It is the country’s most fertile land rich
in rice farms and fruit orchards. The region also abounds in tourist
attractions which lie prominently on both natural resources and
historical ancient remains.
BANGKOK
Bangkok was established as Thailand’s capital in 1782. Over the
next two centuries, it developed in many ways reflecting the modern
dynamism; however, its ancient glories were well maintained, especially
in the old areas around the Grand Palace. Today, Bangkok has become
the principal gateway and prime tourist attraction for both domestic
and international travelers.
Attraction Places
ANG THONG
Ang Thong is a small province on the bank of the Chao
Phray River. The former settlement is at Wiset Chai Chan on the
bank of the Noi River. It was an essential frontier outpost of
Ayutthaya when fighting with the Burmese. The majority of the
people was later moved to a new site on the left bank of the
Chao Phraya River during the Thon Buri period.
Attraction Places
CHAI NAT
Chai Nat is located on the east bank
of the Chao Phraya River. The community was moved from the old
site at Sankhaburi in the region of King Rama IV. Chai Nat was
an important town used several times as a base to confront the
Burmese army. Every time, the Burmese were defeated, thus originating
the name of Chai Nat which means a “place of victory”.
Attraction Places
CHACHOENGSAO
Chachoengsao is located on the
bank of the Bang Pakong River. The town was established in the
year 1549 during the reign of King Maha Chakkraphat of Ayutthaya
and originally used as a centre for armed force recruitment.
During the reign of King Maha Thammaracha, the kingdom was in
a weak condition due to being defeated by the Burmese. Phraya
Lawaek, the Khmer king located Thai people from seven towns including
Chachoengsao to be his work force.
Attraction Places
KANCHANABURI
Kanchanaburi is Thailand’s third largest province.
It covers an area of 19,486 square kilometers, most of which
is forested mountains. There are fertile plains around the meeting
point of the Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai Rivers where the town is located.
To the west, Kanchanaburi shares a border with Myanmar and has
the Tanaowsi Range as its borderline.
Attraction
Places
LOP
BURI
Lop Buri, formerly known as “Lawo”, was one of the important
ancient towns of the Khmers from the 10th-13th century. Many
Khmer ruins are found in and around this town. During the Ayutthaya
period. King Narai the Great established Lop Buri as the second
capital with the help of French architects. Most of the architecture
of that time reflects the mixture of Thailand Western styles.
Attraction Places
NAKORN NAYOK
This town is an ancient site of the Dvaravati civilisation dating
back about 900 years. The name “Nakorn Nayok” was first found
in history asian eastern fort town of Ayutthaya during the reign
of KingU Thong.
Attraction Places
NAKHON PATHOM
Nakhon Pathom is a very old city which
has been a centre of the Dvaravati civilisation.
Over 2,000 years ago, a Buddhist missionary from
India was sent to introduce Buddhism and its philosophy
to a land called Suwannaphum, which had Nakhon Pathom as its
capital. Phra Pathom Chedi was the important structure
of the Kingdom. The prosperous city was abandoned
in the 12th century. A new community settled down
after the renovation of Phra Pathom Chedi was completed
in the reign of King Rama V of Bangkok period.
Attraction Places
NONTHABURI
Nonthaburi is situated in a fertile basin on the bank of the
Chao Phraya River. This abundant town is full of fruit and flower
plantations as well as historical temples. The town is only 20
kms. from Bangkok and is conveniently accessible by road or river.
Attraction Places
PATHUM THANI
Pathum Thani is a neighbouring province of Bangkok. It is situated
on the Chao Phraya basin with plenty of canals and orange plantations.
Its original name is Muang Sam Khok, which was founded during
the Ayutthaya era. It was the settlement for the Mon people
migrating from Mohtama (in Myanmar) over 350 years ago. In
the year 1815 when King Rama II made a royal visit to this
area, the inhabitants offered him plenty of lotus flowers which
is the origin of the present name.
Attraction
Places
PETCHABURI
Petchaburi, an important royal fort during the Ayutthaya period, now serves
as a major stop for sightseeing before continuing down south by road or rail
to other beach towns in Southern Thailand. The province is worth visiting for
its splendid historical park and ancient temples, wonderful beaches and caves,
as well as a great variety of local food.
Attraction Places
PHRA NAKHON SI AYUTTHAYA
The ancient city of Ayutthaya, or Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya was the Thai capital
for 417 years. Ayutthaya is located 76 kms. north of Bangkok. It was one of
Indo-China’s most prosperous cities and is one of Thailand’s major historical
attractions. The grandeur of Ayutthaya is reflected by numerous magnificent
structures and ruins concentrated in and around the city island surrounded
by the Chao Phraya, Pa Sak and Lop Buri Rivers. The area, well conserved as
a historical park, has been included in UNESCO’s list of World Heritage since
13 December, 1991.
Attraction Places
PRACHIN BURI
Prachin Buri is located some 134 kms. from Bangkok. Traces of
the ancient town of the Dvaravati period has been found in
the region. The forested area to the north of the town forms a part
of Khao Yai National Park.
Attraction
Places
PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN
Prachuap Khiri Khan is located some 281 kms. south
of Bangkok. After the old town was abandoned during the fall
of Ayutthaya, a new settlement was established in 1845 in the
reign of King Rama IV. The province, today, is more famous
for its natural charm of beaches and mountains than historical
attractions. Hua Hin, its major attraction, is one of Thailand’s
most popular seaside resorts among overseas visitors as well
as Thais.
Attraction Places
RATCHABURI
Ratchaburi, a glorious town during the Dvaravati period,
is located on the bank of the Mae Klong River. The provincial
area abounds in natural attractions and historical sites. It
is located 80 kms. west of Bangkok and borders on Myanmar to
the west having the Tanaosi Range as a borderline.
Attraction
Places
SA KAEO
Sa Kaeo is one of Thailand’s newest provinces upgraded
from a district of Prachin Buri Province in 1993. The town
is 220 kms. east of Bangkok and can be reached either by road
or rail. Dotted in its 165 kms. borderline. Aranyaprathet is
the easternmost border district facing Poi Pet in Cambodia.
It is also the most important channel for trade between the
Thai and Cambodian people.
Attraction
Places
SAMUT PRAKAN
Samut Prakan, also known as Pak Nam, is located at the mouth
of the Chao Phraya River. The town is only 25 kms. south
of Bangkok and easily frequented by bus. Its old community
settled in Phra Pradaeng district during the Ayutthaya period.
The modern town and several fortresses were built by the
command of King Rama II in 1819.
Attraction Places
SAMUT
SAKHON
Samut Sakhon was formerly called “Tha Chin” probably
because, in the old days, it had been a trading port dealing
with a vast number of Chinese junks. In 1548, a town named
“Sakhon Buri” was established at the mouth of the Tha Chin
River. It was a centre for recruiting troops from various
seaside towns. The name of the town was changed into “Mahachai”
when Klong (canal) Mahachai was dug in 1704 to join the Tha
Chin River at the town. Later, the town was renamed “Samut
Sakhon” by King Rama IV but it is still popularly called
“Mahachai” by the village.
Attraction
Places
SAMUT SONGKHRAM
Samut Songkhram, a coastal province at the mouth
of the Mae Klong River, is 74 kms. southwest of Bangkok.
It occupies an area of 416 square kilometers. The area is
a low basin with many canals. The people cultivate various
kinds of fruits such as grapes, lychee, pomelo, guava, and
coconuts.
Attraction
Places
SARABURI
Saraburi has been an important town since ancient times.
It is believed to have been constructed in the year 1548
during the reign of King Maha Chakkaphat of Ayutthaya as
a center for recruiting troops.
Attraction Places
SING
BURI
Sing Buri is 142 kms. north of Bangkok on the west bank
of the Chao Phraya River. It was established in the year
1895 during the reign of King Rama V through a consolidation
of three small riverside towns including Sing Buri, In
Buri and Phrom Buri.
Attraction
Places
SUPHAN BURI
Suphan Buri is an ancient town rich in culture
and historical temples. It is located on the bank of the
Tha Chin River, sometimes called the Suphan Buri River
by its people. Suphan Buri once was an important border
town involved in battles and wars during the Ayutthaya
period.
Attraction
Places
