko Taleng Beng, as well as, other surrounding islands like Mu Ko Ha, Mu Ko Rok, and Ko Ngai.

Activities

Diving & Snorkeling Diving in Krabi is one of the favorite pastimes of tourists because the waters are home to the likes of friendly leopard and whale sharks, turtles, moray eels and dolphins.
Rock Climbing in Krabi has grown very popular over recent years.
Sea Kayaking With a coastline composed of mangroves, limestone, small coves, caves and islands, and an interior with rivers lined with cave systems. Krabi provides a popular environment for kayaking.
Bird Watching There are many hard-to-find birds such as: Gurneys, Finfoots, Bigwinged Brown Kingfishers, Egrets, Bitterns and Herons etc.
Sailing & Cruising Krabi has plenty of anchorages but usually deserted.
Fishing Fishers catch the likes of marlin, sailfish barracuda and tuna.
Jungle Trekking Krabi’s forests with attractive flora and fauna are popular for trekking. The Khao Phanom Bencha National Park and the Khao Pra-Bang Khram are regarded as the two of the favorites among trekkers.
Golf Krabi has one 18-hole golf course to the south of Krabi town with a new development currently underway by an international group including Colin Montgomery.
Spa There are plenty of spas located in the major hotels and resorts. The treatment normally includes both traditional remedies and modern techniques.

Events and Festivals

Sat Duean Sip Festival or Festival of the Tenth Lunar Month (งานประเพณีสารทเดือนสิบ) This is the southern traditional merit making occasion to honour one's ancestors. Food offerings such as Khanom La, Khanom Chohu, Khanom Phong, Khanom Ba, and Khanom Kong or Khai Pla, are made offer to Buddhist monks.
Chak Phra Festival (งานประเพณีชักพระ) The original waterborne procession, where Buddha images are put on elaborately decorated pulpits on boats are pulled along on the river, has been replaced by a land procession. The festival was formerly accompanied with a performance of traditional boat songs. However, the traditional waterborne songs have since disappeared.
Loi Ruea Chao Le Festival (ประเพณีลอยเรือชาวเล) This old ritualistic tradition takes place on Ko Lanta during the full moon of the sixth and eleventh month in the lunar calendar. This is a religious rite performed by the sea gypsies of Ko Lanta, as well as, from other neighbouring areas, who gather on the beach near Sala Dan Village. They dance their famous "rong ngeng" round the boats of misfortune to be set adrift. Ceremonies feature singing and dancing. This festival is expected to bring prosperity and happiness to the participants.

Folk Entertainment

Like Pa (ลิเกป่า) An adapted play, Like Pa follows the adventures of an Indian merchant from Calcutta who married a local girl named Yayi. The story is then followed by other plays. Like Pa is accompanied by the music of folk instruments such as various kinds of drums, cymbals, and gongs. The lyrics are a mixture of the traditional Manora and Buranyawa songs. With its long history of popularity in Krabi, Like Pa performers are abundant here. It is believed that the play originated in this province. Many companies are still performing this dramatic art such as Mr. Truek Plodrit who won a cultural award.
Shadow Plays (หนังตะลุง) This is an Indian influence. There are many shadow play or nang talung companies in Krabi.
Manora (มโนราห์) The performance is native to southern Thailand, which truly reflects its traditional culture.
Rong Ngeng (รองเง็ง) and Phleng Tanyong (เพลงตันหยง) A Malaysian adaptation, which is of Portuguese origin, rong ngeng is a traditional folk dance and music customarily performed in noble houses. It was later performed by the locals with Thai lyrics called phleng tanyong.