Phetchaburi (town of diamonds), the main town of Phetchaburi province, is surrounded by impressive mountain chains and lies south-west of Bangkok, approximately 10 km (6 mi.) from the mouth of the river of the same name in the Gulf of Thailand. Khao Khlang mountain with King Mongkut's palace towers above Phetchaburi and dominates the townscape. The temple sites in the valley bear witness to a great past; the Chinese quarter points to the fact that Phetchaburi was once a center of overseas trade. There are some beautiful, quiet beaches only a few miles away.
By car: from Bangkok Highway 4 (about 123 km (76 mi.), alternatively Highway 35.
By bus: from Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal.
By rail: on the Bangkok-South Thailand line.
The town of Phetchaburi was probably founded by the Mon people in the 8th c., although there was an important base here even earlier on the trade route from Europe via India to China. In the 11th/12th c. Khmer people seized the town and established a religious center here. Around 1350 Phetchaburi became part of the Ayutthaya kingdom. In 1610 the town fell temporarily under the control of Japanese pirates whose leaders declared themselves independent princes. That, however, was not in accordance with the quite liberal-minded kings of Ayutthaya who had previously allowed numerous European trading companies to settle here. After several confrontations King Petraja drove the farang (foreigners) out of the kingdom; for the next 130 years Thailand was closed to all foreigners.
Set atop the Khao Khlang mountain, the Phra Nakhon Khiri Royal Palace reflects a European Neo-Classical style of architecture. When the royal family is not in the residence, the Palace is open to visitors.
Wat Yai Suwannaram ranks as one of the most beautiful temples in Phetchaburi. Reflecting the 17th century Ayutthaya style, the temple features a large sala and two interesting libraries.
Already partly ruined, Wat Kamphaeng Laeng lies to the south-east of the town. It has a high Lopburi-style prang built from heavy laterite blocks (12th c.) and to which the door has been added. It is surrounded by three smaller prangs and some small buildings.
After a further 18 km (11 mi.) northwards of Tham Khao Luang Cave,on Highway 4 travelers will reach Khao Yoi, the "mountain of stalactites", with several dripstone caves. Some are used as shrines and are furnished with figures of Buddha.
South of Phetchaburi a road turns off Highway 4 at Tha Yang and passes through cotton fields and sugar-cane plantations to the mountain- encircled Kang Krachan Reservoir. It irrigates the fields and also provides the water supply for Phetchaburi.
Of the countless caves and grottoes found around Phetchaburi, Tham Khao Luang Cave, also a Buddhist place of worship, enjoys most fame (Highway 4 to the west, turn right on to Highway 3173, 3 km (2 mi.)). It comprises several high and wide halls, with a number of Buddha figures in the entrance hall. Steep steps lead down into a very large hall filled with dripstones and countless statues of Buddha. The light entering the hall through holes and cracks in the vault conjures up a magical atmosphere.
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Phra Nakhon Khiri Royal Palace
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