Ratchaburi is a very old city going back to ancient times. It was a town of the Suwannaphum Kingdom which was very prosperous. Ratchaburi occupies an area of 5,196 square kilometers and is located 101 kilometers from Bangkok along Phetchakasem Highway or 80 kilometers along the Highway No.35 (the Thon Buri-Pak Tho Highway).

Ratchaburi is administratively divided into nine Amphoes: Muang, Photharam, Damnoen Saduak, Pak Tho, Chom Bung, Bang Phae, Wat Phleng, Suan Phung and Ban Pong.

What to see and what to do in Ratchaburi?

More : A recent updated travel account of Ratchaburi : Wat Khanon (Nang Yai Puppets), Wat Khongkharam (mural paintings)

Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat is an ancient monastery located in Amphoe Muang. It has a prang constructed during the prosperous old Khmer era when they ruled the Suwannaphum Kingdom. The prang has the characteristics of Phra That of Angkor Wat.

Khao Kaen Chan is located in Amphoe Muang and it is 141 meters high. There is a road to its peak where a vihara houses Phra Phuttha Nirarokhantarai Chaiwat Chaturathit Buddha image.

Tham Chomphon Arboretum is located in Amphoe Chom Bung 30 kilometers west of the provincial. The cave was originally called Tham Mutchalin. It is located in a mountain which is 191 meters high situated in the township area. In 1895 King Chulachomklao and Queen Si Phatcharin made a royal visit and they liked the beauty of this cave very much thus giving a new name to it, "Tham Chomphon". There are beautiful stalactites and stalagmites in the cave which also houses a medium sized Reclining Buddha. In front of the Comphon Cave lies an arboretum having various species of plants and trees. It is a suitable place for relaxing.

Pong YupPhung is located 29 kilometers the road leading to Tambon Tha Khoei. This piece of land has sunk down causing a high cliff outbreak with earthen pillars similar to those found at Phae Muang Phi in Changwat Phrae.

Hot Stream is situated in the area of Bo Khlung, Amphoe Suan Phung. Its source is in the Tanaosi Mountain Range. The stream flows all the year round and its temperature ranges between 120-136 degrees Fahrenheit (50-68 degrees Celcius).

Murals of Wat Khongkharam is a Mon monastery over 200 years old and was originally called "Wat Klang" or "Phia Td'. King Mongkut renamed it "Wat Khongkharam". The beautiful main shrine hall is very interesting and worth studying. Wat Khongkharam is located in Amphoe Photharam, some 22 kilometers from Ratchaburi.
(more : Mural paintings at Wat Khongkharam)

Nang Yai at Wat Khanon is located in Amphoe Photharam. Nang Yai is well preserved at this place only. Nang Yai is an old form of entertainment which is made up of many kinds of arts, for example, many Thai designs, sculpturing, male performers plus music, mask play and Thai Literature. These beautiful shadow puppets are portrayed on a screen and can dance beautifully to music with the help of the puppeteer. Ratchaburi province has a Nang Yai performance for tourists. There are about 330 Nang Yai puppets all of which are still in perfect condition.
(more : Nang Yai Shadow Puppet Drama at Wat Khanon, with images)

Damnoen Saduak, Rachaburi

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

This is alternatively called, by the villagers, Khlong Lat Phli Floating Market and is located approximately 400 meters from the Amphoe Damnoen Saduak Office. One can hire a boat from Potchawan Landing or from Seri Khemi Kaset Landing to view the floating market which takes place from 06:00 - 11:00 hours.