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[ The Chanthaburi City
Pillar and the Taksin Maharat Shrine ]
are located on Tha Luang Road in front of the Taksin Military
Barracks within town limit. Opposite stands an old building
erected during the reign of King Rama VI which was formerly the
town hall. The Taksin barracks are situated in an area where the
old town once stood. There are ancient temples in town such as Wat
Bot Muang and Wat Klang. Located in the public park near the town
hall on Liap Noen Road, is the Taksin Maharat Memorial. The
equestrian statue is guarded by statues of his four royal guards.
the expression on the king's face clearly shows the resoluteness
and determination to carry out the task of restoring the national
independence. The large pond in the park serves as a popular
recreation area and is stocked with a large variety of fish.
[
Si Chan Road ]
is the commercial area and center of gem business. Even
though actual gem-mining in the province is not as extensively as
it used to be, Chanthaburi remains a major center for gem dealings
with stones from neighboring countries and abroad being bought and
sold. The Gems Market during the mornings of Friday, Saturday and
Sunday attracts large crowd of gem dealers and visitors alike.
Going across the Chanthaburi River from Si Chan Road and taking a
left turn 1 kilometer from the bridge, 800 meters off the main
road is Wat Phai Lom.
The Rama III-era ubosot features wall murals on all four sides
portraying the story of Lord Buddha with Chinese floral designs as
well as illustrations of foreigners with must have been
commissioned after the time of his reign. There is also a ubosot
of western architectural influence attesting to Chantaburi's
artistic and cultural contact with the western world.
[ The
Catholic Church ]
on Chanthanimit Road on the river bank is the largest Catholic
edifice in Thailand. Built in 1909, it is of Gothic architectural
style. The original tall roof was taken down during World War II
to make it less conspicuous as a possible target.
[
Wat Thong Thua ]
4 kilometers from town on Sukhumvit Highway, 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 such as lintels,
sandstone door columns carve in various designs and inscription
stone. Nearby is the
Muang Phaniat
archaeological site with its remains of laterite base
of a large Khmer religious sanctuary and moats marking the town
limit the south. The ancient town is believed to have been dated
from the 12th-16the centuries B.E. (Buddhist Era). Now within the
grounds of the Rambhai Barni Rajabhat Institute,
Wang Suan Ban
Kaeo used to be the residence of the late Queen Rambhai
Barni, royal consort of King Rama VII. She was instrumental in
developing the local Chanthabun mats made from reed. Today, the
palace houses her personal effects and products made from the Kok
reeds and Chanthabun mats of lovely patterns.
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Visitors need to apply for entry
permission in advance by calling the Institute at (039) 335408-10.
Located at
Ban Samet Ngam about 8
kilometers to the southwest of the provincial town is an
archaeological site where remains of many old vessels have been
found. The vicinity is also dotted with a number of square-shaped
basins along the shore indicating they might have been a boat
-building site. It is believed that the forces of King Taksin
constructed their war vessels around here in preparation to
liberating Ayutthaya after its fall.
[
Wat Phlup ]
at Tambon Bang Kacha to the southwest of town was the site of an
old community during the late Ayutthaya period. Special features
are two ancient pagodas of different styles and an old Thai wooden
pavilion.
The ancient site of
Khai Noen Wong, also at Tambon
Bang Kacha, was established as the town in circa 1834 during the
reign of King Rama III. The town was moved from Ban Lum to this
location because of its high grounds which were more suitable for
defensive purposes against the invading Vietnamese. The laterite
walls and bricks from the old town were also dismantled and moved
to the new site. A serve drought during the reign of King Rama V
forced its return to the original site at Ban Lum.
The old town at Khai Noen Wong was square-shaped with extensive
laterite walls mounted with large cannons. Each side had its own
ramparts and defensive moats. It was regarded as a powerful
military camp of the time. The town's principal temple was
Wat Yothanimit.
Soon to be established as a national maritime museum, the
Underwater Archaeological Office is located within Khai Noen Wong
specializing in exhibits on Thailand's merchant marine and items
discovered from underwater archaeological explorations from all
over the country. There are also exhibits of ancient sailing
routes and products. An exhibition chamber deals with the history
and culture of the people of Chanthaburi.
Using the Tha Mai-Bang Kachai route cars can easily access the
Khao Laem Sing Forest Park, some 25 kilometers from Tha
Mai. The route passes through Wat Khao Laem Sing right up to the
park headquarters on a hill. Alternatively, visitors can charter a
boat from Laem Sing beach to
Ao Krathing Beach,
just 400 meters away, and walk up to the park. Camping is allowed
on application. Khao Laem Sing is a small hill 172 meters above
the sea. Located to the east of the mouth of the Chanthaburi
River, it has a cape jutting into the sea which looks like a
sprawling lion. There is an old fortification called Pom Phairi
Phinat built during the reign of King Rama III.
[
Hat Ao Yang ]
is a small beach some 2 kilometers before the park. Cool and
shady, it offers accommodation facilities for visitors.
[
Hat Khung Wiman, Hat Khung Kraben, Hat Laem Sadet and Hat Chao
Lao ]
are all peaceful beaches in Tha Mai
district and clustered in an area about 30 kilometers from
town. At Km. 310 of Highway No. 3 is a right turn into Highway No.
3399 which leads to the area. Or one can proceed from Tha Mai
district on the route passing through
Wang Tanot dam. There are
accommodation facilities for tourists, particularly at Hat Chao
Lao where there are several hotels and bungalows to choose from.
About one kilometer off shore from Hat Chao Lao are ranges of
shallow water coral reefs covering an area of 14 square
kilometers. Glass-bottomed boats are available. Over at Ao Khung
Kraben are nature trails to study mangrove areas.
[
Tham Khao Wong ]
at Ban Khao Wongkot, Kaeng Hang Maeo district, is part of the
Khao Chamao-Khao
Wong National Park. About 40 kilometers before reaching
Chanthaburi town on Highway No.3 at Km. 286 (Ban Kong Din) is a
left turn to the park, 11 kilometers further on. Or take a turn at
Km. 288 (Talat Na Yai Arm) instead. From the cave proceed on foot
to see the caves themselves. Advice could be obtained from park
officials. Khao Wong is a group of limestone hills standing in
circular cluster with cliffs and caves containing stalagmites and
stalactites. There are passages connecting some of the chambers.
The walking trails outside offer views of varied plant life. For
those intending to explore the caves, torches are advisable as
there are no natural lights inside. The best time to go
cave-exploring is between February and April, after which they
tend to be flooded.
[ The
Chamsom Crocodile Farm
and Zoo ]
has a number of crocodiles of different species as well as other
animals. The facility is surrounded by fruit orchards. To reach it
go on Sukhumvit Highway until Km. 324 (Khao Rai Ya intersection)
then turn left and proceed on for a further 4 kilometers.
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Open daily from 8.00 a.m.-6.00 p.m.
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Elephant shows every Saturday and Sunday at 12.00 noon and 3.00
p.m. Tel: (039) 324247.
[
Wat Khao Sukim ]
is about 20 kilometers north of town. Built in 1966, it
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. The temple can
be reached through three accesses:- at Km. 305 (Ban Huai Sathon);
at the Ban Noen Sung intersection; or at Km. 324 (Khao Rai Ya
intersection)
Adjacent to Wat Khao Sukim is Suan
Sadetyat ,an extensive fruit plantation growing rambutan and
durian in the main. During the fruit season of April-June, it is
open to the public. Admission fee includes free fruit-tasting.
[ The
Khao Khitchakut National
Park ]
has its head quarters at a site which can be reached by taking a turning
at Km. 324 (Khao Rai Ya intersection) on Highway No. 3 and proceed
on for a further 21 kilometers.
The park covers a rich, verdant forestland of some 58 square
kilometers where many herbal plants are found. It is also rich in
wildlife. An attraction is the
Krathing waterfall with
its nature trails cutting through all 13 levels of the fall. There
are clear ponds where swimming is possible.
Camping is allowed in the park. There are also accommodations for
visitors who should make advance booking at the Forestry
Department in Bangkok.
In addition, the park offers other attractions such as the
Khlong Chang Se waterfall
, which is 10 kilometers from the headquarters, where nature walk
is possible. Others include Phra Bat
Phluang, 5 kilometers from the headquarters, which is a
natural geological occurrence creating a Holy Footprint-like
depression on the hilltop, to which people come and pay homage
during Makha Bucha celebrations.
About twenty kilometers from
Chanthaburi on Highway No. 317 is a right turn to
Khirithan Dam,
a multi -purpose structure to generate electricity and for
irrigation. The scenery around the dam is relaxing and pleasant.
[ Shooting the
Rapids at Khlong Pong Nam Ron
]
is an adventure travel during the season of July-January.
Enthusiasts will thrill to the exciting passage through streams
and rapids, an exercise of 2-4 level of difficulty. The two-hour
trip passes through verdant forestland and fruit orchards. Contact
tour agents or resorts in Pong Nam Ron district.
At Km. 62 on Highway No. 317, about
70 kilometers from Chanthaburi, is a left turn to
Nam Tok Khao
Soi Dao . The trail to the 15-level waterfall is amid
unspoiled forests with a large variety of butterfly and bird. As
it is a waterfall within a wildlife sanctuary, visitors are
permitted only daytime only.
[
Wat Mangkon Buppharam ]
or Leng Hua Yi, is a temple in Chinese architectural style.
Located on Sukhumvit Highway, it is at Km. 345 some 12 kilometers
from town.
A left turn at Km. 346 on Highway No. 3 is the
Namtok Phliu National Park
, covering an area of 134.5 square kilometers along forestland at
Khao Sa Bap mountain range. The 3-level Phliu waterfall features a
basin of cool, clear water for splashing around and plenty of fish
make the flowing streams their home. Nearby are a laterite chedi
and stupa shaped like a pyramid built by King Rama V as a loving
memorial to Phra Nang Chao Sunanthakumarirat, his first consort,
who died in a boat accident.
There are two other waterfalls in the park.
The Khlong Narai waterfall,
about 6 kilometers from town via Highway No. 3 at a right turn at
Km. 338-339 and two kilometers further away on foot.
The
Trok Nong
waterfall is off Highway No. 3277 (Khlung-Makham route)
with a left turn at Trok Nong market and a further 2 kilometers on
foot.
[
Hat Laem Sing ]
is about 30 kilometers from town and can be reached via Sukhumvit
Road on the way to Trat with a right turn at Km. 347, a
further distance of 16 kilometers to the beach. The beach itself
is shaded with pine trees lining the entire shore and cooled by
constant gentle breezes. There are food shops and boats for rent
to visit two nearby isles, Ko Chula and
Ko Nom Sao. The trip takes 30
minutes and one hour respectively.
The notorious
Khuk Khi Kai, just before Laem
Sing beach, 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
meters. The walls were holed for ventilation. The porous roof is
said to have been used as chicken coop through which the birds
dropped their excrements.
[
Tuk Daeng ]
near Khuk Khi Kai is the site of the Phikhat Patchamit Fort built in the
reign of King Rama III. It was subsequently turned into living
quarters and military command post by the French. A single storey,
red-tiled roof building, today it serves as the Laem Sing district
public library.
Just before Laem Sing beach is
the Oasis Sea
World which attracts visitors who delight in watching
the exciting dolphin shows. Also on hand are butterfly farm and
other animals. The dolphins are mainly those accidentally caught
in fisherman's nets in the Gulf of Thailand. Trained by Thai
experts, they are now capable of showing off their high degree of
ability.
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There are five shows daily. Tel: (039)
363238-9.
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