Ratchaburi

Ratchaburi is an ancient city of Dvaravati kingdom  whose center was Nakhon Pathom.  It is said that Nakhon Pathom was the center of spreading Buddhism.  Ratchaburi city itself had been moved its city center for many years, until 1897 the city center was located at the present City Hall.

The monument of King Rama I is an interesting attraction on the foothill of Khao Kaen Chan, Phetkasem Road.  The monument is respected by Ratchaburi people, and there is also developed to the public park.

In Amphur Mueang of Ratchaburi, there are many historic places which are beautiful and interesting, such as the City Pillar Shrine, Wat Phra Sri Ratana Mahathat, and Ratchaburi National Museum.

A well-known place in Ratchaburi is Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.  The over-100-year market is crowded by wooden boats with multicolored fruits and vegetables.  If you like nature, you can go to Huay Phark Waterfall, which is a small waterfall in Tanowsri Range, in Amphur Suan Pheung.

The important festival is Khao Ho or Ang Mi Thong Festival.  It is the blessing ceremony held every the ninth lunar month.  In the ceremony, people boil Khao Ho which is sticky rice molded and wrapped in a cone shape.

For those who love food, Ratchaburi is famous for producing fresh milk.  The production is operated by Nong Pho Dairy Co-operative Ltd.(under The Royal Patronage).  The milk is high-quality and cheap.

Credits: www.tourismthailand.org